Book Review: Orange Is the New Black.

Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Everybody and their mother have been tweeting about how amazing the television show was.  So naturally I've been dying to watch it, but I really try to read the source material first when it comes to movies and TV.  Abacus Books were kind enough to send me a copy to review.  And I can't say enough how glad I am to have read before I watched.

Orange Is the New Black is pretty much as its subtitle reads--it's a chronicle of Piper Kerman's personal experience of serving a year in women's prison.  I'm only one episode into the show which I feel really captures the initial terror, but it is a different Piper.  The "real" Piper of the book has so much more of a sturdy head on her shoulders (despite having the credit of a nonviolent drug crime under her belt).

What struck me most about the writing is it is so straightforward, yet so rich.  Kerman is definitely a Smith College graduate; I'm in my final year of university, and I swear I was looking up more vocabulary words than during SAT prep.   Don't let that put you off the book.  Because of the tension of the narrative and tone, this thing is an absolute page turner.  And I'm not just saying that.  Ask any of my flatmates: I have four books going that I enjoy, but have also been trying to get through for the past sixth months.  I'd would pick a stopping point while I was reading Orange Is the New Black, but when I'd reach it, I'd find myself blowing past it anyway to find out what happened next.

This book earned my laughter, closed up throat up with heartbreak, and reminded me of the brokenness of the United States prison system.

And because I want to share this book so much, I'm giving my copy away!  If you want to win it, all you have to do is leave a comment telling what country you live in and how you think you would react to/behave during your first day in prison; I'll pick my favourite.  Unfortunately, this giveaway is for the UK only (I am but a student who can nay afford hefty postage), but even if you live outside the UK, I'd still love to read your answer.

Giveaway closes: Thursday 15 August 2013 at 5PM GMT
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

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