Book Review: The Nickel Boys

The Nickel Boys is a historical fiction novel written by American author Colson Whitehead.  Its narrative follows the perspective an African-American by the name of Elwood Curtis between the 2010’s and the 1960’s.  Elwood is a smart and ambitious man in his youth, having lived with his grandmother in their Tallahassee home, Elwood grew up inspired by the words of great African-American civil rights activists like Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Perceiving clearly the racial injustice of the times, it’s Elwood’s hope to one day see the social barriers enforced on his race break down and live a life free of persecution.  Fate plays Elwood an extremely cruel hand however as during a ride to start university classes, Elwood is caught and falsely charged by the state for grand theft auto. Due to his youth, Elwood is sentenced to attend Nickel Academy, a reformatory institution which claims to help young boys, white or black, reform their ways and become better members of society. Despite his positive initial impression however, it becomes clear that Nickel Academy is rife with corruption and abuse when Elwood’s new friends warn him about staying on the good side of the institutes staff. The rest of the book follows Elwood’s struggle to tow the line amidst his desire to confront the abuse of power and end it for good.

It's hard not to overstate how incredible the story of this book is.  Colson Whitehead noted that while this story is fictional from a setting and character perspective, it is based on the real-life scandal involving the Dozier School for Boys in Florida.  It’s truly sad to know that the events of this book are not completely fictitious and to know real children suffered under the watch of people who were meant to care for and educate them is truly heartbreaking.  Elwood’s story is a perfect window into that tragedy as well as a confrontation against it.  The heart of the story is Elwood and his friend Turner.  Whitehead wrote the pair to be opposing viewpoints on the racial injustice they each suffer, yet react to differently.  Elwood sees the treatment by the staff as immoral and cruel and despite learning all too quickly that his ability to confront it is limited, he still fights against it in whatever ways he can.  Turner by contrast, accepts the reality of the then status quo, he doesn’t agree with it either, but understands that’s the way things are and would much rather get on than draw attention to himself.  Whitehead wrote these characters with so much articulation and they really contribute to the beautiful and tragic core of its message. Seeing the endearing relationship the boys develop over the course of the story and how they both challenge and better each other in the progress is the true heart and soul of the book.

It goes without saying that the book is heavy with dark subject matter and if you struggle to tolerate such flagrant disregard for human rights, especially with children, this book may be a bit too hard for you to read.  I think the heavy weight the book holds tonally is necessary though.  In the modern age some people like to dismiss the injustice of yesterday because of the improved rights we all have currently, but that’s nonsense.  Those who don’t learn from history are bound to repeat it and we as a society need to be able to look at stories like The Nickel Boys and say “never again”. That’s why I appreciated every page of this book no matter how depressing it got, because boys like Elwood weren’t able to look away and ignore the unfair reality, so why should we? I also think the way Whitehead structured the book in terms of the perspective and setting is really smart and deserves great praise.  The framing of the story is just as integral to its plotline running throughout and you’ll truly come to appreciate why Whitehead spent so much time slipping between a past and present perspective by the books end.

The Nickel Boys is deserving of all of the praise and awards it’s earned since it was published in 2019. Colson Whitehead rightfully puts an uncomfortable spotlight on key racial injustices suffered through the a deeply personal and beautiful narrative. It’s a book which understands the key to conveying its message is through the lens of its characters and the ordinary lives they want yet never get.  Their tales reflect the cruel and unjust world we live in and despite how things may be getting better, that should never be a reason to dismiss the past.  We live and we learn yes, but we must never forget.  We must take these stories and remember them for the rest of our days.  For any good to have come from their sacrifices, we have to take their suffering and make it mean something.