Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison
Apr 2010 · Sold by Random House
4.3star
1.94K reviews
Ebook
320
Pages
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About this ebook
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.
Praise for Orange Is the New Black
“Fascinating . . . The true subject of this unforgettable book is female bonding and the ties that even bars can’t unbind.”—People (four stars)
“I loved this book. It’s a story rich with humor, pathos, and redemption. What I did not expect from this memoir was the affection, compassion, and even reverence that Piper Kerman demonstrates for all the women she encountered while she was locked away in jail. I will never forget it.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love
“This book is impossible to put down because [Kerman] could be you. Or your best friend. Or your daughter.”—Los Angeles Times
“Moving . . . transcends the memoir genre’s usual self-centeredness to explore how human beings can always surprise you.”—USA Today
“It’s a compelling awakening, and a harrowing one—both for the reader and for Kerman.”—Newsweek
With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.
Praise for Orange Is the New Black
“Fascinating . . . The true subject of this unforgettable book is female bonding and the ties that even bars can’t unbind.”—People (four stars)
“I loved this book. It’s a story rich with humor, pathos, and redemption. What I did not expect from this memoir was the affection, compassion, and even reverence that Piper Kerman demonstrates for all the women she encountered while she was locked away in jail. I will never forget it.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love
“This book is impossible to put down because [Kerman] could be you. Or your best friend. Or your daughter.”—Los Angeles Times
“Moving . . . transcends the memoir genre’s usual self-centeredness to explore how human beings can always surprise you.”—USA Today
“It’s a compelling awakening, and a harrowing one—both for the reader and for Kerman.”—Newsweek
Ratings and reviews
4.3
1.94K reviews
Monica Spaunhorst
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December 30, 2015
It was slow and boring. I am disappointed that the book and the show share a title. Admittedly, I read the book after watching the first two seasons of the Netflix series so maybe that was the problem but overall, it was a very underwhelming book with very slight resemblance to the show. The show paints Piper in a much nastier light whereas in the book, she is the "hero" who stays out of trouble and does what she is supposed to do to get out. She is advocating for prison reform which is something that does need to be done here in the States but the book and the show should not carry a common title. Maybe I should be more critical of the show but the show is much more engaging!
14 people found this review helpful
Abby Shafer
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November 2, 2013
I'll be honest, I read this book because I watched Orange is the New Black on Netflix. The Netflix series was fascinating and refreshing whereas the memoir it was based on was not. What I gleaned from Piper Kerman's memoir is that prison isn't that bad if you're a nice white lady who does yoga and jogs. I got so bored reading about that stupid track that she ran on. Kerman is not a great author by any means. Perhaps if she'd been paired with a different editor, the book wouldn't have bored me to sleep every two hours...
6 people found this review helpful
Christine Newtz
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December 28, 2014
Having been arrested (but in no way incarcerated in the duration or manner Piper was,) I naturally was drawn to and opted to not only begin but finish this book. Very well written and an intriguing look not only into our society's criminal justice system but how even the most seemingly minor incidents can result in major consequences.
3 people found this review helpful
About the author
Piper Kerman is vice president of a Washington, D.C.–based communications firm that works with foundations and nonprofits. A graduate of Smith College, she lives in Brooklyn.
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