Jason Luz answers “In the very last paragraph in the book, a...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about The Nickel Boys:

In the very last paragraph in the book, a character is referenced who now owns the diner (Blondie's) who used to read comic books at the Nickel institute. Which character is the author referring to?

Jason Luz Why would Turner forget the name he assumed his entire adult life, the reason for this trip and the stay in this hotel. We know that the boy reference…moreWhy would Turner forget the name he assumed his entire adult life, the reason for this trip and the stay in this hotel. We know that the boy referenced is indeed Elwood. In the opening of the book we learned that Elwood became a mascot for the kitchen staff. Perhaps "Blondie" was an ironic nickname, one of the many comic books he read. Perhaps the restaurant is now owned by someone from that earlier kitchen staff, the kinder crew before it turned over to that crueler staff that tricked the boy into competing for the blank encyclopedias. In any case, it's a sweet closing twist of fate, the old man that represents what Elwood could have been inadvertently meets the dreaming, still unsullied boy.(less)

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