This study investigates Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys and Hisham Matar's The Return: A Memoir, both pivotal works from 2019, through the lens of postcolonial theory. These novels grapple with themes of systemic injustice, the function of memory, and the enduring effects of oppressive structures on both individuals and communities. The Nickel Boys portrays the brutal realities of a 1960s reform school in Florida, revealing the racial and institutional injustices experienced by African American boys. Conversely, The Return: A Memoir explores political repression in Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, focusing on the protagonist’s search for his abducted father amidst widespread human rights abuses. Postcolonial theory, which traditionally addresses the aftermath of colonization, is employed here to examine different manifestations of systemic oppression and resistance. This analysis applies postcolonial perspectives to enhance our comprehension of how racial and political injustices impact personal identities and societal dynamics, offering a sophisticated understanding of these novels’ thematic concerns.