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Book Review on the Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead, nicknamed "America's Storyteller," won the
award in 2016 for his groundbreaking work "The Underground Railroad," which combines
historical fact with elements of fantasy. "The Nickel Boys," his subsequent masterwork, won the
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for the second time in 2019. Whitehead dives into raw truth while
holding on to the historical substance, leaving fantasy behind. The disturbing facts revealed in a
2012 research by the University of Florida, which revealed unreported fatalities and unmarked
graves at the Dozier Reform School for Boys, served as the basis for this fictitious story. This
book is so good that you can't judge it by its cover alone; the preface is where you'll find all the
information you need to understand it. Various reading preferences may be met by making the
book available in both print and audiobook formats, with the former costing a reasonable average
of $22.
"The Nickel Boys," a beautifully written book by Colson Whitehead, is based on the
horrific truths that were seen in the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. Two teenage detainees'
stories intertwined with the fabric of this notorious institution emerge throughout this
extraordinary narrative. Elwood Curtis, a talented African-American senior from the segregated
city of Tallahassee, is the protagonist of the story. Elwood exemplifies honesty, hard work, and a
passionate commitment to education; he was raised by his grandma and marked by the absence
of his parents from a young age. During Elwood's formative years, he had a white mentor who is
a civil rights movement veteran and sees potential in him. Elwood, was very interested in the
growing civil rights movement, listens intently to a recording of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
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talks. Elwood hopes to attend a racially segregated university in the South during the Jim Crow
era so that he can live a dignified life and achieve his goals despite the constraints imposed by
society.
Turner, a fellow inmate at Nickel Academy with street smarts, and Elwood Curtis, a
driven young Black American trying to succeed despite racial injustices, are the protagonists of
"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead. The story revolves around the strong bond shared by
these two individuals, highlighting their ability to persevere in the face of adversity in a reform
school that is separated. An examination of moral fortitude and tenacity in the face of systemic
oppression—a collision of Elwood's idealism and Turner's realism—occurs inside this
enthralling narrative. Whitehead expertly creates these people, immersing us in their hardships,
making us feel for their fights against social injustices and reveling in their victories, which show
how strong the human spirit can be.
Echoing Whitehead's claim that it is critical to sustain self-identity in difficult times, the
book elaborates on topics such as civil rights, human dignity, and sacrifice. After absorbing the
spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, Elwood becomes a walking example of this idea. In a
moving eulogy for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he urges Black Americans to recognize their
inherent value and use it to achieve civil rights. In order to fight for what they believe in, Elwood
thinks it's crucial for African Americans to believe in their own worth. Unfalteringly fearless, he
puts himself and his students in danger by writing a letter that exposes Nickel's atrocities to the
authorities. Whitehead emphasizes the lasting bravery that comes from standing up for one's
principles, arguing that true sacrifices—even when they lead to tragedy like Elwood's death—
hold great importance.
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The skilled handling of themes and motifs by Whitehead is evident in the compelling tale
that he crafts, which strikes a chord with readers. His mastery of language is on display in the
way he deftly weaves together various themes while tackling fundamental issues in a clear and
concise manner. He conveys the gravity of the characters' situations and the depth of their
emotions in a way that is both emotive and succinct, creating a feeling of urgency. Whitehead
manages to keep her writing accessible to people of all reading levels and tastes by keeping the
subject matter light and interesting. The book's ideas will resonate deeply with people who are
sensitive to social and historical issues. "The Nickel Boys" is stronger as a whole and more
provocative in its core because of Whitehead's deft style and thematic development.
Reflection and Conclusion
In her most recent work, Whitehead addresses the criminal justice system's tendency to
put financial gain before of true rehabilitation. "Underground Railroad" won the Pulitzer Prize
and was a finalist for the National Book Award; the author's 2019 book, "The Nickel Boys,"
continues the theme of analyzing corrupt organizations, further establishing his own literary
voice. This book is a powerful instrument for changing people's minds about private
rehabilitation centers, which put an emphasis on making money rather than helping incarcerated
people change for the better. It highlights problems experienced by those jailed in public
institutions as well as private ones. Through his story, Whitehead stresses the need of
rehabilitation facilities having a strong system of oversight to make sure that these places put an
emphasis on recovery while protecting the rights of prisoners. In sum, the book's findings call for
a radical shift in focus from these institutions to their original mission of helping people recover.
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Novelist Colson Whitehead's "The Nickel Boys" delves deeply into the criminal justice
system's systematic inequities in a moving and stimulating way. Through its rich character
portrayals, it deftly interweaves themes of perseverance, racial injustice, and the fight for justice.
Beyond its impressive storytelling skills, the book truly shines when it starts important
discussions about social shortcomings and the pursuit of atonement. Because of its powerful
story, honest depiction of real-life concerns, and capacity to make readers think deeply about the
nuances of justice and the indomitable human spirit, this book deserves a larger audience.
Embedded within its pages are complex social and moral challenges, making it an impactful and
life-altering book.
A moving story of perseverance in the face of hardship, "The Nickel Boys" by Colson
Whitehead strikes a chord. Whitehead artfully depicts the harsh reality of a segregated reform
school, which Elwood and Turner traverse inside this complex narrative. The brutal depiction of
the atrocities committed at the Nickel Academy, which is a result of systematic prejudice, is the
novel's greatest strength. Its multi-faceted protagonists force readers to confront systemic
injustices. Despite the captivating and thought-provoking tale, there are brief instances where the
pacing appears rushed, making readers long for more profound understanding of the characters'
motives. The sheer emotional effect of the subject matter, along with Whitehead's storytelling
skill, makes "The Nickel Boys" a vital and remarkable literary masterpiece that readers will
remember long after the last page has been turned.
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Works Cited
Colson, Whitehead. "The Nickel Boys." (2019).
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