Reviews

This Is Not My Life: A Memoir of Love, Prison, and Other Complications by Diane Schoemperlen

laurenbdavis's review

5.0

I was asked to blurb this book and am delighted to do so: "With scalding candor, bravery, and a considerable amount of humor, Diane Schoemperlen has written a moving memoir about unexpected love. She reminds us what love is, and how even it if can’t always have a fairy tale ending, it nonetheless offers redemption.”

mynameiskate's review

4.0

Tough book. I love Schoemperlen .. her "Lady of the Lost and Found" is one of my absolute favourite books. Was super-excited to read this memoir. It is beautifully written. I found it difficult to read, but it is always difficult for me to read about unhealthy relationships.

I admire and am a bit in awe of how brutally honest Schoemperlen is about her relationship with Shane - and how she can write so clearly about the problematic issues in the relationship, but still make me feel, with absolute clarity, all the positive reasons she got into the relationship.

Also, the look into the Canadian prison system is fascinating. If you are a fan of Schoemperlen, definitely read - her clear, evocative writing style shines through.

bitterindigo's review

3.0

I've always been fascinated by the phenomenon of women falling in love with prisoners. This isn't one of the really baffling cases - where women claim to be in love with serial killers who they've only ever exchanged letters with - and actually when Schoemperlen describes her childhood and role models it's not all that surprising that she ends up in this relationship. Her assessment of it is fairly clear-eyed, although presumably it wasn't at the time, and the details about the Canadian criminal justice system and the Harper government were also illuminating. Engaging read.

ddemille29's review

4.0

Prisons fascinate me and I think this particular memoir fascinated me even more because the majority of the story she is telling takes place in Kingston during the time I was attending Queen's. I love being able to place names and locations. This was also an interesting insight into someone loving someone in prison and a good portrayal of the issues in the correctional system.