This book has all the cliches of prison books and films – the framed innocent, the beatings and sexual abuse, corruption and murder – but the most alarming is that this is based on true events over a 100 -year span at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys. Various reforms outlawed certain abuses, but corrupt regimes are always able to find new forms of torture.
This is an excellent book, mixing the messages of Martin Luther King with the protagonist’s sufferings, well crafted and very good at capturing time&place. My only complaint, hence the four stars, is the ending. The twist was unnecessary and seemed very disjointed, especially after meeting the old friend in the bar after the marathon. I felt it didn’t add to the story, it was just a distraction.
Book supplied by Netgalley for an honest review.
See review on Goodreads.