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A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison
A powerful debut memoir from a published poet and emerging writer.
At the age of sixteen, R. Dwayne Betts-a good student from a lower-middle-class family-carjacked a man with a friend. He had never held a gun before, but within a matter of minutes he had committed six felonies. In Virginia, carjacking is a "certifiable" offense, meaning that Dwayne would be treat...more
At the age of sixteen, R. Dwayne Betts-a good student from a lower-middle-class family-carjacked a man with a friend. He had never held a gun before, but within a matter of minutes he had committed six felonies. In Virginia, carjacking is a "certifiable" offense, meaning that Dwayne would be treat...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
August 6th 2009
by Avery
(first published 2009)
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From http://weeksnotice.blogspot.com/2010/06/...
R. Dwayne Betts' A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison (2009) is a compelling and often poetic (he is in fact a published poet) memoir of a very young African American man who was put in prison for carjacking in Virginia in the mid-1990s. He was 16 at the time and served nine years.
It is a scattered book, and it moves back and forth chronologically. He plead guilty, was guilty, b...more
R. Dwayne Betts' A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison (2009) is a compelling and often poetic (he is in fact a published poet) memoir of a very young African American man who was put in prison for carjacking in Virginia in the mid-1990s. He was 16 at the time and served nine years.
It is a scattered book, and it moves back and forth chronologically. He plead guilty, was guilty, b...more
This is a familiar cautionary tale: R. Dwayne Betts, a young man of color from the Maryland suburbs of DC, ends up in prison and struggles to survive, with his commitment to reading and ongoing intellectual curiosity being the crucial factors that combine with luck to get him through the ordeal and out of the system, leaving many others less fortunate behind in that sad and terrible place. One of the benefits of the book is its newness: this is a version of the story for 21st century youth, t...more
Betts's account of his eight years in prison seems to fade in and out, topics and characters are fleeting – violence, education (lack thereof), race relations, religion, family. The narrative is loosely held together by chronology, but the lack of clear structure is probably the most accurate representation of his years behind bars.
Although I was frustrated by some smaller issues (passive sentences galore in the first few chapters gave a rough start), I felt like it was a worthwhile re...more
Although I was frustrated by some smaller issues (passive sentences galore in the first few chapters gave a rough start), I felt like it was a worthwhile re...more
What a passionate read! I was moved every time I turned a page. I think Betts summed this book up best. "This book is a confession of what it is like to be in prison. It is about hoping that there can be more moments when people who have scarred themselves, their families, and society can be given the space to redeem themselves."
I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in crime, the American Justice system, and overcoming adversity.
I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in crime, the American Justice system, and overcoming adversity.
Different from what you'd expect. Not like a stereotypical, I went to prison and read a lot of books and now I'm different. Deeper than that. Definitely a worthwhile read. I'd give it more stars, I think, if it stuck more to a chronological structure. Still, the organization of the book is interesting. The few bits of poetry he throws in seem like they'd be worth checking out for sure.
Based on journals kept while in prison, this is a powerful chronicle of eight years in prison, beginning at the age of 16. In Betts's words, "This book is a confession of what it was like to be in prison. It is about hoping that there can be more moments when people who have scarred themselves, their families and society can be given the space to redeem themselves. It is the story of the thirty minutes it took for me to shatter my life into the memory of one cell after another, and the cost...more
My Mom heard about this book on NPR and thought that given the population of people I work with and my interests that I'd enjoy this.
Sadly, it was a true disappointment.
First of all, while Betts' story is compelling, his writing is not. Many times it falls short of what it could be. Secondly, there were tons of times where I was reading and saying to myself "And why do I care about that??". Better editing could have made a better story here.
Betts ...more
Sadly, it was a true disappointment.
First of all, while Betts' story is compelling, his writing is not. Many times it falls short of what it could be. Secondly, there were tons of times where I was reading and saying to myself "And why do I care about that??". Better editing could have made a better story here.
Betts ...more
This book made me think about how some people, can just think in the moment not knowing that they might change their lives in a heartbeat. But not all people that do bad things are really bad people. Most people need things to go wrong inorder to realize that they can be, and do better things with their future
I admire this young author for writing honestly about committing the crime of carjacking as a 16 year old. This was a good cautionary tale. Betts paid dearly for his crime -- 8 tough years in a variety of prisons. Glad he not only survived, but grew from the experience & is going forward with his life.
I read this book in my capacity as the co-chair of the university's Common Experience committee. Given that our theme for the next academic year focuses on social issues and social justice, I think this book would be a good selection for our common reading.
Laura L
added it
interesting read .. interesting start to finish .. this is an excellent book for teen males on how quickly life can change with reckless choices .. happily despite the hardships .. this story has a happy evening .. L
What I wanted was a personal, in-depth look at the problems with the juvenile court/prison system. What I got was a self-entitled, almost whiney complaint about how he did something wrong and got punished for it. I got halfway then skipped to the end but still didn't find much redeeming in it. An important topic, but terrible writing.
This is on young man's account of begin incarcerated and the lessons he learned. It was easy to read and definitely provided insight in to what offenders think and feel during their time in prison.
This is one of these books that I say people should read, becuase we should all know realistically what life inside jail and prison is like.
I appreciate that the main point of the book was simply to bare witness. It's only a few pages at the end that tell where the author is now and what his accomplishments have been. He says this book isn't a redemption story, and the book is true to that.
For serioius readers, the writing might be a point of contention, but I think...more
I appreciate that the main point of the book was simply to bare witness. It's only a few pages at the end that tell where the author is now and what his accomplishments have been. He says this book isn't a redemption story, and the book is true to that.
For serioius readers, the writing might be a point of contention, but I think...more
Actually also heard the author speak and was impressed with his intelligence and the difference he is trying to make
Very good book so well written. Gives readers a look into the lives and struggles of prisoners.
Laura
marked it as to-read
I saw this guy speak at the Baltimore Book Festival and now I'm interested in reading his book.
Life in prison....how he survived in prison and how he turn his life around
Hope
marked it as to-read
heard about this on NPR - non fiction
In the first 7 chapters, I was amazed by the struggles that Betts was experiencing. His arrogance shortly led to self awareness that adventually made him a Wiser man. I didnt agree with the "attempt" charges. And also how he viewed opinion of power in the first few chapters. Also i was relieved when he had role models to depend on in prison and protect him beacause i was afraid to read what he might have experienced as a minor in a adult high sercuirty prison. I am excited to read the ...more
Not recommended.
Ugh. Found this book randomly and I am glad I read it, however, the circumstances just solidified my disgust at the juvenile "justice" system.
Powerful writer, but slightly disappointed. Some beautiful pieces of writing, but I felt the organization didn't flow for me.
I think this book is really good, it deals with a lot of problems and emotional abuse and it talks bout how he over came jail life and is now successful in life.
This was...okay. It was more of a personal chronological story of a young man who was in prison. Reflective? Insightful? Not much. I'm glad things turned out well for him, though.
Food: Since the narrative doesn't have much meat to it, I suggest some vegetarian dish. Nothing too hearty.
Food: Since the narrative doesn't have much meat to it, I suggest some vegetarian dish. Nothing too hearty.
wow, a powerful book.
I love this book. Go Dwayne, go. An incredible poet, and what a story.... so well written & absolutely haunting. His first book of poems comes out in April - looking forward to it.
i couldn't renew this because it's a new book and several people are waiting on it - so i had to return it unfinished. will try it again.
SunnyD
marked it as to-read
author who was at PPM 11/6.
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Michael Strode
marked it as to-read
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