Set against the backdrop of a segregated Florida during the 1960s, 'The Nickel Boys' follows the harrowing experiences of two boys, Elwood Curtis and Turner, at a brutal reform school. Inspired by the true story of a notorious institution, the novel explores themes of racism, injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Elwood, an idealist influenced by civil rights leaders, withstands the horrors of Nickel Academy while challenging its oppressive system. Meanwhile, Turner embodies a more pragmatic approach, navigating the harsh realities of their environment. This powerful narrative invites readers to ponder the lasting impacts of history and the fight for dignity in the face of adversity.
By Colson Whitehead
Published: 2019
"The Nickel Academy was a terrible place, but it existed in a world that was even worse."
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this Pulitzer Prize-winning follow-up to The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. When 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" (Entertainment Weekly). Look for Colson Whitehead’s bestselling new novel, Harlem Shuffle!
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“The Nickel Academy was a terrible place, but it existed in a world that was even worse.”
The Nickel Boys (Winner 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
By Colson Whitehead
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Colson Whitehead is a celebrated American author known for his innovative storytelling and profound exploration of complex themes. He gained widespread acclaim for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novels, including "The Underground Railroad," which reimagines the historical Underground Railroad as an actual railway system, and "The Nickel Boys," a poignant narrative based on the horrors of a reform school in Florida. Whitehead's works often blend genres, incorporating elements of magical realism and sharp social commentary, deftly examining issues of race, identity, and history. His literary craft is characterized by rich prose and a keen sense of character, positioning him as one of the leading voices in contemporary literature.
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