Reviews

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

hstew's review against another edition

5.0

Devastating quick read from Pulitzer prize winner Colson Whitehead. Based on the true story of a horrific school in Marianna, Florida which two of my best friends from college are from. It will be nearly impossible to not bring this up the next time I see them, but mostly to reccomend this terrific read. The atrocities of this fictional and real-life school, like so many others, deserve to be told. And we're lucky to have someone like Colson Whitehead to turn this misery into great art for those who were lucky enough to avoid it.

nonagon's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

kellerko's review against another edition

3.0

A fairly short but powerful story of a college bound African-American boy growing up in the Jim Crow south. He was picked up for a crime he didn’t commit and sentenced to a reform school. Unimaginable things happened there again and again which he carefully recorded. An unexpected twist at the end made everything fall together.

sherlock151's review against another edition

dark informative sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

jelena666's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

apeculiarreader's review

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.5

sleepytimebooks's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

x_shark_x's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

3.50 - Average
Negligent characters that lack persuasiveness and has a limited influence of emotions. Dishonors comfort in a tactful way. Corporal punishment is delved into without censorship. Meandering plot that digresses at some awkward points. Harrowingly segregated by the contrast of basic human rights and discrimination. Clear and dignified prose that keeps descriptions well-versed. Sporadically placed tension could've been heightened in quality if given room to grow. Ensures a well-sustained desire to not lose yourself amongst struggles. Recommended for students of justice, hope, and passion.

"We must believe in our souls that we are somebody, that we are significant, that we are worthful, and we must walk the streets of life every day with this sense of dignity and this sense of somebody-ness."

jagisoffline's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-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? No

5.0

phattwizat's review against another edition

dark hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5