48 pages 1 hour read

Piper Kerman

Orange Is the New Black

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2010

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison follows Piper Kerman's 13-month incarceration in a federal women's prison in Danbury, Connecticut, starting with her involvement in a drug trafficking scheme right after college, leading to her arrest, and her eventual imprisonment. The memoir explores themes of justice, racial and socio-economic divides, and community within the prison system through her firsthand experiences and the friendships she forms with fellow inmates. It addresses sensitive topics such as drug trafficking, incarceration, and the struggles faced by women in prison.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman offers a gripping, personal account of life in a women’s prison, praised for its candid narrative and social commentary. While many commend its eye-opening perspective and humor, some criticize it for lacking depth in addressing systemic issues. Overall, it provides a thought-provoking glimpse into the prison system.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Orange Is the New Black?

Readers who enjoy memoirs with themes of personal growth, justice, and diverse narratives would appreciate Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman. Similar to The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, this book appeals to those interested in true stories of resilience, self-discovery, and reform within the American penal system.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Race / Racism

Incarceration

Social Justice

Themes

Identity: Race

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Biography