Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

7 reviews

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

gabthebookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death

Moderate: Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Police brutality

ominous_emu's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Racism, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Child death, and Confinement

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Classism, Pedophilia, Abandonment, and Cursing

hkesslerjones's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Bullying, Sexism, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

insomniacsun's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Questo è uno di quei libri che necessita di essere letto con calma, dando tempo ad ogni frase, ogni parola tempo per essere assimilata a dovere. Una lettura pesante ma necessaria. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Bullying, Classism, Racial slurs, Blood, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence

annabulkowski's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Gun violence, Death, Confinement, Classism, and Alcohol