The Reformatory
by Tananarive Due
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*Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner * New York Times Notable Book * Locus Award Finalist * Winner of the Bram Stoker Award and the Shirley Jackson Award *
"You're in for a treat...one of those books you can't put down...Due hit it out of the park." --Stephen King
A gripping, page-turning "masterpiece" (Joe Hill, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman) set in Jim Crow Florida that follows Robert Stephens Jr. as he's sent to a segregated reform school that is a chamber of terrors where he sees the horrors of racism and injustice, for the living, and the dead.
Gracetown, Florida
June 1950
Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, a reformatory, for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie's journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call The Reformatory.
Robbie has a talent for seeing ghosts, or haints. But what was once a comfort to him after the loss of his mother has become a window to the truth of what happens at the reformatory. Boys forced to work to remediate their so-called crimes have gone missing, but the haints Robbie sees hint at worse things. Through his friends Redbone and Blue, Robbie is learning not just the rules but how to survive. Meanwhile, Gloria is rallying every family member and connection in Florida to find a way to get Robbie out before it's too late.
The Reformatory is a haunting work of historical fiction written as only American Book Award-winning author Tananarive Due could, by piecing together the life of the relative her family never spoke of and bringing his tragedy and those of so many others at the infamous Dozier School for Boys to the light in this riveting novel.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781982188344
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Tananarive Due
- Publisher
- S&s/Saga Press
- Published Date
- October 31, 2023
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 576
- Physical Info
- 1.5 in H x 9.1 in L x 6.3 in W (1.6 lb)
Florida during Jim Crow was a precarious time to be Black. This story is an amalgamation of too many true stories of the day. It centers around The Reformatory, based on true stories of the Dozier School for Boys.You can find summaries elsewhere. I will just say that the "haints" in this book aren't what makes it horrifying. As is often the case, the humans are worse. But there are also strong, amazing humans who fight, and sometimes win, against impossible odds.This is a book that should be read for much the same reason everyone should go to Auschwitz. I can't exactly say I enjoyed it, but I am glad for the experience. It made me a better human.
Took a bit to get into the story. Started and stopped a few times but once I started I just kept going. Based on truth that is just too horrific for words and I thank God she did not go into detail. Beautifully written the author made me feel like I was there with the boys. The only thing that bothered me (and this has nothing to do with the writer) is how people knew what was happening to these boys, knew it was wrong but did nothing to help. Just the times I guess.If you like historical fiction read this.
Racism, injustice, ghosts, family and unconditional love. This story is heart wrenching, yet triumphant. I loved Robert and Gloria’s spirit. Everyone needs a Gloria in their life.
Such an amazing story
This book was absolutely AMAZING! The author’s style evokes the feeling of being present and experiencing the events alongside the characters. This book has it all… grief, sadness, fear, racism, bigotry, murder, and abuse. On the other hand, the author was able to insert redemption, determination, resilience, and bravery. Though this is historical fiction, the author had a keen ability to draw from the experiences of real people and create a riveting depiction of the realities of this time period. I’m excited to read more from her!
