Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

261 reviews

elise_nk's review against another edition

This book is beautifully written but it is so heartbreaking. The trauma depicted in the book was too much for my mental state at the time. I’ll certainly pick it up again someday, but for now I cannot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, and Violence

cattpurrson's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Racial slurs

jayisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

Based on the real story of the Dozier School for Boys in Florida during the Jim Crow era, The Nickel Boys was heartbreaking to read, considering the horrors that Black boys faced. Something I really appreciate about Whitehead’s writings is how he shows the lasting reverberations of anti-Blackness in the United States by focusing closely on a specific aspect of the country’s history. Despite the horrors that exist in these pages (and in United States history), I was surprised by the amount of love and resilience that came through. It really made the ending all the more gut-wrenching, especially as you grow a particular fondness for Elwood.

Not that there’s ever a really good headspace to be in when reading such a devastating novel, but I think I could have appreciated this novel more if I had less on my plate while reading it. I felt that I read this in a rush and didn’t get the chance to fully appreciate Whitehead’s efforts. Considering this, I really would like to revisit this novel when I can really put more care into what’s happening.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Death, Violence, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse

carlycompton22's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Poignant look at the perpetration of racism in America through the lens of a boys reform school in Florida during the Jim Crow era. The striking account of the horrors suffered at the school against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and precisely placed MLK quotes create a vivid picture of how ideals crash into reality like oil and vinegar. Slightly lower rating because I listened on audiobook and couldn't get used to the narrator's speaking style or keep track of all the characters well so I think I lost some of the impact of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs

orizenda's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

The ending hit me like a truck. Like even though you’re somewhat expecting it… you’re not expecting that. at least i wasn’t. knowing nothing about the dozier school other than essentially the fictionalized account of it in the reformatory by tananarive due, my heart was breaking reading this and being forced to realize that the fiction may not be that far from the truth these boys had to live. it’s horrific that this is not so far in our history

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Confinement, Child abuse, and Child death

currently_introverting's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Racism

sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Death

Minor: Rape

parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Child death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Torture, and Child abuse

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Bullying, and Medical content

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol

jennswan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse

jlfields925's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Death, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Gun violence