Staff Reviews

This is one of the best books I've read this year. Disclosures of a real-life Florida reform school's long-standing corruption and abusive practices inspired Whitehead's new novel. It's the early 1960's, and idealistic Elmwood and cynical Turner are both "Students" at The Nickel Academy in Tallahassee. The book is divided into three sections, detailing Elwood's life beore, during, and after his time at the Nickel Academy. This is not a particularly easy read, but it is a necessary read. It's a story of survival, and trying to hold onto a sense of personhood, written in a sharp and amazing language.