A review by carlycompton22
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

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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