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A review by the_liberalafrican16
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“The Reformatory has a central villain, but the actual villain is a system of dehumanisation”
I have read LOTS of books in my lifetime and not a single one has ever made me cry…until now. What a gut wrenching ride this was. This book made me feel hopeless, horrified and heartbroken. And whilst it’s labelled as a paranormal horror, those aspects aren’t what make it terrifying. No. The reality of the characters’ situation- Robert and Gloria - depicts more horror than any ghosts or paranormal events do. Due is masterful in her storytelling and character development and you really see how our protagonist transforms from a scared little teenage into a traumatised but resolved character who sheds his fears despite the hell he’s been sentenced to endure. I cried multiple times and had to take many moments just to breathe, but I couldn’t put this book down. Considering it’s inspired by the real events at Dozier School for boys (a truly dreadful place), this is an emotive combination of fiction and real history that everyone should read.
I have read LOTS of books in my lifetime and not a single one has ever made me cry…until now. What a gut wrenching ride this was. This book made me feel hopeless, horrified and heartbroken. And whilst it’s labelled as a paranormal horror, those aspects aren’t what make it terrifying. No. The reality of the characters’ situation- Robert and Gloria - depicts more horror than any ghosts or paranormal events do. Due is masterful in her storytelling and character development and you really see how our protagonist transforms from a scared little teenage into a traumatised but resolved character who sheds his fears despite the hell he’s been sentenced to endure. I cried multiple times and had to take many moments just to breathe, but I couldn’t put this book down. Considering it’s inspired by the real events at Dozier School for boys (a truly dreadful place), this is an emotive combination of fiction and real history that everyone should read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Grief