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The Nickel Boys

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The Nickel Boys

By: Colson Whitehead
Narrated by: JD Jackson, Colson Whitehead
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About this listen

 'RaMell Ross's transcendentally moving and frightening film' (Guardian, New York Film Festival) now a major motion picture and shortlisted for a Golden Globe.

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020
WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL FICTION 2020
Winner of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction 2020
Time #1 Novel of the Year 2019

Author of The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school in 1960s Florida.

Elwood Curtis has taken the words of Dr Martin Luther King to heart: he is as good as anyone. Abandoned by his parents, brought up by his loving, strict and clear-sighted grandmother, Elwood is about to enroll in the local black college. But given the time and the place, one innocent mistake is enough to destroy his future, and so Elwood arrives at The Nickel Academy, which claims to provide 'physical, intellectual and moral training' which will equip its inmates to become 'honorable and honest men'.

In reality, the Nickel Academy is a chamber of horrors, where physical, emotional and sexual abuse is rife, where corrupt officials and tradesmen do a brisk trade in supplies intended for the school, and where any boy who resists is likely to disappear 'out back'. Stunned to find himself in this vicious environment, Elwood tries to hold on to Dr King's ringing assertion, 'Throw us in jail, and we will still love you.' But Elwood's fellow inmate and new friend Turner thinks Elwood is naive and worse; the world is crooked, and the only way to survive is to emulate the cruelty and cynicism of their oppressors.

The tension between Elwood's idealism and Turner's skepticism leads to a decision which will have decades-long repercussions.

Based on the history of a real reform school in Florida that operated for one hundred and eleven years and warped and destroyed the lives of thousands of children, The Nickel Boys is a devastating, driven narrative by a great American novelist whose work is essential to understanding the current reality of the United States.

'If greatness is excellence sustained over time, then without question, Whitehead is one of the greatest of his generation. In fact, figuring his age, acclaim, productivity and consistency, he is one of the greatest American writers alive' Time

'A commanding triumph' Sunday Times

'Every chapter hits its mark' New York Times©2019 Colson Whitehead (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK African American Fiction Historical Fiction Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking

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I enjoyed this book and the education into thebdeep south reform schools however not until the end did i realise it was a true to life story with names changed. This made me appreciate even more the struggle of elwood ans turner if i would change one thing it would be tonhave the relevant information stated in the books description about the reform school this is based on. The twist in the book was also a bit predictable but the writing style reminded me alot of john steinbeck really raw and gritty! 4 stars for the story but performed beautifully by Jackson and sounding crisp good book!

High quality audio good story historical focus

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What an incredibly poignant and beautifully written novel even though the subject matter is devastating. In fact it’s mind-boggling that these things happened. But the fact that they did should be known. These people who did these things, to these poor and often innocent children... know what they did. And one day they will be judged!

This made me Weep

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I listened to this to prepare me before watching the film. I’ll definitely be reading Colson Whitehead’s books again. Incredible.

Impactful and Unforgettable

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Simplistic language is used to fantastic effect to remind us all how close we still are to our history and to propel us towards a fairer future.

Harrowing and brilliant

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Great story, with a somewhat mixed quality of narration. Some parts excellent, and in others the cadence of the deliver is completely off, pausing mid sentence sometimes which completely wrongly alters the actual meaning of the prose. Still worth listening.

Patchy narrator

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I loved this book, it was easy to follow on Audible and the narrator was steady and pleasant to listen to. A book that gets right into your head, your heart and thoughts. A must listen for anyone who is interested in Black oppression and wants to be more informed. Be warned this book is NOT for the faint hearted it involves violence and injustice. However, the way the violence is described is sympathetic and not at all gory or overly descriptive but for anyone with morals it will still get to you and make you ache with sadness and anger!

Wow a suckerpunch of a book!

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No fantasy.
A heart-rending story of misfortune in a racially divided world.
I wish it wasn't a fictionalized account.

Bleak horror story with human monsters

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I read this as I loved The Underground Railroad. The book didn’t disappoint. A gripping story.

gripping story

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A masterfully told tale which captures awful Jim Crow south in detail and in spirit

A masterfully told tale which captures awful Jim Crow south in detail and in spirit

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An excellent story; painful and captivating. Well written and perfectly narrated. A really good read.

A must read

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