Book · 2025 · Fiction
The Reformatory
A Novel
- mentions
- 3
- people
- 3
- podcast
- 1
- episodes
- 3
- recommendations
- 3
This is a book called The Reformatory. Yeah, The Reformatory by Tanana Reef Du is just out in paperback. It also just won the World Fantasy Award for best novel.
The best things said about it
She's fantastic and actually she's another good one for people who don't know if they are ready for horror because I would say that the reformatory is closer to historical fiction but is deeply horrifying and harrowing and also has a tremendous sense of place.
This is the Reformatory it's by Tanana RDU she's a horror expert I feel like whenever I watch a documentary about horror movies which I watch way too many of.
Why people recommend it
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due is a gripping historical horror novel set in Jim Crow-era Florida, following a young boy sent to a terrifying reform school where he can see and communicate with ghosts. The book blends supernatural thrills with vital historical commentary on systemic racism and institutional abuse. On an episode of The Book Review titled Joe Hill's Scary Book Recs and Victor LaValle on "The Haunting of Hill House", guest Joe Hill recommended the novel enthusiastically, noting that it had just been released in paperback and had recently won the prestigious World Fantasy Award for best novel. In another episode titled Two Horror Authors on the Scary Books You Should Be Reading, Steven Graham Jones also introduced the novel, praising the author as a true horror expert whose extensive knowledge of the genre shines through in her fiction. Both authors recommended the book as a standout achievement in modern horror literature, praising its ability to terrify while deeply engaging with historical injustices. Listeners and podcast guests frequently cite the title for its masterful pacing, atmospheric ghost stories, and emotional resonance. The novel remains a top recommendation for fans of supernatural fiction and historical thrillers alike, solidifying the author's reputation as a leading voice in speculative storytelling.
Every mention
Joe Hill This is a book called The Reformatory. Yeah, The Reformatory by Tanana Reef Du is just out in paperback. It… 1
“This is a book called The Reformatory. Yeah, The Reformatory by Tanana Reef Du is just out in paperback. It also just won the World Fantasy Award for best novel.”
Leigh Bardugo She's fantastic and actually she's another good one for people who don't know if they are ready for horror… 1
“She's fantastic and actually she's another good one for people who don't know if they are ready for horror because I would say that the reformatory is closer to historical fiction but is deeply horrifying and harrowing and also has a tremendous sense of place”
Steven Graham Jones this is the Reformatory it's by Tanana RDU she's a horror expert I feel like whenever I watch a documentary… 1
“this is the Reformatory it's by Tanana RDU she's a horror expert I feel like whenever I watch a documentary about horror movies which I watch way too many of”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“But her previous book, The Reformatory, was particularly like a big breakout. That was like if you get niced with ghosts.”