The story that Colson Whitehead tells in “Nickel Boys” is based on an actual reform school in Florida. This isn’t a lighthearted story; it’s pretty heavy. But, he tells the story without excess description and fluff. The style is somewhat direct, but there so much packed into the words you do get. I think that’s part of the genius of this book. Whitehead tells an intense, tragic story without burying it in drawn out paragraphs and descriptions.

It was difficult to not feel angry when I read this, but I think you should feel angry. It’s sickening that these things have happened. I think that’s part of what Whitehead was getting at. You should feel angry. You should not just feel OK after reading this novel.

No spoilers, but the one twist toward the end of the book was a surprise to me. I won’t lie and claim that I saw it coming.

I had the privilege of attending Babel on Thursday where Whitehead was the speaker. He is incredibly intelligent, well spoken, and hilarious. I didn’t realize that his books span various genres and styles, but now I plan to work my through all of them.