A review by bookstagramsam
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

4.5 ⭐️ Wow!  This book was so beautifully written. 

I’ll admit. When I first started this book it was hard for me to get into, but that’s all on me as I decided to buddy read this with a friend and it happened while I was on a sunny beachy vacation!  Not your ideal beach read! 

This book is so gripping. Who knew there could be such a thing as a heartbreaking and haunting at the same time.  

This book is primarily historical fiction.  A young boy is sent to an all boys reform school after being harshly judged for standing up for his sister.  The era is 1950s and Jim Crow south is in full effect.  

Robbie the young boy (12yo) scared out of his mind ends up befriending two other boys that help get him through the days. 

The superintendent chooses Robbie to be his special helper because he can see ghosts and he needs Robbie to help catch all of the haints that are haunting the reformatory. Robbie is learning the real truth behind the school and the haints.  He’s learning the horrors of racism, injustice and heartbreak of the reformatory. 

The author did such a great job developing this characters and really bringing you into the book and the time. It makes you feel all of the feels. Though it’s a work of fiction it is loosely inspired by the events of The Dozier School of Boys where a relative of the author attended and held on to his own tragedy. 

This is a highly recommend.. don’t let the length scare you. It will go by fast!