A review by flykites
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This book made me cry a lot toward the end. I’m using this to log my opinion so spoilers to follow :
I think what broke my heart was the fact Elwood shouldn’t have been there he thought he’d be the martyr as he wrote the letter which only led to his demise and eventual death. He was only following what his hero’s were saying and the bravery in their actions he wanted reform and he thought he could do it. His hope was such a beautiful thing he really thought it’d all be ok. I said in my journal entries that he kept thinking optimistically that he would be out he should keep his head down and go through the motions. It didn’t work for him. I cried a lot when we found out Turner was using his name that he ended up in the old hotel where Elwood worked. It hit me for it to come full circle like that. He only wanted to learn and go to college and it was taken from him. All from him. He had optimism that it would be ok they got out of there briefly but it wasn’t enough and my heart aches. It’ll leave a lasting impact and impression for certain
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