Book Review: "The Nickel Boys"

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars








There are certain words that are thrown about in book reviews, words that are overused and become meaningless: Haunting, Powerful, Memorable. I am not going out on a limb when I employ each of these words to describe Colson Whitehead's novel "The Nickel Boys."

The novel traces the paths of two Black teenaged boys through the dark times of the Jim Crow era in the United States. Based on the true and horrific stories of the Dozier School for Boys, Whitehead crafts a dark and ugly hellhole: The Nickel Academy. The face the 'Academy' presents to the outside world is a reform school dedicated to turning young delinquents into upright citizens. The true face of The Nickel Academy is one of abuse, beatings, tortures, and of young men ending up in unmarked graves.

The characters in this story are finely crafted, well developed, and memorable. Two boys struggle to survive, struggle with conflicting beliefs, struggle to maintain the hope that someday things will change. There is danger in hoping, danger in believing. Their struggle in powerful and, yes, it is memorable. As a reader, I cared very much about the fate of the protagonists. The author's words drew me in immediately and held me in thrall.

Mr. Whitehead is a fine writer and a fine crafter of story. The tale cuts from present to past and back again, yet the shifts are not jarring. Each piece of the story builds on a preceding episode, adding layers of insight and plot twists. The final twist is beautiful, ironic, and deeply moving.

Colson Whitehead has won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. My little review does not do justice to his work. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it!

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Thanks for your interest in my book review. I do hope you enjoy it. If you liked what you read here,  please tell another reader. Word of mouth is the most precious gift an Indie Author can receive. 

How about a free short story? My short story "Mac, Dickran, and The Kid" has recently been featured at Literary Yard. You can check it out here:

"Mac, Dickran, and The Kid" at Literary Yard

Or perhaps one of my novels? All of the information is at my website:

Marco Etheridge Fiction

You can check out books, blog posts, book reviews, or even get a free book. Just look for the big button that says "FREE BOOK." It's kind of hard to miss. Happy reading!!

 
 

New Short Story: "Words May Set You Free"

New Short Story Just Released!

My short story "Words May Set You Free" just went live at the online journal The Writing Disorder. This dark and absurdist morality play sees a group of writers banding together for revenge. This short story is quirky and not a little snarky. I wrote in early 2019 following a string of rejections from literary agents. I like to think of it as a cleansing story. I very much hope you enjoy it.

Huge Shout-Out to The Writing Disorder!

I want to thank the editors of The Writing Disorder for having faith in this story. Given the subject matter of the piece, it is not surprising that it got rejected like a one-eyed, three-legged kitten in a wet cardboard box The editors at The Writing Disorder did not hesitate, so kudos to them. The story is available online and is a free read. How can you beat that? You have the chance to support the literary arts and get a free short story into the bargain: Everyone wins! Here is the link to the front page of the latest issue of The Writing Disorder latest issue.

"Words May Set You Free" at The Writing Disorder 

Thanks for reading and for being readers! Readers Rock!!!

More Short Stories and Book Reviews at the Blog:

There is lots more at Marco Etheridge Fiction. Check out the blog for book reviews, links to more short stories, and other fun stuff:

 https://www.marcoetheridgefiction.com/blog/

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the literary world, and thanks for being readers. Readers Rock!

New Short Story: "Carnations"

 

New Short Story Just Released!

My short story "Carnations" just went live at the online journal Cleaning Up Glitter. The story tells the tale of a Syrian family fleeing their war-torn country. Their journey is filled with danger and uncertainty, with sorrow and only a glimmer of hope.

Huge Shout-Out to Cleaning Up Glitter!

I want to thank the editors of Cleaning Up Glitter for having faith in my work. It is a privilege to be a part of their journal. Cleaning Up Glitter is a non-profit e-Journal, so my story is a free read. How can you beat that? You have the chance to support the literary arts and get a free short story into the bargain: Everyone wins! Here is the link to the front page of CUG's latest issue. My story is featured as the lead story. How cool is that?

 ps://cleaningupglitter.com/

More Short Stories and Book Reviews at the Blog:

There is lots more at Marco Etheridge Fiction. Check out the blog for book reviews, links to more short stories, and other fun stuff:

 https://www.marcoetheridgefiction.com/blog/

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the literary world, and thanks for being readers. Readers Rock!

Short Story New Year

2020 has dawned new and bright as a shiny copper penny, at least in my small corner of the publishing world. November and December, 2019, brought a drum-beat of rejections, but the beat has changed from rejection to a tattoo of accepted stories. The writing gods have chosen to smile upon me. They are as fickle as the Greek Gods of myth, my little writing gods, but I will take the good fortune when it comes. Tomorrow's rejections are tomorrow's business. Let us instead speak of stories and success.

Four short stories have been published since the New Year turned. Here is a brief roll call for your reading pleasure.

Mac, Dickran, and The Kid

"Mac, Dickran, and The Kid" was the first story of the New Year, appearing at Literary Yard. This is the second story in the New Orleans Trilogy. You can read the story here:

Mac, Dickran, and The Kid at Literary Yard

 

Ollie-Ollie

"Ollie-Ollie" was published in February at the great site Literally Stories. You can read this story, along with four other stories, by banging the big button:

Ollie-Ollie at Literally Stories

 

Inside News

"Inside News" was the second story for February. This tale of a young widow and a devil's bargain appeared in Dime Show Review. Check it out here:

Inside News at Dime Show Review

 

 The Rosary

Capping out February was "The Rosary," a flash-fiction piece about a young woman alone in the Sonoran desert. This story appeared in Mobius: The Journal for Social Change, and I am very proud to be a part of their mission:

The Rosary at Mobius

I hope you enjoy these short stories. I am very pleased to say that there are more on the way, with five stories having been accepted in the last two months. Look for new publications in the coming months, including a monster long-format story, "Words May Set Your Free."

If you are interested in previously published stories, you can find them here:

The Short Story Tally at MEF

Thank you for reading and for being readers. I hope to have more good news in the coming weeks. Until then, "Ciao for Now!"