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A review by selendrea
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
If you're considering reading this book - DO IT. Even at almost 600 pages, I flew through this book, so anxious and emotionally invested in the story. I finally was able to cry at the last page after letting out a long breath. Due expertly constructed such loveable and three-dimensional characters that I wanted so badly to hug through the book. The second I realized that Robert, the main character and 12 year old boy, was wearing too-big shoes that his father sent him, I knew this would be a heart-wrenching novel. Robert proceeds to literally try and fill his papa's shoes and courageously survive a violent situation that threatens to absolutely destroy him.
Due's writing is so straightforward and easy to digest. As someone from the South as well, I appreciated that I could almost hear the accents through the dialogue. I felt that the world of Gracetown was vibrantly fleshed out. Due put in work richly explaining the hostile environment for the Stephens family, but also the love and support they receive, even if their loved ones were far away or no longer living. The heartfelt moments were perfect to balance out the horrors of this novel.
And boy are there horrors. The Reformatory is not for the weak-willed. While it has a supernatural flair, this narrative's true horror is in the breathing flesh. I found myself continuously so angry, not only at the events of the book, but also at the fact that so much of this unfair system is still present today, 75 years later. Unjust and racist policing and judicial systems, for-profit prisons, and well meaning people looking the other way...
That is where Due's largest strength lies: crafting an enthralling fictionalized narrative that also forces the reader to face the mistreatment of mankind that is still relevant today. Reading The Reformatory not only allowed me to experience a complex and inspiring story, but also think more deeply about current society.
Due's writing is so straightforward and easy to digest. As someone from the South as well, I appreciated that I could almost hear the accents through the dialogue. I felt that the world of Gracetown was vibrantly fleshed out. Due put in work richly explaining the hostile environment for the Stephens family, but also the love and support they receive, even if their loved ones were far away or no longer living. The heartfelt moments were perfect to balance out the horrors of this novel.
And boy are there horrors. The Reformatory is not for the weak-willed. While it has a supernatural flair, this narrative's true horror is in the breathing flesh. I found myself continuously so angry, not only at the events of the book, but also at the fact that so much of this unfair system is still present today, 75 years later. Unjust and racist policing and judicial systems, for-profit prisons, and well meaning people looking the other way...
That is where Due's largest strength lies: crafting an enthralling fictionalized narrative that also forces the reader to face the mistreatment of mankind that is still relevant today. Reading The Reformatory not only allowed me to experience a complex and inspiring story, but also think more deeply about current society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism