Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution (Testimonies from our Imprisoned Sisters)

I became interested in this book after reading "I know this much is true" and "She's come undone". I was hesitant to buy it after reading that it was not written by Lamb but after reading some of the reviews I decided to take a chance on it. I finished the book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down.

The stories really are sometimes hard to hear, but it feels like something that needs to be heard. The stories in the book do humanize these writers who are criminals - but they are humans first - who have a story to tell. It isn't exactly the other side of the story - more like the background for the paths these women chose. It will make you think twice before passing judgement on a person without knowing their story. If you had had a different background or story would you have made the same choices?

I highly recommend this book.

Sure, Wally Lamb has written two of the greatest books of all time and lent his expertise to the stories of the women in this book, but these women did a fine job on their own. The stories of these women are heart-wrenching, but at the same time inspiring. They are about as far away from victim-hood as one can possibly get. A great book leaves it's mark on the reader and this one has surely left a mark on me. This is a book I will remember forever. Yes, these women are all in prison, or have been in prison for doing terrible things, but they are not terrible people, they have all come to terms with their life and found peace through their writing. Get your hands on a copy of this book, read it and pass it along to your friends and family, you won't be disappointed!!

Oh, I liked Wally Lamb immediately upon reading his introduction. (I had not read his previous books, despite their "Oprah Book Club" status). In his intro he speaks of his inability to say no to things, especially good causes. So, he keeps a pre-scripted index card by the phone to help him decline requests/offers. But, when the prison called asking him to teach a writing workshop (to help counter the depression/suicides sweeping the maximum security facility)he couldn't find said index card, and was forced to go.

The stories are all interesting...some are better at writing then others, all are important. All are also, unfortunately, but probably unevitably, DEPRESSING. This is a very powerful book. I think that a few of the stories in the beginning were a bit weaker (but maybe I was just having an "off" day) but then things got rolling. Wheh! It is so important to have people read things like this, and realize that incarcerated persons are still PEOPLE. Made me very aware of all my blessings. (ie. I was never abused or molested, I always had a roof over my head and enough to eat, never doubted that my parents loved me, etc).

Thank you, Wally Lamb, for helping to give these women's voices to the world. If every new writer could look as deeply and write as truthfully as these participants in his workshop at a Connecticut prison, there would be a lot more books worth reading. Many of these women have a very natural gift for language, and their stories (mostly nonfiction, but some fiction) are as honest as writing gets. The first two essays alone make the book a worthwhile purchase; I hope some of these writers go on to publish more.

I live about fifteen minutes from York and work at a halfway house for drug addicted women trying to get their lives back on track and many of our clients come from this prison...point being I obviously could not wait to read this book. I was not disappointed-it is uplifting and heartwrenching- it teaches compassion and shows these are women are HUMAN BEINGS not just criminals. I am glad Mr. Lamb started this writing program at the prison and that despite the efforts of some to shut it down it continues to thrive. For those who didn't like the book I can only say that you must have a very closed heart to not find any connection with any of these women...should we feel sorry for them, forgive their crimes? No-but should we be able to show some some compassion for those that may have had less than "wonderful" lives? Yes! Not everyone can have as horrible a life as some of these women and then simply pull themselves up by there bootstraps and live a "normal", happy, problem free life! Another reviewer said that it was like reading essays written by kids in grade school or some such nonesense...one must remember when reading this book most-although certainly not all-of the women who were contributers did not complete school and have not had much in the way of formal education-compassion for others is a beautiful quality-may this book help us all to cultivate that trait a bit more in our daily existence.

After reading this book, we have to be reminded that not everyone in prison is a bad person, although all have done bad things. All of the stories were heartwrenching, but one of the most disturbing was Diane Bartholomew's. What she must have endured during her marriage to an physical, mental and sexual abuser. These stories were haunting and very moving. We all have a testimony, but these women shared them with all who would read them. Powerful reading.

