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The Nickel Boys
224 pages, 2019
fiction
1382 booksWhen Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors.
Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble.
As life at the Academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades.
Based on the real story of a reform school that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children, The Nickel Boys is a devastating, driven narrative that showcases a great American novelist writing at the height of his powers and “should further cement Whitehead as one of his generation's best."
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is a stark reminder of the brutal racism that existed in America. The book explores the lives of two black boys in a reform school in Florida, where they face horrifying abuse. It's a must-read if you want to understand the depth of racial prejudice and its devastating effects.
In the midst of all the darkness, the book shines a light on the power of friendship. The bond between Elwood and Turner, the two main characters, is a testament to the human spirit's resilience. Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope and is a key element to explore in the book.
Colson Whitehead does an excellent job of highlighting the long-term effects of institutional abuse. The book shows how the boys' lives are forever marked by their time at the Nickel Academy. It's a powerful call to action to research and address such abuses in our society.
The Nickel Boys is a testament to the power of resilience. Despite the harsh conditions they face, Elwood and Turner never lose their will to survive. Their story is a lesson in courage and determination that can inspire us all.
The book is a stark portrayal of social injustice. It's a reminder that we need to look into and address the systemic issues that allow such atrocities to occur. Reading The Nickel Boys can motivate us to take a stand against social injustice and work towards a more equitable society.
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A necessary read, The Nickel Boys is a stunning narrative about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice.
Barack Obama - 44th U.S. PresidentThe Nickel Boys vividly illustrates the power of systemic racism and its devastating impact on individual lives.
Oprah Winfrey - Media ExecutiveThe Nickel Boys is a chilling, masterful novel that showcases Colson Whitehead's incredible storytelling prowess.
Stephen King - Horror AuthorThe Nickel Boys is a profound exploration of America's history of racial injustice, told through the eyes of its victims.
Ta-Nehisi Coates - Journalist, AuthorRecommendations
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