claudyne's review against another edition
5.0
I hate this book.
asha bandele is an amazing writer. To call her an amazing writer is an understatement. This book took me with her, to prison, about her daily life, to her doubts. It made me feel as though I was in the room with asha and Rashid for every caress, every phone call and every argument. I had to close the book and remind myself that I was not on a prison van or in a trailer. I am rarely so transported and deeply involved in a book.
The Prisoner's Wife is truly a love story, as asha writes. "This is a love story." Only an all-consuming, passionate and devoted love could span a prison sentence and the numerous indignities that occurred.
However, as much as I appreciate asha's devotion to her spouse, I can't help but feel so very sorry for Rashid. I don't believe he was ever truly in prison until he met asha. It was not until he met a woman he had an affinity with, physically, spiritually and intellectually, but could not build a traditional home with, the he truly felt the weight of his 20 years to life prison sentence. Rashid helped asha sort through her trauma, loved her intimately but without coitus, finally married her and realized the sexual nature of their relationship, then suffered through her abortion of their child. He was not able to bear witness to her life on a daily basis, as much as he had finally found a woman he would want to spend the rest of his life with. He has truly been cut off for the world and the joys it possesses. Until unadulterated joy and true love are on the other side of the Plexiglass, no one is truly in jail.
This piece of literature ripped my beating heart from my chest and I've been through the ringer with it. I hate this book, but I have nothing but admiration for asha for writing it, and to Rashid for inspiring it.
This was a love story, that much is true.
asha bandele is an amazing writer. To call her an amazing writer is an understatement. This book took me with her, to prison, about her daily life, to her doubts. It made me feel as though I was in the room with asha and Rashid for every caress, every phone call and every argument. I had to close the book and remind myself that I was not on a prison van or in a trailer. I am rarely so transported and deeply involved in a book.
The Prisoner's Wife is truly a love story, as asha writes. "This is a love story." Only an all-consuming, passionate and devoted love could span a prison sentence and the numerous indignities that occurred.
However, as much as I appreciate asha's devotion to her spouse, I can't help but feel so very sorry for Rashid. I don't believe he was ever truly in prison until he met asha. It was not until he met a woman he had an affinity with, physically, spiritually and intellectually, but could not build a traditional home with, the he truly felt the weight of his 20 years to life prison sentence. Rashid helped asha sort through her trauma, loved her intimately but without coitus, finally married her and realized the sexual nature of their relationship, then suffered through her abortion of their child. He was not able to bear witness to her life on a daily basis, as much as he had finally found a woman he would want to spend the rest of his life with. He has truly been cut off for the world and the joys it possesses. Until unadulterated joy and true love are on the other side of the Plexiglass, no one is truly in jail.
This piece of literature ripped my beating heart from my chest and I've been through the ringer with it. I hate this book, but I have nothing but admiration for asha for writing it, and to Rashid for inspiring it.
This was a love story, that much is true.
poenaestante's review against another edition
4.0
I read this when I was volunteering in San Quentin. I felt like I was walking on a scary razor blade. This book sorta clarified things. Thank you asha!
bluenicorn's review against another edition
2.0
I think that I just prefer writing that is more linear. She uses some really beautiful turns of phrase, and some of the issues she discusses really hit home for me. But... I was left kind of puzzled at the end of the book, and I wasn't amazed at her story-telling.
mcerrin's review against another edition
5.0
"Could they reject the greatest love they've ever known just because it came from the worst place they've ever known?"
What a stunning, gifted writer asha bandele is. An absolutely beautiful book.
What a stunning, gifted writer asha bandele is. An absolutely beautiful book.
hollysue22's review against another edition
2.0
I’m just gonna start off with saying that I just kept hoping for more the more I read. It didn’t go in chronological order really and I really prefer books that do. The writing was good and the author is obviously a good writer. It just kinda left me wondering what ended up happening and etc.
choirqueer's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful, heart-wrenching read. I powered right through it in under a day, unable to put it down. It is the story of a woman who falls in love with a man who is in prison, and she's crafted a powerful memoir about that experience. I cried more than a few times while reading it.
cw: racism, prison abuse, child sexual abuse.
cw: racism, prison abuse, child sexual abuse.
iratner's review against another edition
5.0
I can't remember a time I've read a book so raw and honest! Asha Bandele's writing is so smooth, so fluid, the reader can almost hear her breaths. This book takes you beyond anything you'd have thought a marriage to a prisoner would be. It's powerful, provocative, and so incredibly honest. I didn't want it to end-- a must-read for all!
library_lurker's review against another edition
5.0
this book is eloquent, gripping, heartbreaking, written in short poetic chapters that get their point across beautifully. i would recommend it to anyone who's ever loved anyone, in any way, who's incarcerated. i would even recommend it to those who have not. it is addictive, it is necessary, it is vital.