Simply one of the best American writers today, Colson Whitehead has produced a body of work covering a number of genres and historical periods, largely focused on the fertile grounds of Black culture. Each work packs a punch, lyrically expressed and dramatically unfolded. We will begin with a consideration of his total output to date, followed by a thorough discussion of his novel, The Nickel Boys (2019), set in a Jim Crow-era reform school and based on real situations. Whether as an introduction to the author or an avid fan's revisit, we will be in the good company of an important voice in the American literary canon, despite recent book-banning in other states.
Suggested Reading: Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys, Doubleday