Reviews

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton, Lara Love Hardin

meganlafrench's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

A very fast read. Very well written. Uplifting despite the dark subject matter. Eye opening for those who do not understand institutional racism in the U.S.

sbricks's review against another edition

This is a book everyone should read. I can not give this book a rating. But the words are remarkable and need to be heard by all.

krissy_reads's review against another edition

5.0

We know the U. S. criminal justice system is incredibly flawed. To read about Ray's experience and the years stolen from him makes these issues more real. This story is heartbreaking, but it is worth your time to read it. Ray is exceptional.

darthvargas's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

veronicasbooks's review against another edition

5.0

Wow! What a fantastic book. Anthony Ray Hinton has experienced one of the worst injustices I've ever heard of. Hearing him tell his story, it is absurd that he was arrested, absurd he was found guilty, and unbelievable that it took so long for him to be released from prison. God was working through him during that time while he was in prison, and hopefully Ray understands that he has impacted so many people because of it. In general, I think Ray would have had an amazing story to tell. His zest for life, women, and his great love for his friends and family is uplifting and inspiring. I am sorry he had to go through what he did to tell this story. The parts where he talks about the other aspects of his life were fascinating as well. I was enthralled the entire audiobook. I would recommend this book to all!!

julierebecca21's review against another edition

5.0

Just wow! Another book that should be required reading. So important and impactful.

mlglenn's review against another edition

5.0

I started this book thinking the week would turn out different, and we would end with knowing the country had elected its first woman as president, a woman who was also a person of color. Then that all fell apart, and this book, which was already a heartwrenching and devastating story, somehow became more so.

Books like this have NEVER been more important. I don't know how a single person can hear a story like Anthony Ray Hinton's and believe that the criminal justice system in this country isn't corrupt and inherently racist, still filled with "good ol' boys" who are willing and ready to make a black man a suspect regardless of evidence. I don't know how people can be okay with the death penalty, a barbaric institution that has been outlawed in most countries throughout the world. This book should be required reading for everyone, not just Americans, especially as we're about to move into a time many of us never wanted to see again.

cudaaman's review against another edition

4.0

A spare and moving story of a man who won't let insurmountable circumstances allow him to lose hope. Hinton spent roughly 30 years on death row for a crime he didn't commit and he never stopped fighting. The writing is a bit repetitive in spots, but the story is so inspiring it carries the day.

monicadee88's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Incredible account of one man's first-hand experience with the US justice system and its failures. Impeccably narrated, Hinton's story is compelling, hopeful, and deeply moving. His insider's look at death row and its inhabitants (guards and prisoners) is one I won't soon forget.

bookitbean's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Wrongfully convicted stories are so heartbreaking. Anthony Ray Hinton is a special individual. His hope, his attitude, his outlook on life and ability to forgive is unbelievable. I appreciate that there is a process to overturn a conviction, but the injustice he faced was a whole other level. I don’t know how people can sleep at night having had a hand in these actions. Thank goodness for Bryan Stevenson and others like him. I don’t know how folks like him sleep at night either, with lives literally depending on them. But I’m glad that folks like him are out there fighting, no matter what it takes.