Orange is the New Black

By Piper Kerman

Orange is the New Black - Piper Kerman
  • Release Date: 2010-04-06
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4
4
From 2,042 Ratings

Description

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
 
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.com
 
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

Reviews

  • Thought provoking and reveals sisterhood among prisoners

    5
    By omgcarson
    This was a great book. I am a huge fan of the Netflix show Orange is the New Black and I decided to give this book a try. Piper Kerman reveals the major flaws in our justice system and makes you question why punishment should comprise of stripping humanity from an individual (especially over petty non violent offenses). Also, Kerman takes you on a journey of compassion among complete strangers and shows the importance of having each other’s backs. This book shares a resemblance to the Netflix series but it’s not identical to the series. The characters were definitely more mellow compared to the animated characters we see in the show. I recommend this book!
  • An Important Book Written with A Big Heart

    5
    By Long legion
    Piper has written a very personal memoir that will open your eyes about our country’s prisons and the individuals who are incarcerated. She has written her story with honesty, grace, and humor. Orange is The New Black is an excellent book filled with sad, anxious, and downright funny occurrences in the daily life of a prisoner.
  • Orange is the new black

    5
    By Zeus410
    Great book. Hopefully the prison systems have been overhauled.
  • Don’t come here expecting the show… informative read if you read between the lines!

    4
    By PelicanFreak
    First of all, if you come to this book thinking it's anything like the amazing Netflix series - stop. It's a good read but an entirely different animal. As this reads, Piper had it fairly good as far as being deprived of freedom & basic human rights goes of course, being white, upper class, etc. However please don't miss the bigger picture. That she and her prison-mates are in large part NOT a danger to society and are locked away for doing things that should be decriminalized. Meanwhile harder criminals get released due to "over-crowding". Piper does alright, making it in with the 'popular' crowd & keeping her nose clean, so to speak. Reading about her experience was interesting enough to keep the pages turning. Reading between the lines, I feel like some of the drama that was made up for the Netflix Series might be more true-to-life in prison life, especially the funding part, as politicians are involved. Overall interesting from many perspectives and I do recommend.
  • Dabbb

    5
    By MykaylaBieber
    This book is dope. I hate reading ...but good job Kerman
  • captivating

    4
    By LilyintheLake
    Really interesting book. Much tamer than the Netflix series, which is a bit racy. Was inspired to donate to the prison book projects listed at the end of the book.
  • Orange is The New Black

    4
    By ErickRodrigoA
    Completely raw, entertaining and truth. Great read to pass the time and actually know the reality of U.S prisons. Yes, the book is almost different from the series (drama) but it is also a good read and know what Piper has actually gone through.
  • Not as good as the tv show :(

    3
    By Mommyofmanykids
    I typically always watch the movie (based on a best selling or otherwise popular book) prior to reading the same story, otherwise I'm usually left disappointed. As we all know, customarily books are better than most movies given the descriptive details contained therein, and therefore it often "ruins" the movie for readers when the film version doesn't live up to the vivid imagery the author has already pre-painted in the reader's mind. However, this is the one and only instance I can recall whereby the opposite occurred for me...the BOOK was actually disappointing in comparison to the television series.
  • Better than the show

    5
    By Claypoolgd
    I actually enjoyed the book more than the show and I love the show!
  • Ehhhh

    2
    By Leslieamanda1
    I had high expectations as I loved the TV series. However it was hard to get past pipers cocky tune throughout the book as she continually reminded us she wasn't better than anyone else, in effect constantly saying just that. There were some good stories but it mostly seemed like a way for her to talk about herself.