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sara_toone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
4.0
I feel conflicted. This is an unsettling story, but Whitehead's writing style isn't my taste. It feels flat and clunky at times. Nonetheless, I pushed through and there were parts of The Nickel Boys that I connected with and scenes that I can't shake out of my head. Those are the places where the writing really flowed for me. Not sure if I would give this book a 3.5 or 4. But somewhere in between.
linsfandoms's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
read this for school and wasn't expecting much but this was heartbreaking :( such an important book
sararose_cozy's review against another edition
4.0
I will never not be horrified and dumbstruck by the horrors that Black people have faced at the hands of white people. I truly can and never will understand treating another human being with such animosity and violence. And yet, this is our history from just the last century.
hikikomorka's review against another edition
2.0
Ambitna powieść? Szczyt formy pisarza?
Co najwyżej dobra promocja i modny temat, bo książka jest nieciekawa, a bohaterowie nijacy. Za miesiąc zapomnę, że przeczytałam.
Co najwyżej dobra promocja i modny temat, bo książka jest nieciekawa, a bohaterowie nijacy. Za miesiąc zapomnę, że przeczytałam.
katiegilley's review against another edition
5.0
“Elwood never ceased to marvel how you could walk around and get used to seeing only a fraction of the world. Not knowing you only saw a sliver of the real thing.”
This novel, mostly set in the 60s, is about a reformatory school in Florida and young boy named Elwood. Elwood, exceptionally bright and passionate, hitches a ride to his first college class. As his ride is pulled over by the police, he quickly realizes that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite his grandmother’s desperate search for help, Elwood is sentenced to The Nickel Academy. Elwood quickly learns how he must act in order to survive his fellow “students” and “teachers.” These young men carried their lessons for survival throughout their entire lives.
I am grateful Whitehead didn’t go into extreme detail when describing the horror these children endured, but he gave us just enough information for us to fill in the blanks. When we discuss systemic racism and debate reparations, this (and The Underground Railroad) should be required reading.
This novel, mostly set in the 60s, is about a reformatory school in Florida and young boy named Elwood. Elwood, exceptionally bright and passionate, hitches a ride to his first college class. As his ride is pulled over by the police, he quickly realizes that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite his grandmother’s desperate search for help, Elwood is sentenced to The Nickel Academy. Elwood quickly learns how he must act in order to survive his fellow “students” and “teachers.” These young men carried their lessons for survival throughout their entire lives.
I am grateful Whitehead didn’t go into extreme detail when describing the horror these children endured, but he gave us just enough information for us to fill in the blanks. When we discuss systemic racism and debate reparations, this (and The Underground Railroad) should be required reading.
kathycantread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jmichlig's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
poeticmemory's review against another edition
5.0
i can’t believe i let this book sit unread on the shelf for close to a year. it was absolutely incredible. i was nervous that the prose would be dense but it was so accessible. the plot is so masterfully executed, and i will be thinking about elwood and turner for days.
andyourstruly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
4.5
Colson Whitehead is such an incredible author, it's no surprise that this was another stunner.
It's a little slow to start, but Mr. Whitehead's research, ad always, comes through with blinding glory. His characters are deftly created, and their stories weave together to create a detailed tapestry of day-to-day life at a reform school (based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys). The ending could be pretty easily predicted by the discerning reader, but it was no less powerful for it and gave all the more purpose and meaning to the narrative preceding it. Really loved this book, the story it told, and the way it was told.
It's a little slow to start, but Mr. Whitehead's research, ad always, comes through with blinding glory. His characters are deftly created, and their stories weave together to create a detailed tapestry of day-to-day life at a reform school (based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys). The ending could be pretty easily predicted by the discerning reader, but it was no less powerful for it and gave all the more purpose and meaning to the narrative preceding it. Really loved this book, the story it told, and the way it was told.