#594

Mentioned in 33 episodes

THE NICKEL BOYS

Book • 2019

Colson Whitehead

The Nickel Boys is a powerful and disturbing novel that delves into the horrors of Nickel Academy, a segregated juvenile reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.

The story follows Elwood Curtis, a bright and idealistic young man who is falsely accused of stealing a car and sent to Nickel Academy.

There, he and his friend Turner navigate the brutal and corrupt environment, marked by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

The novel explores themes of systemic injustice, human perseverance, and the lasting impact of trauma.

It alternates between the 1960s and the present, as the dark history of Nickel Academy is uncovered and its survivors come forward to share their experiences.

Mentioned by

Stephen Thompson

Eddie Glaude Jr.

Rebecca Schinsky

Mentioned in 33 episodes

Mentioned by

Tonya Mosley

and

Eddie Glaude Jr.

in relation to a film adaptation and its subtle imagery of MLK.

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Mentioned by

Adam Nayman

as a uniquely adapted literary work.

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Mentioned by

Linda Holmes

as a story of two black boys forming an unshakeable bond at a segregated reform school.

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Mentioned by

Linda Holmes

when discussing films nominated for Best Picture.

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Mentioned by

Sean Fennessey

and Amanda Dobbins while discussing one of the best movies of 2024, an adaptation of the novel.

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Mentioned by

Surekha Davies

as a source of inspiration for her writing style.

Episode 63: Surekha Davies Has No Lack of Deadlines

Mentioned by

Stephen Thompson

when discussing this year's Oscar nominations.

2025 Oscar Nominations

Mentioned by

Troy Young

as a movie based on his book, describing it as a sad but worthwhile story.

Loro Piana Populism

Mentioned by

Sean Fennessey

as a Best Picture contender, pushed for award season.

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Mentioned by

Matt Belloni

while discussing film adaptations.

Equal Pay, Equal Stake: A Filmmaking Experiment

Mentioned by

Simon Mayo

as the basis for the film "Nickel Boys", directed by Ramel Ross.

Best and Worst Films of the Year & More

Mentioned by

Chris Ryan

and

Sean Fennessey

in the context of potential best picture contenders.

The Top 10 Garbage Revenge Movies and ‘Rebel Ridge,’ With Jeremy Saulnier!

Mentioned by

Jeff O'Neal

and

Rebecca Schinsky

in their Pulitzer Prize ranking discussion, highlighting its powerful narrative and unflinching portrayal of historical injustices.

The 10 Best Winners of The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction of the Century So Far

Mentioned by

Sean Fennessey

when discussing movies.

The Oscars Hangover Mailbag. Plus: Bong Joon-ho Returns!

Mentioned as a nominee for Best Actor in the Brody Awards.

Richard Brody Presents the 2025 Brody Awards

Mentioned by

Dave Davies

as a novel adapted into a film, based on the true story of the Dozier School for Boys.

The True Story Of Abuse And Injustice Behind 'Nickel Boys'

Mentioned by

April LaJoy

when discussing books she has read from the Best Picture nominees list.

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Mentioned as one of the films

Kenneth Yu

worked on.

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Mentioned by

Jesse Gratia

while discussing his experience playing the game.

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Mentioned by the podcast hosts while discussing the film adaptation of the novel and its use of first-person perspective.

The Elusive Promise of the First Person

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