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A review by claudyne
Prisoner's Wife by asha bandele
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.