This book feels more timely than ever before! John Edgar Wideman’s brother was incarcerated while he went on to become a Rhodes Scholar. Wideman puts his creative writing skills to work tracing this story of racism, prejudice, abuse, survivorship, and social justice. If you’re interested in learning about the American justice system, this is a great place to start.

Originally published in 1984, “Brothers and Keepers” by John Edgar Wideman is about family and his brother Robert’s incarceration. (The 2020 published version includes a foreword by Robert after 50 years in prison).

John and Robby live in two separate worlds. One becomes a Rhodes Scholar, professor and award-winning storyteller, the other a heroin addict who gets sentenced to prison for a botched robbery-turned-murder.

This memoir explains the details behind Robby’s life sentence without parole, and how the African American brothers contend with trauma, racism and the harsh conditions of the American prison system.

A famed storyteller, John compares and contrasts his life with his brother as he gets to know Robby through prison glass visits. The guards are the “Keepers” who make life difficult for the prisoners and visitors alike.

It’s no wonder why John is an acclaimed writer, having taught creative writing and winning the PEN/Faulkner Award twice. This is a fascinating story of brotherhood, survivorship, racism and social injustice.

Special thanks to Scribner for providing me with a limited-time electronic copy, via NetGalley, in exchange for my review.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher, Simon & Schuster, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The author of this book is the brother of a convicted murderer. John’s brother, Robby, is raised by the same parents but was a rebel. It is the journey Robby took to end up in prison and life thereafter. He paid dearly with a life in prison sentence for robbery, murder and flight. The book is written from both perspectives, i.e., family of a loved one in prison and the prisoner. It shares the “systemic dehumanization prisons are designed to inflict upon prisoners and their visitors.” It is written “objectively about the prison system from outside.” I found it pretty eye opening! Sadly, there is a strong need for American people to be more educated on prison reform in the U.S. Robby becomes college educated while serving time and is teaching other prisoners. That is, until the educational system is removed from the prison. Rehabilitation seems to no longer be the goal.

This book enlightens the reader of racism, prejudices, prisoner abuse and retaliation. It’s a story of the impact to the entire family and friends. Society seems to have a narrow view on helping young, rebellious people conform. Also, the psychiatric needs of some prisoners are sadly ignored. “What I’m saying is a dude comes out the joint worser off than he was when he came in.” This book is “for you, the reader, so you’ll know how it felt.” After reading this book, you will know.