Consider me a reader who was curious about the "public outcry" against publication of this book. I'm not sure what book was read prior to various comments and judgements being made public, through the press, but I don't think I read the same book.
What I read was a collection of powerful stories written about life experiences prior to criminal behavior forming, of lessons learned, responsibility taken, sadness, remorse, and plans for living differently in the future. I read stories of hope, despite tragic past errors.
Reading this book caused me to think about things I don't often think about. I now realize that anyone who has ever driven under the influence of alcohol, used a drug to numb emotional pain, or been involved in an abusive relationship should not judge because they might easily end up with some of the same problems, actions, and consequences; this would include many of my friends and myself as well.
It took a great deal of willingness, courage and hard work to delve so deeply into painful issues, then to expose the most intimate details of their explorations to each other and also to the reading public. Perhaps some non-incarcerated individuals will read this book and think about working up the same courage and willingness to take action concerning their own situations before it becomes to late for them too.
One writer states: "Hope is a miracle that can become contageous." This woman has been out of prison for over a decade now and has fully turned her life around; she has walked away from an abusive marriage, graduated from college, and now works in the field of human services. She also is a tutor of college English for disadvantaged individuals. Kudos to Mr. Lamb for caring enough to help her, and apparantly he did so PRIOR to beginning his current workshop at YORK.
Shouldn't that be one of the relative points of a prisoner's experience, to learn lessons and to change so when a sentence is over, neither they or those around them will continue being wronged or hurt in the future?
Perhaps instead of criticizing Wally Lamb, we in society need to take a closer look at his theory concerning therapeutic writing and his teaching style. Other prisons and ultimately the world outside of prisons might greatly benifit by following his lead.

Wally Lamb said, "...to imprison a woman is to remove her voice from the world...." That statement could be turned around. To remove a woman's voice from the world can also imprison her. It is with the help of people like Lamb that women have found their voices, and enhanced their concept of self. Having also produced a book that helped women find their voices, and tell their stories, I speak from experience. It is an arduous, delicate process, yet Lamb's deft touch and sensitivity are present on every page. The clarity and objectivity of the writing demands neither pity nor praise from the reader. An engaging and thought provoking book. Good for you, Wally.

First off, I was fascinated to hear a little recap of Wally Lamb's life. Just a flash, and not full of flash - but still interesting (especially to find how he came involved with female prisoners for this novel).

Lamb did an incredible job of telling the lives of these women who were not always prisoners. They were once little girls, awkward teenagers, young and old women. What I appreciate is that Lamb let these women tell their stories, which were quite interesting, without glorifying their crimes. In fact, their crimes are just a foot-note on the side.

You are left with no decisions on if they're victims or monsters, just their stories.

Wally Lamb's, Couldn't Keep It to Myself: Testimonies from Our Imprisoned Sisters, is an amazing display of how powerful writing can be. Wally Lamb tells about his experiences at the York Correctional Institution where he taught a number of women prisoners, who have committed various crimes, how to express themselves through their writing. Not only do you gain a number of insights from his story and how it changed him, but also in the writing of the women themselves included in his book. Each woman explains with emotion what they did to get to the institution, and what life is like for them there.

I would recommend this book to anyone who really enjoys reading, or is interested in knowing what life is truly like in institutions like the one Wally Lamb gained his experiences from. You will have a better understanding of the emotional lives these women lead, as well as have gained a number of insights like the ones Wally Lamb learned.

This book was amazing. I first heard of Wally Lamb through Oprah (big shock) and loved his previous two books. When I saw this one on the shelves I purchased it without even realizing how different it would be. This book make me cry, it made me smile but most of all it made me think. Before I picked up this book I was numb to our sisters who are locked up, now I feel like a little part of me is there with them. Thanks Wally for giving all of us a glimpse into these brilliant minds, I just wish you would have included a way to contact these women and help them!

