The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Set in the 1960s, this book follows the story of two African-American boys, Elwood and Turner, who are sent to a brutal reform school, the Nickel Academy, in Florida. The narrative explores their struggle to maintain their humanity in the face of physical and emotional abuse, systemic racism, and injustice. The book is a searing indictment of the horrific realities of racism and the long-lasting effects of trauma and dehumanization, based on the real story of a reform school in Florida that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children.
The 5851st greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2019
- Nationality
- American
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 210-224
- Words
- 62,000
- Original Language
- English
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 6 lists:
- 11th on Top 10 Fiction Books of the Decade(2010) (Entertainment Weekly)
- 37th on Readers Pick Their 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (NY Times)
- 67th on 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (Book Enthusiast Substack)
- Best Books of the Decade(2010-2020) (Chicago Tribune)
- The Best Fiction Books of the 2010s (Time)
- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (Pulitzer Prize)