The Reformatory: A Novel

This is a searing, painful, and magnificent book. It's a bit of a cliché, when discussing the horror genre, to say that no imaginary monster is as scary as the real world. This book is Tananarive Due circling the square for us. Yes, the demon looming over The Reformatory is racism: systemic racism, individual racism, institutionalized racism. One of the book's key strengths, I think, is how it shows the many, many ways that hatred destroys people - not only its targets and victims, but its perpetrators and its enablers as well. Nobody in the world of The Reformatory escapes being eaten alive by the inescapable cruelty of a system built on such choking bigotry. Robert and Gloria, the siblings who serve as the two central protagonists in this story, are a marvel. Their drive for survival, fueled by their love for one another, gives the book a spark of hope at its heart. That spark is fanned by the community around them, willingly throwing themselves in harm's way over and over and over again to try and save these two children and give them a shot at a better life. One of the elements of this novel that really stood out to me is how Due calls in so many other characters for an examination of their place and role in perpetuating the institutional racism at play. She is unsparing here - nobody is made out to be more of a savior than they merit - but also makes space to point out the ways in which they, too, feel threatened and constrained by the violence of the whole. I will say, one of my few critiques (and it's a pretty mild one) is that sometimes those secondary and tertiary characters feel a bit abruptly abandoned. There are quite a few minor players who drift in to the narrative in ways that seem as though they're going to be pretty important, and then we never hear about them ever again. Like I said, this is a small complaint, but at the end I did find myself wondering about a few tiny plot threads that didn't end up going anywhere. There's no getting around the fact that a lot of this book is a tough read. The subject matter by itself is sobering, and Due does not coddle her readers. You should read this, but go in understanding that it's going to hit hard. (crossposted from my Storygraph review.)

Well written historical fiction!

I absolutely loved everything about this book! From the very first page, the writing pulled me in and didn't let go. The author has such a beautiful way with words that every chapter felt effortless to read, even when the story packed an emotional punch. Fair warning, some scenes are definitely on the heavier side, so be prepared to feel ALL the feelings. My heart was put through the wringer more than once, but that's exactly what made the story so memorable. It made me laugh, ache, hope, and cheer right alongside the characters. Without giving anything away, I was so happy with how everything came together. The ending felt earned, satisfying, and left me closing the book with a smile.

This book was not what I expected based on what BookTok made it out to be. Sure, there's paranormal elements, but it hardly passes as a horror book. It's more of a historical fiction. Keeping that in mind, my rating is difficult to give because I had been expecting something so different. Also, it was several hundred pages too long. And, it's a book I would never plan to re-read because it was just so unpleasant to get through.

This book officially got me out of my reading slump. 👏🏾 I could NOT put it down. If you loved Sinners, add The Reformatory to your TBR immediately. Same eerie Southern vibes, history, family, ghosts, and the kind of story that sticks with you long after you finish. And whew... being born and raised in Florida made parts of this hit a little too close to home. Sheeeesssshhhh. 10/10. Absolutely recommend. Now excuse me while I chase another book that's half this good.