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A review by smblanc1793
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Absolutely heartwrenching, but it’s difficult to say how much of that comes purely from the book’s subject matter and how much of it can be attributed to Whitehead himself.
Not the best written book I’ve ever read, but certainly far from the worst. The characters are well developed for the relatively short length of the book, the plot is solid and harrowing, and the major themes threaded throughout feel, unfortunately, as relevant as ever. What pushed this book above 4 stars for me, though, was the end—a reveal I certainly didn’t see coming and a twist that, in my mind, cemented Whitehead as not just telling a good story, but as a good storyteller.
Not the best written book I’ve ever read, but certainly far from the worst. The characters are well developed for the relatively short length of the book, the plot is solid and harrowing, and the major themes threaded throughout feel, unfortunately, as relevant as ever. What pushed this book above 4 stars for me, though, was the end—a reveal I certainly didn’t see coming and a twist that, in my mind, cemented Whitehead as not just telling a good story, but as a good storyteller.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Torture, and Violence
If I were to add all the necessary content warnings we’d be here all day. It’s about a black juvie circa-1960s. You can guess what kind of horrors go down.