Review of uncorrected eBook file

"Redemption" is the true story of the Sisters of the Morning Star and their ministry to the women on Death Row in the prison in Gatesville, Texas. The state prided itself on being “tough on crime” and all the women featured here are marking time until their sentence is carried out. Some continue to proclaim their innocence while others admit their guilt.

Various chapters place a spotlight on each of the women, on the Sisters, and on the situation. It is, at times, heart-rending; many of the stories focus on the abuses suffered by the women throughout their lives. Its honesty is often brutal; the crimes are often horrific; the circumstances are truly chilling.

This is an honest, and often deeply disturbing, look at justice in one prison system; it is thought-provoking and likely to stay with the reader along after turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor / Knopf and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Redemption #NetGalley

A group of nuns walk into a Texas death row….not the beginning of a bad bar joke…actually, it becomes redemption, and not just for the incarcerated. Lawrence Wright gives a very honest, compelling account of the truly forgotten; women who have spent decades and most of their appeals on a Texas death row as the clock winds down, as their cases are forgotten. The crimes they have been convicted of are brutal, horrific. The women come from different backgrounds, situations, and circumstances; not everyone admits guilt, but all are facing the same end. Almost as an experiment, a group of nuns who have devoted their lives to prayer are asked to visit the inmates, to encourage and pray for them. The result is the bulk of Redemption, told in bold honesty. The story is amazing for all involved, in that humanity is our common thread, to be redeemed of an errant past our goal, if possible. There is no sugar-coating, however, and lives have been changed forever. Justice delayed is not justice denied. Redemption will make you take a closer look at what we call justice.

Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row by Lawrence Wright is a book chronicling the intimate relationship between a group of nuns and condemned women living on death row in Texas. The author explores how religion plays a role in forgiveness and redemption, as well as showing individuals who have committed terrible crimes mercy. Many of the women on death row chronicled in the book have been accused of committing heinous crimes but have found God on their journey. The author also questions how much of a responsibility society has had in the terrible fate these women face, since many of them were abused and/or suffered from mental illness at the time of the crimes they are accused of committing. The author also explores the claims of innocence put forth by some of these women, which I found to be compelling. I also like how the author profiles each of the women on death row individually, including background information and information pertaining to the crimes they are accused of. I found each of the women interesting and it was intriguing to read about how they each have been on a spiritual journey with God throughout their ordeal. The author also delves into important issues and contradictions within the Texas criminal justice system as well as how these issues lead to unfair treatment of those accused and convicted of crimes. I am looking forward to reading more from this author as his writing is superb and I feel as though this book led me to view the death penalty differently, as well as the criminal justice system in general.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Any book by Lawrence Wright is an immediate must read because of how well written they are. After reading Redemption, this immediately moved to my list of top books read this year. A look at women in death row in Texas and how faith has moved within their lives. Wright presents a book that offers many things to think about and once again hits it out of the park. Doesn’t provide you answers but offers you to look at your own morals. 100/10 book.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.