A book everyone must own. How we treat our prisoners is a direct reflection of the society we live in, isn't that what some philosopher said at one time? Wally Lamb gives these women a voice! It is done beautifully and allows the reader to contemplate our society, the choices these women had, and the conclusion: if I were in their shoes, would I have acted differently? I fell in love with these women and their honesty and vulnerability in their stories is unparalleled. It is amazing how Lamb allowed these amateur writers to experience the gift of writing, and that he so graciously shared their lives with us.

I found this book to be insightful and enlightening with regard to the women at York women's correctional facility. When my daughter, a senior in college studying criminal justice suggested I read it with her I thought it would be a collection of excuses and whinnings. I was surprised at the honesty and straight forward tone of the book. I loved it. It has made me more understanding of the women who end up in prison. It is no wonder to me now, considering the horrific childhoods that many of these women endured that these women ended up in prison.( It behoves me that they survived childhood) I understand more since reading these essays about the circumstances that got them there.

I've used this book in teaching several undergraduate classes in social work (for both social work majors and non-majors). The response from my students has been overwhelming. In some classes I had the students read only a selection from the book such as "Puzzle Pieces". Many of those students completed the book on their own. This book does a great job of drawing the reader in. I often hear students say that they couldn't put the book down and they were up very late reading it. Several students also noted that this became one of their favorite books!

This book is an Excellent well written book which tells of women who have been mere victims of abuse, neglect, rejection and unexceptance. It reveals the trouble many incarserated women go through prior to their incarseration. The women are freed by providing descriptive accounts of their dramatic childhood. By writing their memiors, they're freed from the pain endured from their problems. I found that they were freed from behind the bars, yet many of us are free from bars but still behind them!

A Must Read Book!!!!

Before I read this book, I had a stereotypical viewpoint of female prisoners. I saw them as emotionally unstable women who weren't smart enough to get out of a bad lifestyle.
I was dead wrong. The stories that these women tell are true, from the heart and honest. It's the view from the other side and you need to see it for yourself.

I read this captivating collection during me senor year of high school, and i wish that it would be on the required reading list. Coming from a very homogeneous school, it was enlightening to read about people with experiences so different from my own. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a dose of reality, or just a reason to further appreciate the blessings in their life.

What a powerful book. I love that the prisoners were given a voice and an opportunity to use writing as catharsis and an opportunity to work through and past the things that shaped their personalities. I was glad to see each woman humanized, and it was easy to feel pity for them and to wish with them that they had made better choices.

That said...the entire book came off to me as a big book of excuses. I know, I'm sure I'll be criticized for "Blame the victim" mentality.

The fact is, I grew up in an abusive home where some of the things described in this book happened to me! I also made bad choices, but I somehow managed to keep from breaking laws and victimizing others because I was once victimized myself.

People should be accountable for their actions. You are exactly who you choose to be, and that's all there is to it. I am glad these women were given a chance to be heard, and I hope that they are all better people today. But this does not lessen the crimes they committed against others. I know my opinion isn't a popular one, but I believe that once you choose to step outside the boundaries of the law and you choose to harm another person in any way, you should be punished.

I just can't make myself feel like they were somehow justified or excused. So ultimately, I just can't make myself like this book.

I believe this book should be required reading for all young(16+) girls. To understand the reasons why these women are where they are and to realize the many roads your life may take if you make the wrong choices could be a strong message. Also, many may wish to thank their lucky stars(family & friends) for the lives they now enjoy.

Pretty good book about very real people. Many people do not understand or take time to understand the lives of women prisoners. This book made me realize that things had to have happened in the past to make these women commit the crimes that they did. I would recommend it.

Wally Lamb is my very favorite author. I am anxiously awaiting publication of his next novel. Since it hasn't been finished, I bought"Couldn't Keep It To Myself" thinking it would be if not great, at least inspirational. I hated the book. (And I read most of it.) Thousands of people have very bad experiences in their lives but they are able to overcome them and do good things.Why the need to recognize people who committed crimes? For me this book was no different from VH1's "Music Behind Bars." Unless you have a soft spot for criminals, don't buy this book.