THE NICKEL BOYS. A Novel
by Whitehead, Colson
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- A fine copy in a fine dust jacket
- ISBN 10
- 0385537077
- ISBN 13
- 9780385537070
- Seller
-
Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Doubleday, 2019. First edition. Hardcover. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Signed by Colson Whitehead on the title page. This novel is based on the real story of the Dozier School, a reform school in Florida that operated for 111 years and had its history exposed by a university investigation. It was named one of TIME's best books of the decade and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Elwood Curtis has taken the words of Dr Martin Luther King to heart: he is as good as anyone. Abandoned by his parents, brought up by his loving, strict and clear-sighted grandmother, Elwood is about to enroll in the local black college. But given the time and the place, one innocent mistake is enough to destroy his future, and so Elwood arrives at The Nickel Academy, which claims to provide 'physical, intellectual and moral training' which will equip its inmates to become 'honorable and honest men'. In reality, the Nickel Academy is a chamber of horrors, where physical, emotional and sexual abuse is rife, where corrupt officials and tradesmen do a brisk trade in supplies intended for the school, and where any boy who resists is likely to disappear 'out back'. Stunned to find himself in this vicious environment, Elwood tries to hold on to Dr King's ringing assertion, 'Throw us in jail, and we will still love you.' But Elwood's fellow inmate and new friend Turner thinks Elwood is naive and worse; the world is crooked, and the only way to survive is to emulate the cruelty and cynicism of their oppressors. The tension between Elwood's idealism and Turner's skepticism leads to a decision which will have decades-long repercussions.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Ed Smith Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 14966
- Title
- THE NICKEL BOYS. A Novel
- Author
- Whitehead, Colson
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - A fine copy in a fine dust jacket
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- ISBN 10
- 0385537077
- ISBN 13
- 9780385537070
- Publisher
- Doubleday
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2019
- Keywords
- signed, reform school, Dr. Martin Luther King, based on real events, Dozier School, Florida, one of the best books of the decade, winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Terms of Sale
Ed Smith Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Ed Smith Books
Biblio member since 2009
Bainbridge Island, Washington
About Ed Smith Books
Ed Smith Books specializes in better condition modern literary first editions, signed books, photographic monographs, screen and theater related material and pop culture. We offer appraisals for books and photographs. We are located a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, WA on Bainbridge Island. Since 1985 (ABAA since 1995). Two authors we specialize in are Charles Bukowski and Hunter S Thompson. Open by appointment.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...