Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

58 reviews

bookended's review against another edition

dark emotional

4.5

4.5/5
Thank you to Saga Press, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free e-copy of this book!

Please be warned the triggers in this read include: racial slurs, abuse, extreme violence , racism.. 

The storytelling in this read was beyond words and left me speechless from start to end. The Reformatory takes place in 1950's Gracetown, Florida, following both Gloria and Robert (Robbie) Stephens, when Robert found himself being sent to a Boy's School (which is led by THE MOST disgusting man) after an incident with his neighbor. 

This was a horrific, heart-dropping, stomach-turning read, that was written so well. And knowing that this read was inspired by true events from Tananarive Due's family history made it that much more memorable.  Historical Fiction at its finest.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Sexual assault

mariakureads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

This is a book that is going to stay with me long after today.

Due wrote an amazingly haunting, gripping and atmospheric tale full of history, and rich with characters to tell this tale of a young black boy in the 1950's, Jim Crow era, who in protecting his sister from a white boy's unwanted advances, is sent to "the Reformatory", a "school" for boys that runs more like a sweatshop/prison in which everyone is aware of but truly have no idea of the real going ons within.

I am speechless with how much I want to talk about this but also aware I don't have all the words I need to use to express how amazing this book really is. At moments, I was left breathless, hair raised and goosebumps all over from the tension and fear radiating from the pages and in some moments just held in suspense at what I was hearing as Joniece Abbott-Pratt narrated this book. 

Her narration had me enthralled and pulled me in further as she read in different tones and voices for every character making it easy for me to keep pace with who was who but also her use of tone helped drive key moments in the story as her voices lowers, whispers, breaks and holds the tension in the heavier scenes while bringing in warmth and love for others.

This may be the first time I'm introduced to either , but this won't be my last hopefully. Highly recommend this just be aware that this has some triggering moments so  check the content warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Bullying

racheltheripper's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Torture, Child death, Body horror, Blood, Grief, Gore, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent

queenpashon's review against another edition

Racial Trauma

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Torture, and Violence

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Racial slurs

kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

this is one of those books I can’t call “enjoyable” because  frfr it had me sweating and my stomach in knots the whole time. that being said, it was a gripping, sad, informative read. the pacing is surprisingly fast for a book this large, and the plot was very neat.

the speculative and horror elements wove well with the historical fiction aspects, and I really enjoyed how we got a glimpse into so many minds, even if they weren’t always good minds to be in. the way the narrative flowed from one brain to the other was so smooth and satisfying. gloria and robbie were lovely, if tragic :( such sweet, empathetic children in a world where they can sense even more harm than usual due to their clairvoyance. heartbreaking

I also love love love that the author included books in the authors note that tell the true story of the school this novel is based on; it’s clear that she did a lot of careful, tactful research for this book, and wants us to do the same. this is not a light read by any means, but it is a good one 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Child abuse, Grief, Torture, Hate crime, and Gun violence

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, and Child abuse

Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness

bookscatcoffee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Haunting, both literally and in the true tales related about a horrific place (Dozier), this book is a reckoning.  The writing is clear and the plot moves, but it’s not so fast that the lessons that need to be told about racism, sexism, homophobia, and the million other ways that white supremacy has screwed up America fade.  It is stark and visceral and a great story about terrible things.  Definitely worth reading!  4.5 stars

Historical horror with Black characters

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Torture, Child abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Violence, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Murder, and Bullying

courtneyadh's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this book and truly could not put it down. But it is very intense. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Bullying

Minor: Classism, Rape, Pedophilia, and Vomit

kirstyyreadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Torture, Body horror, Physical abuse, Blood, Child death, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, and Racial slurs

Minor: Rape, Death of parent, and Animal death

hughesie's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement

Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Racial slurs, Torture, Bullying, Rape, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Grief, Hate crime, and Pedophilia

Minor: Antisemitism, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, and Sexual assault

heartfelthullabaloo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.0

It was good but I’m glad it’s over. I was on pins and needles the whole time bracing for something terrible to happen and I’m glad that the author didn’t choose to be more explicit in her descriptions. Unlike any magical realism I’ve read, that aspect did lend an intriguing hand to the storyline. I have heard nothing but glowing recommendations of this book and that was the only thing that gave me the courage to read it after reading the description. Anyone who says we haven’t come far from times like these is crazy. I feel extremely blessed to live in this day and age.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia