I wasn’t curious about this book at first. I had heard about the TV show, but didn’t realize it was based on a memoir until I heard Piper Kerman interviewed on the Diane Rehm Show. Listening to Kerman’s story struck a chord with me and I immediately requested this book when I got to the library. And when it came in I casually flipped it open, and to use a fishing metaphor, I swallowed that hook. Unfortunately I was at work, and as much as folks believe to the contrary, librarians do not sit around and read all day. But I could feel that book tugging at me all day.
Piper Kerman, in case you don’t know, went to a minimum security federal prison in Danbury, CT for thirteen months for a stupid mistake she made when she was in her early twenties: she carried a suitcase full of drug money across international borders. Ten years later the feds came looking for her. What I love about Kerman is her attitude – she knows she committed a crime, and was willing to face the consequences. She did her time, and she paid her debt, and she did it with a stoicism that I find admirable.
I devoured this book over the course of the weekend; I found it so compelling that I read in every spare second I could find. The thing that struck me most about her observations about life in prison is that there is more of a community spirit there than I could have ever imagined. Everyone is in the same boat, and the women are more focused on helping each other out than sticking a shiv in a bitch. It wasn’t Club Fed either, as so many of us think. There was no air conditioning, lousy food, and you had to buy all your soap, toothpaste, and shampoo. And if you don’t have a GED? Good luck trying to afford your soap because you’ll make 14 cents an hour for 40 hours of work. And their GED program had been shut down due to a mold infestation in the classrooms.
The thing I liked best about Kerman was the lesson she learned in prison. She, like me, is very much a loner, fiercely independent, and determined to fix her own mistakes without asking for help. But she learned that sometimes the only way to do that is to allow others to help you, to support you, and lift you up.
I did watch the first episode of the Netflix TV show, and I wasn’t as impressed. Hollywood as usual, has to go for the -overly-dramatic, and the character of Piper is timid, scared, and a pushover. The real Piper Kerman was scared, absolutely, but she did not let others take advantage of her. If it gets better let me know, but I just want to slap “Piper Chapman” and tell her to get a backbone.
Last week Sheila, the lady who did my pedicure said something interesting. We were talking about a mutual friend who was hurt by another woman’s cruel words. She threw her hands in the air and said, “We women need to build each other up! This tearing each other down is ridiculous and has to stop.” I wholeheartedly agree. And Piper Kerman showed me that we can do that, no matter where we spend our time.
Update: I got through the first few episodes and it got better. I was hooked and have now watched all episodes of both season currently available. Now that I can separate it from the book, I love it. ~AMK, 8/30/14
Just a Reading Fool 