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A review by pages_with_a_preoccupied_prin
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow. This book is something else. I couldn't put it down and will have a book hangover, for sure! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
The story telling from the off was well paced and immense. The characters were so well developed that if you told me they were real people, I would believe you. The story itself is harrowing but needs to be told. There is the perfect mix of historic relevance, horror elements, and intense stress.
Gloria, Robbie and Miz Lottie were so loveable as characters that you want the best for them throughout. Tananarive does an incredible job of focusing on the main characters, whilst introducing plenty of important side characters, but doesn't draw the story or focus to them too much.
The books pacing was perfection. I could read this book over and over again and not get bored. It made me cry, had me on the edge of my seat, and so stressed I couldn't concentrate on anything else, and I frequently gasped aloud on my commute.
The fact that this is based on pieces of real history is so sad and it made me so angry that we live in a world where at some point in history this level of horrific treatment of humans was acceptable, and what is more terrifying is that you can still see aspects of it today.
Tananarive Due has an incredible piece here, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone and everyone.
I'm gutted it's over to be honest. What. A. Book!
The story telling from the off was well paced and immense. The characters were so well developed that if you told me they were real people, I would believe you. The story itself is harrowing but needs to be told. There is the perfect mix of historic relevance, horror elements, and intense stress.
Gloria, Robbie and Miz Lottie were so loveable as characters that you want the best for them throughout. Tananarive does an incredible job of focusing on the main characters, whilst introducing plenty of important side characters, but doesn't draw the story or focus to them too much.
The books pacing was perfection. I could read this book over and over again and not get bored. It made me cry, had me on the edge of my seat, and so stressed I couldn't concentrate on anything else, and I frequently gasped aloud on my commute.
The fact that this is based on pieces of real history is so sad and it made me so angry that we live in a world where at some point in history this level of horrific treatment of humans was acceptable, and what is more terrifying is that you can still see aspects of it today.
Tananarive Due has an incredible piece here, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone and everyone.
I'm gutted it's over to be honest. What. A. Book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault