No More Tomorrows: The Compelling True Story of an Innocent Woman Sentenced to Twenty Years in a Hellhole Bali Prison

by Kathryn Bonella, Schapelle Corby

It was meant to be a two-week holiday to celebrate her sister's birthday, but for Schapelle Corby it ended up a waking nightmare. Arrested at Denpasar airport after marijuana was found in her luggage, she became the victim of every traveller's darkest fear. Over four kilograms of drugs had been planted in her bag after she'd checked it in and she was forced to face the consequences of someone else's crime in a country where the penalties for drug smuggling are among the harshest in the world.

Her trial and conviction became one of the biggest news stories of the decade and her family watched in horror as she was sentenced to 20 years in jail. Yet despite the huge media coverage, the one voice the public never properly heard was Schapelle's. Now, in this compelling book, she tells her own story: of being wrenched from a carefree holiday and incarcerated in a stinking police cell and of learning to survive - in the squalor, discomfort and violence of an Indonesian jail. It is an account like no other and will be one of the most unforgettable books you'll ever read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, True Crime, Crime, Asia, Memoir, Australia

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Australian Journalist
Former 60 Minutes tv producer.
Kathryn has written 4 bestselling books.
Instagram @kathryn.bonella

Snowing in Bali

SNOWING IN BALI/KATHRYN BONELLA
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...


Operation Playboy


OPERATION PLAYBOY / KATHRYN BONELLA
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...


Hotel Kerobokan


"HOTEL KEROBOKAN" [HOTEL K]
https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=HO...


Schapelle Corby My Story (also titled No More Tomorrows.)

"SCHAPELLE CORBY MY STORY" [NO MORE TOMORROWS]
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult and undeniably compelling read. Whatever your opinion on Schapelle Corby, (I'm more or less in the Innocent camp, but ultimately it doesn't really matter what I think and of course I can only base that on my experience with this book and various things I've picked up in the media over the years), it's a nightmarish situation.

Innocent or guilty however, the punishment far outweighed the crime. To be sitting in jail with a twenty year sentence because of 4.2 kilograms of marijuana, when murderers are often been sentenced to five years or less is so unbalanced. I don't think the importation of a drug, especially what is surely the least serious drug available, should be treated as a more serious crime than hanging a baby (sorry if that example upsets people, but three years for the murder of a one month old baby was a comparison I just couldn't shake). If there were some logical laws put in place, precedents that were consistently followed, perhaps it may seem more fair. But that there isn't is bizzare.
Anyway, this is an easy read in the sense that it is well written, clear, easy to follow and easy to connect with. It's more grueling in the sense that the situation is horrible. I had a lot of sympathy for many of the prisoners in the book. I do think knowing she is no longer in prison makes the reading process slightly easier. It was at times difficult to read, but she had to live it for many years, which is something almost unimaginable. The book gives an idea of course, but it's difficult to try and wrap my head around what it would actually be like day in and day out.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Schapelles case since day 1 and could never decide if she was innocent or guilty but after reading her story I was left in no doubt as to her innnocence.

I am also in little doubt as to indonesias govt's lack of care for human life. What Schapelle has had to endure in the first 5 years of her sentence no body should have to put up with. On the flip side if even Schapelle is a little bit guilty of this crime the time already served should be more than enough. Imposing a 20 year sentence for a drug crime is harsh and inhumane and considering if you are a murderer you get less jail time.

All in all I am amazed at Schapelles resilience and perserverence at seeking justice and the continued support of her family in what is very difficult circumstances for all. And while her family are not locked up in Hotel K they are also serving a sentence of their own with having to put their own lives on hold while they fight with all they have to get Schapelle freed.

A worthy read to anyone whho doubts this girl and the crime that was committed.

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars = Okay. Maybe not a page-turner, but not sorry I read it.

[Carli Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This topic of shappelle always brings debate, I believe her to be innocent based on the facts I know of which include the court case. Interesting read.

[♥ Marlene♥]

August 14 2016
I have read nearly half of the book and I am not sure if it is the Dutch translation but sometimes this girl annoys me how she thinks the world and everything in it should all be circled around her.

I became interested when I learned about the Bali 9 and yes it is stupid to smuggle but that 2 of those 9 were executed was really tough. Felt so for their loved ones. In that book I read about this girl. She says she did not do it so I thought she was truthful but I am not so sure after I googled a bit.

The last few days not much reading going on.

