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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
An absolutely beautiful and tragic book, raw and ready to rip open the horrors of the era it is set in. The prose is breathtaking and it absolutely gripped me
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this short, impactful read made that much more emotional by the historical narrative it weaves that is based on many real events with quotes taken directly from real people.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
no
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Please read this book. The Nickel Boys is chilling, devastating, and yet somehow beautiful. Colson Whitehead explores in unflinching detail the horrific abuse inflicted on black boys in a so-called "reform school" in the early 1960s. The author masterfully excavates the connections between slavery, segregation, and current racism. There is no escaping the heinousness of our history and oppression of black people and its lasting reverberation to present times. Colson Whitehead is a critical and courageous voice for our times, when many continue to deny the legacy and longtlasting implications of unbridled racism in this country - particularly towards black Americans. A must read.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault
Pulitzer Prize Winner and the release for the film adaptation is just around the corner. Admittedly somewhat perplexed by the first half (by Whitehead’s design), though its power gradually revealed itself in the second half. However, the final moments reshape so much, and now I’m reconsidering the whole journey. It’s a hat-trick, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.