I love this book SO much— it was my first Colson Whitehead too! I read Underground railroad, which everyone seems to love, after nickel boys and while it was good, i felt like nickel boys was just so much better. So tough tho, like sooooooo tough. omg. Elwood 😭💗 thanks for another great review!
The Nickel Boys was one of my favorite books of the year when I read it in 2022, and now I'm the one kicking myself for not having gotten around to seeing the adaptation before the Oscars tonight! & re: your 'people reading in public' dream– never say never! am spotting new readers every day...
If you've just read the book and loved it so much, I'd leave watching the film for a while. It focuses so much on the emotion of the novel a lot of the plot is sacrificed. The film WAS good, but it is incomparable to the novel imo.
I read the last 50 pages this morning so I could finish before I read your review. Such a powerful book! I have read most of his others, and enjoyed and would recommend all of them, but this one may be the most indelible. Like you, I’m putting off seeing the movie, maybe forever. So grateful to your prompting me to read it.
Thanks, Brian! I’m glad you finished in time for today’s newsletter—thanks again for reading along with me! I’m glad you enjoyed it, too. A marvelous and powerful book!
I’ve had Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory which is about the same Dozier school and I’ve been so scared to face the horrors, but it’s so important. Great great review, I wish I had started with this one instead of the Underground Railroad
Thanks for your review. I receive a new book every other month from an Indie bookstore. It is my Christmas gift from my brother and sister-in-law. I received this in 2022 and returned it because I thought it would be too intense. I probably need to toughen up a little. Recently I have read some hard books, so off in search of a paperback copy. I do not watch adaptations of books, so I will not see the movie. Thanks for the gentle push.
I love this book SO much— it was my first Colson Whitehead too! I read Underground railroad, which everyone seems to love, after nickel boys and while it was good, i felt like nickel boys was just so much better. So tough tho, like sooooooo tough. omg. Elwood 😭💗 thanks for another great review!
Thanks, EJ! I definitely want to read Underground Railroad but heard it was intense. So not right away but soon enough.
The Nickel Boys was one of my favorite books of the year when I read it in 2022, and now I'm the one kicking myself for not having gotten around to seeing the adaptation before the Oscars tonight! & re: your 'people reading in public' dream– never say never! am spotting new readers every day...
Thanks, Regan! I’m hopeful someone will see me reading something cool someday!
If you've just read the book and loved it so much, I'd leave watching the film for a while. It focuses so much on the emotion of the novel a lot of the plot is sacrificed. The film WAS good, but it is incomparable to the novel imo.
Thanks, Martha! I’ve heard similar feedback from folks who saw the movie and read the book so I’ll definitely hold off for now.
I read the last 50 pages this morning so I could finish before I read your review. Such a powerful book! I have read most of his others, and enjoyed and would recommend all of them, but this one may be the most indelible. Like you, I’m putting off seeing the movie, maybe forever. So grateful to your prompting me to read it.
Thanks, Brian! I’m glad you finished in time for today’s newsletter—thanks again for reading along with me! I’m glad you enjoyed it, too. A marvelous and powerful book!
I’ve had Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory which is about the same Dozier school and I’ve been so scared to face the horrors, but it’s so important. Great great review, I wish I had started with this one instead of the Underground Railroad
Thanks, Natalie! I totally understand. This is definitely a book with reading, when you’re up for it.
I'm saving it to read after I see the film, I can't do it the other way round 🤷🏻♀️
The ebook is 99p in the UK today if that's useful to anyone...
Thanks, El! Let us know what you think of the film!
Thanks for your review. I receive a new book every other month from an Indie bookstore. It is my Christmas gift from my brother and sister-in-law. I received this in 2022 and returned it because I thought it would be too intense. I probably need to toughen up a little. Recently I have read some hard books, so off in search of a paperback copy. I do not watch adaptations of books, so I will not see the movie. Thanks for the gentle push.
Thanks, Kate! While this book is intense it’s not as much as others of his, as I understand it. Definitely a worthwhile read, when you’re ready.
I read this book but i cannot remember much of it. your review was a refresher. I did not know about the movie adaptation