June 08, 2010 / Posted by: Amy Beth Arkawy / Category:
Books,
Social Issues/Trends
Thanks Radio Graffiti fans for maxing out the comment section on the “Doing Time“post. I appreciate the passionate and interesting commentary from myriad points of view. I think Molly, Liz and others who’ve suggested an RG Book Club may be on to something.
Okay, I’ve heard your arguments–and there were lots of them–but I stand by my review of “Orange is the New Black.” It’s a compelling story, told with a compassionate and surprisingly funny voice. That’s enough for me. I don’t know Piper Kerman and can’t vouch for her character–quite frankly, that’s not my job ( or yours). But wow, we’ve got a bunch of Judge Judies tagging along for the RG ride. And for those who’ve hurled harsh judgements against the author– and this reader– I’m not sure where all that vitriol is emanating from. It’s hard not to empathize with Piper, and her travails even though she caused her own plight. Ever made a mistake? Granted hers was a whopper, but she was young and reckless and paid a heavy price. Even though the most reckless thing I ever did in my early twenties was ditch grad school for my first full time radio gig ( thank God, they can’t lock you up for everything), I know good people can do bad things. And I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Of course, I’m neither privy to nor concerned about her motivations for writing the book. If she’s merely trying to cash in on a hot story as some cynics have suggested, more power to her. Is she spinning it to make herself look good–or at least less bad? No doubt. It’s a memoir. And besides being–as my agent constantly reminds me–the hot, hot genre of the day– this most personal form is inherently unreliable. It is a personal story, written from memory and told from one person’s point of view. We create our own mythology, tell ourselves our own stories in ways we can live with.
Whatever Piper Kerman’s motivations, I applaud her for telling this story. As a writer and teacher/coach, I know just how difficult it is to birth a book, how much courage it takes to tell one’s own story, especially such a painful one. Piper could have left it all behind as she walked out of that last dingy prison with a relatively small group of people aware of her crime and incarceration. For good or ill, she will now forever be tethered to this experience, this story. A story that by the way, transcends her personal journey, and offers colorful and loving portraits of the women she did her time with while it raises questions about criminal sentencing, punishment and rehabilitation in this country. For what it’s worth, she also seems to have carved out a niche as an advocate for judicial and prison reform. That, in itself, speaks to redemption.
So I’m still recommending “Orange is the New Black.” If you missed the first round of hoopla, check out my NJP article. Postcards From America’s Abyss: Brave, Funny Prison Memoir Sheds Light On Broken System | NEWS JUNKIE POST And you can read the slew of opinions in the “Doing Time” post.
For those willing to give it a chance, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts. For everyone else, case closed.
Oh, and I can’t wait to hear what you guys have to say about John Waters’ “Role Models.”
Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.
aba
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