A review by angorarabbit
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-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

5.0

Context: I read The Underground Railroad last year and was not sure that I could emotionally handle this book when it came available at my library. 
 
The writing, plot, and characterisation could not be better. Mr Whitehead is a gifted writer. As in The Underground Railroad he has written a novel with hard truths that is does not crush the reader. 
 
I know that this book will not change the state of institutional racism in the US or the violence and inequities in the US penal system But along with the secret graveyards it does make it harder for the privileged to say, “I didn’t know”.
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