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nataliewonders's review
5.0
There are twists and turns that keep you on your toes but mostly this is a raw story that will make you cry. A wonderful read, I will definitely be reading more.
nikiberns33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
maryvdb2024's review against another edition
4.0
Essential and powerful story told with beautiful prose. I read this book in one sitting. Not hard to see why it won the Pulitzer prize.
Summarised best by Aminatta Forna in the Gaurdian
Fri 26 Jul 2019 16.29
"Instead of the violence, Whitehead homes in on the way in which every action fits into a fully orchestrated whole, which is why I would wish everyone, black or white, to read this novel. He demonstrates to superb effect how racism in America has long operated as a codified and sanctioned activity intended to enrich one group at the expense of another. Racism and white supremacy are the ideologies underpinning the economic exploitation of black people, once given legal force by Jim Crow laws. These laws put power into the hands of ordinary white people. A white person could have a black person arrested for “bumptious contact” – not giving way on the sidewalk, say. The system benefited ordinary white people, from the shopkeepers who resold the food supplies meant for the reform school boys, to the housewife who had her gazebo painted at no cost. Thus, ordinary white people were invested in sustaining the system, including what took place at schools like Nickel. For that was where black boys who did not submit early ended up".
Summarised best by Aminatta Forna in the Gaurdian
Fri 26 Jul 2019 16.29
"Instead of the violence, Whitehead homes in on the way in which every action fits into a fully orchestrated whole, which is why I would wish everyone, black or white, to read this novel. He demonstrates to superb effect how racism in America has long operated as a codified and sanctioned activity intended to enrich one group at the expense of another. Racism and white supremacy are the ideologies underpinning the economic exploitation of black people, once given legal force by Jim Crow laws. These laws put power into the hands of ordinary white people. A white person could have a black person arrested for “bumptious contact” – not giving way on the sidewalk, say. The system benefited ordinary white people, from the shopkeepers who resold the food supplies meant for the reform school boys, to the housewife who had her gazebo painted at no cost. Thus, ordinary white people were invested in sustaining the system, including what took place at schools like Nickel. For that was where black boys who did not submit early ended up".
ancaioanat's review against another edition
4.0
A big slap in the face reality check I've experienced lately.
rachelstubbs19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.75
sibarrola's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shelleyanderson4127's review
challenging
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"We must believe in our souls that we are somebody, that we are significant..."
These words of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. help the Black teenager Elwood survive. It's the early 1960s in Florida, and Elwood has been unjustly sentenced to Nickel, a reformatory/prison for boys.
Forced labor, beatings and sexual abuse abound. But Elwood is also able to forge strong friendships with other Black boys. SPOILER: When Elwood smuggles a letter out that details the abuse, Nickel authorities decide to kill him and bury his remains in an unmarked grave.
The Nickel Boys, inspired by the real life Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida, is a tense, well-written story of grit and survival. It's historical fiction, portraying a community and a state during the tumultuous Civil Rights Movement. I loved the way Colin Whitehead shows how the movement affected an ordinary Black teenager. I also loved the twist at the end. This was a very immersive and enjoyable read.
These words of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. help the Black teenager Elwood survive. It's the early 1960s in Florida, and Elwood has been unjustly sentenced to Nickel, a reformatory/prison for boys.
Forced labor, beatings and sexual abuse abound. But Elwood is also able to forge strong friendships with other Black boys. SPOILER: When Elwood smuggles a letter out that details the abuse, Nickel authorities decide to kill him and bury his remains in an unmarked grave.
The Nickel Boys, inspired by the real life Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida, is a tense, well-written story of grit and survival. It's historical fiction, portraying a community and a state during the tumultuous Civil Rights Movement. I loved the way Colin Whitehead shows how the movement affected an ordinary Black teenager. I also loved the twist at the end. This was a very immersive and enjoyable read.
ellathelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Deeply affecting. I cannot get the story out of my mind, particularly in light of all that is happening in recent days.