The first novel that comes to my mind is Papillon by Henri Charriere (it was turned into a movie starring Steve McQueen in ’73) . It is the true story of a man who escaped the French Guiana penal colony…
You will find the the story on which the Shawshank Redemption movie is based in a Stephen King’s book named Different Seasons. The novela name is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.
Have just finished a lovely book called Boy Swallows Universe. I loved it but I wonder whether anyone who isnt accustomed to places in Brisbane Australia, in particular Boggo Road Gaol , would find it as captivating as I did
@Rebecca . Its quite different and i ponder its relevance to anyone not used to our place names. But a lovely yet harrowing story of young boys with drug addled parents
@Rebecca I wondered after 100 pages if this was really my read. But I fell in love with the characters and after that it all fell into place. Love to know what you think after you read it.
By the way. Its interesting people are recommending Papillon. One of my favourite books. In Boy Swallows Universe there is one real life character and his favourite book was ………..you guessed it Papillon
The Damage Done by Warren Fellows and Marching Powder by Rusty Young….both incredible! I read The Damage Done in a matter of hours! Both are true stories about life in South American prisons and the cocaine industry.
Do not pick up a book without looking into these two: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. It begins with a prison break and there is fair amount of prison life into the book. And Papillon by Henri Charriere.
Rita Hayworth and Shawnshank Redemption. The short story by Stephen King behind the movie The Shawnshank Redemption. Found in his book Different Seasons. You’ll love it.
Papillon by Henri Cherriere
The first novel that comes to my mind is Papillon by Henri Charriere (it was turned into a movie starring Steve McQueen in ’73) . It is the true story of a man who escaped the French Guiana penal colony…
You will find the the story on which the Shawshank Redemption movie is based in a Stephen King’s book named Different Seasons. The novela name is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.
I loved that novela. SO good!! Still one of my faves that I have re-read because I enjoyed it so much.
@Cindy Yeah. it’s really good. Red is an awesome character.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexendar Dumas. One of the best prison break and revenge story.
An absolute must-read!
Hard Rain Falling – Don Carpenter. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The green mile Stephen king, more death row than prison per se, but still great!!
But yes Rita Hayworth and Shawshank redemption more what you were asking for!! Some others here look interesting!!
Martina Cole books x
I’ve heard she’s good but never read, worth a go?
The New Jim Crow, Just Mercy: A Tale of Justice and Redemption, The Sun Does Shine, The Count of Monte Cristo.
Have just finished a lovely book called Boy Swallows Universe. I loved it but I wonder whether anyone who isnt accustomed to places in Brisbane Australia, in particular Boggo Road Gaol , would find it as captivating as I did
Grahame I must look it up, boggo road goal sounds so cool!!
@Rebecca . Its quite different and i ponder its relevance to anyone not used to our place names. But a lovely yet harrowing story of young boys with drug addled parents
@Grahame I’m from WA so names don’t confront me, ha ha!! Thanks for pics, will deffo have to get a copy. Thanks also for the idea!!
@Rebecca the author is on Q and A tonight at 9.35 Qld time so check your guide petal
@Grahame ooh!! Will do, thanks muchly darling!!
@Rebecca I wondered after 100 pages if this was really my read. But I fell in love with the characters and after that it all fell into place. Love to know what you think after you read it.
@Grahame its great when it clicks into place!! Written well then if you enjoyed the characters, will let you know when I find it!!
By the way. Its interesting people are recommending Papillon. One of my favourite books. In Boy Swallows Universe there is one real life character and his favourite book was ………..you guessed it Papillon
@Grahame wow!! I am learning a lot today, fantabulous!!
Thank you for all the info @Grahame, appreciate it!!
The Damage Done by Warren Fellows and Marching Powder by Rusty Young….both incredible! I read The Damage Done in a matter of hours! Both are true stories about life in South American prisons and the cocaine industry.
I’m currently reading Alcatraz A Definitive History of the Penitentiary.
If tomorrow comes_ Sidney Sheldon
The Birdman of Alcatraz
jeffery archer – prison diary’s
Papillon by Henri Charrière.
Just Mercy
Second this
I think the full title is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King.
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzenitsyn.
Not escape but gritty& wonderful in detail
Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean, orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman.
Will be out soon!
#AutoBiography
Orange Is The New Black
Papillon.
Good call.!
Readin’ Papillon!!!
Shawshank Redemption
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner.
Orange is the New Black…great read, nothing like the Netflix series.
My husband loved “The Black Hand.” by Chris Blatchford
Shakespeare Saved my Life by Laura Bates, about teaching Shakespeare in a supermax prison.
Alcatraz #1259
The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz. True tale of an escape from a Siberian prison during WWII.
Truly an amazing read.
Shawshank Redemption
Shon Hopwood, true story called Law Man:
Memoir of a Jailhouse Lawyer
I just finished “Sing, Unburied, Sing” by Jesmyn Ward and this certainly fills the bill!
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Hinton
I loved that book so much!
Marching Powder by Rusty Young. Astonishing book, highly recommended.
https://g.co/kgs/YLC5ab
Do not pick up a book without looking into these two: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. It begins with a prison break and there is fair amount of prison life into the book. And Papillon by Henri Charriere.
I just saw a hard copy of Papillon priced at $90.
It has become so expensive because of the movie coming out.
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner. It’s very different and focuses on a woman who is sent to jail in California for life.
Orange is the new black
Papillon – Henri Charriere brilliant as a movie too
Ooh!! Is it good?
@Rebecca yes, it is really good.
@Kimberly will look out for it, cheers!!
Rita Hayworth and Shawnshank Redemption. The short story by Stephen King behind the movie The Shawnshank Redemption. Found in his book Different Seasons. You’ll love it.
Orange is the new black
House of the Dead imo
Shawshank Redemption
Education of a Felon by Edward Bunker
Any one of Charlie Bronsons bio books are brilliant
Shawshank Redemption
Count of Monrecristo
The Sun Does Shine:How I found life and freedom on death row by Anthony Ray Hinton … Excellent!!!
Maximum Insecurity is funny and accurate.
You In, The Big House?!! LOL!!!
The Last Rampage by James W. Clarke
Orange is the New Black.
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
this article might interest you. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/books/review/sing-sing-prison-library-critic.html
Papillion