A dark and emotional historical horror, The Reformatory is a thousand injustices that bleed across the page. An astounding work that blends post-colonial literature, civil rights, human monsters and supernatural mysteries into a single, gripping narrative, it’s a book that deserves high praise.
Set in Florida, 1950s, Gracetown is a segregated and insular community. White residents are afforded the American dream of education and justice and prosperity whilst the black community still fear the oppression of a politically privileged elite. Red McCormack is one of those few; a rich and hugely influential farmer, his connections across the town, both black and white, run deep. For the Stephens family, they are bound to him by a history of slavery, their house given to their grandfather upon his freedom. However, that history isn’t far removed and, in all but name, black men, women and children are still treated like slaves.
When McCormack’s son makes inappropriate advances on Gloria Stephens one innocuous morning, her younger, twelve year old brother, defends her. Despite the fact that these children grew up together, the minor scuffle lights a terrible fire. The complex background behind this small event unravels, highlighting the monstrous attitude of a time and place steeped in ethnic hatred, political ignorance and contradictory beliefs. Robbie Stephens, whose father was run out of town for inciting black worker rights, and whose mother recently passed from cancer, suddenly finds himself at the mercy of men who would use him as an example to justify oppression and sufferance.
Sentenced to six months at the Reformatory the true horror of the prevailing political system comes to bear. Offered no representation, Robbie is given over to an institution where corporal punishment and slave labour is the norm. Seen through the perspective of Gloria, a sixteen year old, desperately seeking justice, and Robbie trapped in a place where there is none, the emotional impact and helplessness of their shared plight is palpable. However, intertwined amongst all of these human abuses is a gothic, supernatural element whose effect is equally profound. Ghosts haunt the very soil of Gracetown, reminders of all the grief and grievances that are weaved through the landscape and community of the place. As a metaphor for the terrible past that the black community share, the spilt blood and terrible memories that haunt families, it is a stark reminder that, in certain places, these things are yet to be put to rest.
Weaving Robbie’s story of survival against men who embody the very definition of evil, as he navigates the ghosts that seek peace, alongside Gloria’s battle against a system designed to oppress, The Reformatory is a layered and powerful narrative. Drenched in the history of the American south, of political subjugation, the true horror of men given freedom to act with impunity is a terrifying combination. It’s not hard to comprehend how it is humans who do the real harm whilst ghosts (and memories) direct things in ways that both help and hinder.
A complex and compelling retelling of a terrible history, The Reformatory is a powerful example of what horror can achieve. Dripping with dread and exploding with terrible violence at times, the conflagration of human and supernatural terrors creates an engrossing narrative of huge and important scope. Stunningly crafted and truly meaningful, it’s a exceptional work of fiction.
Review copy
Published by Titan Books
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