This crazy woman decided to add a new member to my family and no you do not see double.
Meet Hummie






image sharing sites



But anyway she was really sweet but i could not stop worrying so hardly any sleep or read but now on day 5 I am more relaxed and she is still the little devil.


Update. Finished the book and writing this on August 16 2016

What a negative book this was. Yes I understand or try to that when you are in a foreign jail you are not happy but it appeared to me nothing was any good.
The guards were bad, the girls were nasty. Australian government sucked, the airport organization was to blame, her lawyers were the guilty ones. No the 2 guys with money were scheming against her. The prosecutors, the judges, Indonesia, The press, even the Bali 9 were blamed by her. Really everybody!!! was to blame according to her.

I have learned in my life if someone argues with everybody it mostly means it is not everybody but it is that someone who is the problem and I think that is the case here.

There were stories she told where girls helped her or guards even were nice but that was never acknowledged by her.
I began reading this book thinking she was innocent but weirdly enough after reading this book I have begun doubting her.

----------------------------------------
Dit boek is enorm negatief. Natuurlijk begip ik dat het geen fijne situatie is maar dit meisje haat iedereen en met iedereen eindigt het in ruzie dus ik denk dat dat vooral aan haar ligt. Merk dat ook in dit boek. Echt niets is goed. Niet haar advocaten, niet de regeringen van Indonesie of Australie. Ze maakt vrienden maar allen eindigen in ruzie.
Ik was overtuigd van haar onschuld mar vreemd genoeg juist door dit boek aka klaagzang ben ik gaan twijfelen.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to begin? How about by saying that I truly feel sorry for Schapelle and the miscarriage of justice that she was subjected to. It really is a shame that she wasn't entitled to the same rights that she would have been back in her native country.

Having said that the whole book was a big sob story. I was expecting juicy prison gossip and her struggle to survive on a daily basis. She whinges about everything (understandably) but at the same time she had the Australian government bankrolling a lot of her expenses and her family members making daily visits and bringing more than enough wholesome food.

Sure, her living conditions were far from great but compared to others she was a lot better off. She complains about the media being intrusive and insensitive, which they probably are too, but without them she wouldn't have gotten the Australian government on board which would have resulted in a rather bleak existence in prison.

There are also a lot of disparaging remarks aimed at a quite a few people helping her out. She later rationalizes this and then goes on to say that she had a bad feeling about them all along. Well, sweetheart, you could have done something about it from the beginning. Despite what you claim, no one was forcing you to sign anything you didn't feel comfortable with or chose people that you felt couldn't represent your best interests. The only thing you were forced to do was to be detained against your wishes.

I sincerely hope that something good will come out of this experience for Schapelle and that the Indonesian government will be shamed into making an apology and improving their facilities for everyone's sake. Snowing in Bali & Hotel K are much more interesting books than this one so unless you want to read about how unfair life is you'll probably want to avoid reading this book.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a great insight into Schapelles life in prison.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Small Talks eps on her inspired me to read the wonderful Christmas present I got a few years ago from Georgia!

Still not sure what my thoughts on all of it are but there's no doubt her treatment was so not ok (regardless of whether she's guilty or not)

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The arrest, trial and conviction of Schapelle Corby occured in the few years just proceeding my move away from Australia in 2008, but it remains one of the most talked-about legal cases that I can remember in my lifetime. For those outside of Australia, her name may be vaguely familiar, but for Australians over the age of 25 or so, it was a case that everyone had an opinion about.

For anyone not familiar with the case, Schapelle was arrested in Indonesia, after more than 4 kilograms of marjuana was discovered in her boogie board bag by customs officials. Travelling with her younger brother and two friends, she was immediately arrested and languished for several months before being taken to trial. Convicted of attempting to smuggle the drugs into Indonesia, she was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Schapelle's story is incredibly readable, both for the fact that it's so incredibly horrendous, scary, and unimaginable as it is for the realistic, no-holding back portrayal of her life in prison. With exerpts of Schapelle's diary and from various newspaper reports, no matter what anyone's opinion is of whether she is guilty or innocent, it makes for terrifying reading. Even IF she is guilty, she's more than paid for her crime - and yet has only served half of her sentence so far. My one and only criticism of the writing style is the pre-emtive chapter endings - I'm really not a fan of the whole 'It was only going to get worse'-type sentence usage.

As well as the trauma of serving a sentence in a jail with no running water, sleeping on a floor and having to rely almost solely on your family to bring you the things you need to survive from day to day because the authorities just don't provide it, there is also the media circus that Schapelle has almost constantly endured since her arrest. Until I had read Schapelle's story and seen some of the pictures included in the book, I hadn't fully appreciated how intrusive, upsetting and intense the local media presence became during the case.

So, do I think Schapelle is innocent or guilty? Well, I'm going to take the easy way out and say Schapelle is the only person that truly knows, but I do think she has received a very raw deal, even if she is guilty. I also believe that she should be allowed to serve the remainder of her prison sentence in Australia, closer to her family and with adequate sanitation and medical facilities. The details of her trial and the revelations about her legal team, the standard of investigation by the Indonesian authorities, and the way that her trial was conducted should be enough to serve as a warning to anyone - it is, pretty much, a dogs breakfast.

Enjoyed is the wrong word for this book - but it certainly opened my eyes to her case, how it was conducted and how the media can be so very brutal.

[Leanna Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.freeschapelle.com.au/

A true story not for the faint of heart. If you want to continue living in la-la land where bad things only happen to bad people and good wins over evil, you shouldn't read Schapelle's story. Guilty or innocent? Whatever your opinion is, you can't argue with the fact that her trial was in no way fair. What sealed the question for me is a blog that simply stated - Guilty people don't beg for forensic testing of the evidence. I'm sick thinking of her suffering in prison. I really feel for her I guess because I am close to her in age and our personalities seem to be very similar.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like her story is going to unfold into Mandela-esque inspiration. Schapelle has apparently lost her mind in prison. (The book was written while she still had all her faculties.) Her supporters truly fear she will be dead within a few years. As she's exhausted all legal avenues for an actual release, the hope is now that the Australian government can get Bali to turn her over to their custody where she can serve the rest of The Sentence (not her sentence) in an Austrlian prison, where she could at least get medical care.

As far as the literary quality of the book, it really does read like a diary. I found some things about the Bali legal system were not explained well enough. For example the idea that 'life' imprisonment means the age at which you were arrested. This idea - very important to one's concept of what she is facing - was only mentioned towards the end of the trial. Another example is that she states in the last chapter that she might decide to one day serve out her sentence in Austrlia. I'm still confused as to what that means. She gets a choice? Perhaps the only way this could be arranged is if she admits guilt, which is why it hasn't happened yet.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, like many Aussie's, followed Schapelle's story in the news headlines every day. None of us could seem to believe that someone would be so stupid enough to smuggle drugs into Bali (We all grow up knowing our Indonesian neighbours tight policies on drugs) ..let alone in such an obvious way. Australia's border security has always prided itself on being super tight, so this story was so interesting to the public. This book was great. It's written in an emotional no-holds-barred way, direct and detailed on Schapelle's version of events (which are very convincing) and incarseration. Some prison related stories of the goings on in the infamous Bali prison - are full on and a bit sickening but add alot of emotional depth to the story.
Recently (now in '14) there was a headline stating that Corby had told Lawrence of the Bali 9 that she had made everything up and indeed Had smuggled drugs into Bali......
Who knows with this story. I'd like to believe she is 100% innocent and an unfortunate victim of a drug smuggling ring (which does not make me happy about airport security) No-body could be so foolish as to think they are invincible against the laws of a foreign country right? No-body is so silly as to try their hand at smuggling drugs like this right? But then again, I do not trust or like Corby's family one bit. I didn't in news interviews and this book openly takes a look at her sister and parents relationships with drugs, Bali and each other. I can't believe its been over 10yrs since this case happened. Very good read. You'll need to make up your own mind about it though.

[Kassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about the news of someone being arrested and the prospect they might be innocent I was upset, but once I found out more about the case and the people involved I was devastated. I never believed for once she was guilty of her crimes and as you read through the pages you can’t help but be moved and wish you could do something. She has gone through a lot of troubles to live in a world that would be hard to imagine. Even with graphic detail described in her troubled voice you could never understand what it was and is like. I wish she didn’t have to either.

I hate to say I enjoyed this book because it upset me and made me cry on several occasions. But I feel for it and the character and real person living in the pages. I hope one day she can walk freely from that world into her own, I just wish it shall be far sooner then 20 years.

[Koko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read was simply called "My Story", though it has the same cover. So I am not sure if it is the same book so I am assuming it is. Although there are a lot of things written in this book that sound very far fetched, such as her fellow prisoner whose 'insides fell out' due to having performed her 'own' abortions 20+ times by massaging her stomach, these are the things that made the book a very entertaining read and hard to put down. It was almost like reading a fictional story as the details were that interesting. Then again Kathryn Bonella is a very good writer. The book did not help me decide whether she is innocent or not because a lot of things sounded made up.

[Jazz Cooling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I was browsing through the library and picked it out.

This novel completes the category on the bingo board 'A diary, biography or autobiography.' Being an autobiography, it gave me an immensely personal perspective on what Schapelle Corby endured. It enables the reader to feel her pain, and understand her suffering. It allows people to hear her side of the story and listen to what she has to say. She sets the record straight about all the lies and ridiculous stories the media has told. This book really ignites something in the reader, an anger and sadness at the injustice at which Schapelle has received. This novel leaves no doubt in my mind that she is innocent.

My favorite quote:
'I'm not just a girl; I am Schapelle. I am a human being, with a lot of love inside me and passion for life and living. But now I'm Schapelle the girl locked up for between fifteen and eighteen hours each day, helplessly relying on everyone and challenging my emotions each day, by the hour, a terrified child, without a voice, without a mouth. Help me, if you can, help me to understand; I will not disconnect and I will not self-destruct. I am precious and the love for my family is precious."
This quote portrays how Schapelle is a fighter, how no matter what happens, she will not give up. She will stay strong and have hope, and not stoop to drugs and alcohol, like many of the other prisoners. It really shows how she is such a strong and brave woman.

From this novel I learned how rapidly people can change and adapt to the situations they are put it. In the book, Schapelle mentions how if two months before, she was told she would be living in prison in the filthy and disgusting living conditions she has now, she would have thought there was no way she could have survived. But now she is living exactly like that, and she is coping, trying to make the best out of the worst. Practically overnight she went from a happy, fun-loving girl on holiday into a much stronger, tougher woman.

Mercedes, Schapelle's sister is the person I admire most. She sacrificed so much for her younger sister, it is almost as if Mercedes is doing the sentence right alongside her. She visits daily, taking Schapelle everything she needs. Mercedes has given up so much of her own life to support her sister. She is the one who fought so hard for Schapelle, did everything in her power to help and protect her.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a controversial book, which sparked conversation (even amongst strangers) wherever I went with it. It would seem that Schapelle Corby is the modern day Lindy Chamberlain, and her guilt/innocence will be discussed long into the future.

I was warned that this book was quite graphic, and very depressing, but I thought that if Schapelle can live it, I can read it. I'm glad I did. It was refreshing to hear her point of view, and not the media version wihch has hindered her situation beyond belief.

Believing that Schapelle is innocent, makes this a very difficult book to read, but I encourage you to put aside any pre-conceptions, and hear her story. Remember: being beautiful and belonging to a family with questionable connections, does not make you guilty. Being in the middle of a media frenzy does not make you guilty.

Read it, and then decide.

Even if you believe she's guilty, surely you agree that no Australian deserves to spend 20 years in that filthy hell hole.

Bring her home.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of integrity, family love, injustice and a corrupt legal system. This book backed up everything I thought all along about this poor woman and her fight for injustice, My heart goes out to herself and her family, I could not possible imagine what she is going through daily in there. I hope that one day her fire will burn bright again and she lives a normal happy life back in her own country where she belongs!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the Shapelle Corby case. I admit I was a fence sitter before but now I am convinced Shapelle was a victim of airport (Sydney) crime. If the Bali Custom Officers had done their job properly and she had been given a fair trial I truly believe Shapelle would be a free woman today. This book is also a fascinating (and very shocking) insight into life at 'Hotel K'. Loved the cartoon at the end - it sums up the Bali judicial system to a T!

[Miki]

I can't believe she is still in jail because I don't think she did it. There must be a lot of people who are in jails for false charges in the world. I wanted to go to Bali one day but from reading this book I'm not sure if I still want to go there. I'll have to make sure my bags are locked every time when I get on the airplane from now on.

[Gothmummi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of shapelle before I read this so had no idea that she would remain imprisoned in the end! I'm convinced of her innocence and shocked at the handling of the case, even if she had of been guilty!
not for the faint hearted. I wish her much luck for the future, whatever that may be

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A controversial autobiography, written by a controversial woman. It's difficult to know what the truth is in the Schapelle Corby case when there are so many possibilities, though Corby's depiction of life inside an Indonesian prison is quite interesting.

[Michelle Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the book you hate to love reading. It's heartbreaking, honest and most of all terrifying. This girl is literally living in a waking nightmare. Definitely a must read.

[Cazlam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guilty as sin.

[Honni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting over xmas. Sad story about a young Aussie girl who gets "framed" for bring in 4 kilos of pot into Bali. Reads like you are reading a diary of her life before, during and current.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. This is a real eye-opener. Always lock your luggage. I feel so bad for Schapelle and hope that someone will be able to help her.

[Reneetonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting although she lies through her teeth!!

[Michelle Fogarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting reading, so sad & thought provoking.

[Genie Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I couldn't put this book down. It was fascinating finally reading the story from the cats mouth rather than the media.
I believe she is innocent now.

[Zakgirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really hard to review without giving your personal opinion which I didn't really want to share however not giving my opinion would mean my review would seem harsh. I chanced upon this book for $1 donation to raise money for Cancer research and I must say it is a book that I would not have purchased at full price. I do not know if Corby is guilty of the crime or not and I don't like to support criminal activity in any way especially financing someones book which would make money for them from their criminal activities (if she were guilty, that is). Originally when this case broke I, like so many others, judged Schapelle Corby, on her looks and I shamefully admit that I thought she looked like a drug user. It is not a good practice to judge a book by its cover or a person for that matter and I try not to do this but in honesty, I did this time. The more the media presented Corby's case the more I wondered was she guilty of the crime or not? Does the punishment fit the crime was another question. This book was a tough read because in the depth of detail to show Corby's emotional state and her sense of helplessness it tends to repeat itself and take a long time saying the same things over and over but I realize this was necessary for the book to show how she was thinking throughout her time in the prison. In other ways there is not enough detail for example eating, cooking and drinking is mentioned but other than the use of a stir fryer I am given no clue as to what she ate and yet the water drunk is explained in great detail several times. In the end I still do not know whether she is innocent or guilty. At the start of the book I began to believe she was innocent but as the book progressed and she explained several situations I began to again believe she was guilty. Now that I have finished the book I really don't know what to think. I want to believe she is telling the truth and that she is a nice person who was put in a very bad situation and I really want to believe she is innocent. As for the Author I believe she did the best with what she had and it must have been a tough story to write. Only reading more of her work would ascertain whether she truly did a good job of this book or not. So no opinion from me on the Author really. Tough book to review, easy reading but rather boring in parts.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a real life story that is tragic, at times unbelievable and one with an incredible display of strength throughout. Schapelle Corby went through some of the most challenging, frustrating and upsetting things I have ever read about, when she found herself in the worst prison in Bali after authorities found 4.2kg of weed in her boogie board case.

Now, before you jump to conclusions, I highly recommend reading the book because taking the above information for face value, you’re probably wondering why I have so much empathy for Schapelle but the truth is… I do not believe that she had anything to do with the substance being in her bag. There are so many displays of corruption in this story. Schapelle’s case was used as a message to the world at the time but the problem was, they were making a show out of the wrong person because if they went down the rabbit hole of what really happened, it would’ve made several places look bad and if you read the book, you’ll understand exactly what I mean and why they “couldn’t let that happen.”

Schapelle and her family went through hell and back during this time. The media made it ten times worse too. I know that we all know how the media twist things but some of the lies that they reported during this time 100% affected Schapelle case. They treated her like a zoo animal for years, completely exploiting her over and over during the worst time of her life. I was appalled by the stuff I read about the press in this book.

By the end of the book, I was truly in shock. Not only do I feel so much empathy for Schapelle and her family but I also feel so much admiration for them and their strength to be able to get through such an unbelievably difficult time. If you ever take a recommendation from me, let it be this one!

[Ashleigh Hoare · Rating 2 out of 5]

•written by Shapelle Corby and covers her life a few years before her arrest and her first few years in prison (the book ends in 2006)
• I've never really felt the need to come to a strong conclusion regarding my thoughts on her guilt or innocence - she talks a lot about her nativity using examples like how she got married in Japan without knowing it (really Queen?)
• regardless of her innocence or guilt, she didn't get a fair trial - the Indonesian justice system is incredibly corrupt, the media and the justice system treated her and her family like animals, and the Australian government failed her
• interestingly drug trafficking/dealing/poasession get far harsher sentences than murder with murder carrying 4-5 year tariffs compared to Schapelle's sentence of 20 years for 4-ish kilos of Marijuana
• this book discusses the horrors of Indonesian prisons - the violence, the unsanitary conditions, the disease, the drug use, the corruption, and the book ends with Schapelle's mental health in tatters

To be honest, I don't think this book was well written. Interesting subject matter though - struggled to get through this one and enjoyed Warren Fellows' account of his time in a Thai prison more than this one.