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alisarae's review against another edition
This was a good book. All the characters are fictional but the story is based on true practices at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida. This reform school was closed in 2011 after decades of allegations of abuse. It is estimated that over 100 boys were killed on its grounds.
The book itself has an interesting story with a couple plot twists I didn’t expect. I was kind of dreading reading it because of the heavy subject matter, but it isn’t torture porn. Colson Whitehead is not a sadist, and I’m sure he was concerned about telling the truth of what happened without it becoming a glory guide for the Klan.
The story touches broader themes that are also interesting—the school-prison pipeline, most obviously. But also how Jim Crow is still present in our lives. How structural racism benefits corporations and other powerholders.
The book itself has an interesting story with a couple plot twists I didn’t expect. I was kind of dreading reading it because of the heavy subject matter, but it isn’t torture porn. Colson Whitehead is not a sadist, and I’m sure he was concerned about telling the truth of what happened without it becoming a glory guide for the Klan.
The story touches broader themes that are also interesting—the school-prison pipeline, most obviously. But also how Jim Crow is still present in our lives. How structural racism benefits corporations and other powerholders.
skconaghan's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
janey's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking and riveting. The story of the Dozier school is so horrendous that when I first heard of it a few years ago, my initial impulse was disbelief. But I should know better by now. There is nothing too low for this country, especially when it comes to our treatment of young Black men and boys. Whitehead manages to create a narrative that engulfs you slowly, like sinking into quicksand, and then, like quicksand, won't let you look away or escape.
hnagarne's review against another edition
writer6's review against another edition
3.0
The Nickel Boys is the first Colson Whitehead book that I've ever read, and while I really liked it, I sadly didn't love it. I liked Elwood as the protagonist of the book, but I also think that he was still somewhat lacking in complexity as a fictional character who's also serving as the protagonist of this book. I also found Whitehead's descriptive writing to be somewhat lacking throughout the book. Personally, I HATED the twist at the end of the book, even though I wasn't entirely surprised by the ending of the book. The twist at the end of the book definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. Even though I ultimately didn't exactly love The Nickel Boys, I still really enjoyed it; and I'm definitely glad that I read it since it addresses an important part of U.S. history.
My Rating/Score: 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads' rating system. 7 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
My Rating/Score: 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads' rating system. 7 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
pretentiousbreadcrumbs's review against another edition
4.0
I, like many, was inspired to pick this up after reading The Underground Railroad. Elwood's story is a reminder that optimism is only a feeling if society remains ignorant.
I loved the last 3 chapters of this book, they were simply fantastic.
I loved the last 3 chapters of this book, they were simply fantastic.
jlburck's review against another edition
5.0
Underground Railroad is one of my favorite books, so The Nickel Boys had a lot to live up to. I was ambivalent about the book, thinking it was too short and there wasn't enough character or plot development until the end. The ending makes the book and I came away from the book really enjoying it.