Review: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

This novel is almost tailor made for a high school English curriculum. The protagonist captures the spirit of adolescence from his quixotic optimism to his naïve perception of his own invincibility. Is Elwood impetuous? Imprudent? Noble? The protagonist’s complex character is one that students enjoy debating as they make their own personal connections to the frustrations of being mentored with idealist rhetoric in an unjust and inequitable world.

While the events in the novel are disturbing and tragic, the cultural backdrop of the American Civil Rights Movement brings a sense of progress and hope to the conversation. The novel’s many allusions to Dr. King, the Dozier Reform Academy (the institution the fictional narrative is based on), the New York City garbage strikes, etc. bridge the fictional world with the real world which helps students appreciate the persuasive power of fictional narratives. The Nickel Boys is also a good work for introducing the concept of intertextuality; while much is learned through reading the novel, Whitehead also assumes knowledge of American history and culture from his reader that is interesting to unpack, especially for international readers. Furthermore, Whitehead’s structure, narrative perspective, and character development feel familiar, almost Dickensian. Ultimately, the novel is Whitehead’s own style, combining classical authorial choices with postmodern twists, placing an unmistakably fictional story in the middle of a tumultuous time in American history. Its content is meaningful and its style is easy to read yet playful; a winning combination for most high school students (and teachers).

While the novel does have some implicitly gruesome scenes, these are cleverly not explicated (an interesting discussion point). This combined with the historical nature and Pulitzer Prize winning status of the work means that sensitive parents and students are likely to accept The Nickel Boys as meaningful and relevant, despite its implicitly violent scenes. Reading a popular, newly published literary work also helps students appreciate the value of reading as a life-long practice that opens their minds to new perspectives.

Should you be interested, a unit is available on this work:

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead