The Funhouse Mirror: Reflections on Prison

by Robert Ellis Gordon, Inmates of the Washington Corrections System, Michael Collins

Gordon's account of teaching writing in Washington prisons is aided by essays and stories contributed by the prisoners themselves. Together, Gordon and his students provide revealing glimpses of this vast, secret-laden subculture of incarcerated individuals, which nationwide comprises more than two million U.S. citizens.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

132 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ensiform · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author taught creative writing in prisons for eight years; in this book, he showcases a few inmates’ stories and his own reflections on prison life. Reading the inmates’ stories (especially TJ Granack’s, whose “Welcome To the Steel Hotel: Survival Tips For Beginners” is a wry, succinct capsule of prison’s unwritten rules), I can only shake my head the stupid, shortsighted policy that cuts educational funding in prison, turning kids with bad lives who’ve made bad choices into ignorant monsters, a policy that harms law-abiding people in the long run. Gordon himself is not exactly the greatest writer alive (his wordy, digressive, conversational style is sometimes grating), but he makes good points, and kudos to him for giving these cons voices.

[Patrick O'Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn here. I really liked and connected with the student/convict's writing: TJ Granack's "Welcome to the Steel Hotel: Survival Tips for Beginners," and Michael Collins' "Seventeen Fistfights Later" – are gritty and real and nothing short of brilliant. But I didn't connect with Robert Ellis Gordon's writing, which unfortunately for me, was the majority of the book. Yet the The Funhouse Mirror: Reflections on Prison wouldn't even exist if it hadn't been for Gordon. He taught the writing classes in prison where the convict essays originated – and compiled, edited, and basically made this book. I have mass respect for Gordon – bringing anything positive into prison is much needed and unbelievably constructive for those who are incarcerated. It's just that I had hoped the book would have been more of their writing.

[BowbytheBay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty grim. It is composed of vignettes of prison life from the point of view of prisoners and from the main author who is an instructor of creative writing classes for maximum security prisoners. Really brings the humanity out of people who have done terrible things, but there is more to them than those acts. Also, when one hears the brutality they experienced beforehand it is not surprising how they turned out and that they did the same things to others. Also, the brutality of prisons is just awful. Highly recommend!

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, but I can't help but think that Ellis tends to put himself too much into the book. A lot of the best pieces are the inmates' stories or even when Ellis describes the behavior of his students, as well as the typical prison condition (physical and mental) he faces.

But he also wastes a lot of time. His own short story "Going Native" is kind of a bore and is also the longest piece in the book. But besides that, it is a fairly quick read about an interesting subject.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/2 of the book is a sweet anthology of writings by prisoners on prison culture. the other half is by the self righteous author. blech.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searing, horrifying, raw, and at unexpected moments, human and dignified. Readers are forced to take a hard look at a world we'd rather not acknowledge.