Alex Cabe reviewed The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Outstanding Character Work
4 stars
The story was fairly conventional but the character work was very strong. I liked seeing how young Elwood was personally affected by the civil rights movement, especially in contract to Turner. That's an angle I haven't seen very much.
I had seen the movie before reading the book, so I knew the twist at the end going in. I kind of wish I had not and I had been able to see it develop on its own. I thought the encyclopedia scene was important to Elwood's character development, and was surprised with wasn't included in the movie.
I listened to on audiobook and the narrator generally did a good job giving the characters unique voices.
The story was fairly conventional but the character work was very strong. I liked seeing how young Elwood was personally affected by the civil rights movement, especially in contract to Turner. That's an angle I haven't seen very much.
I had seen the movie before reading the book, so I knew the twist at the end going in. I kind of wish I had not and I had been able to see it develop on its own. I thought the encyclopedia scene was important to Elwood's character development, and was surprised with wasn't included in the movie.
I listened to on audiobook and the narrator generally did a good job giving the characters unique voices.
