The Nickel Boys
by Colson Whitehead
Approximately 224 pages
A compact, controlled novel whose calm surface makes the brutality of a segregated reform school more, not less, disturbing.
Difficulty
Moderate
Pace
Medium
Mood
bleak, restrained
Book club
High
Is this book for you?
Read this if you enjoy
- readers of concentrated historical fiction
- groups discussing justice and survival
Consider another book if
- you are avoiding abuse involving children
- you want emotional relief or comedy
What it is about
"The Nickel Boys" follows two boys, Elwood Curtis and Turner, at a reform school in Florida during the 1960s. Elwood is inspired by the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and believes in the possibility of justice.
Turner is more cynical and pragmatic, having seen the harsh realities of their environment. The story explores the brutal conditions and systemic racism within the Nickel Academy. Elwood's idealism clashes with the oppressive reality they face.
The boys form a bond as they navigate the challenges of their incarceration. Their experiences highlight the impact of institutional racism and abuse. The narrative shifts between past and present, revealing the long-lasting effects of their time at Nickel.
Themes of hope, friendship, and resilience are central to the story. Ultimately, the book examines the struggle for dignity in a deeply flawed system.
Award recognition
2020 winner
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
United States
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