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95 reviews for:
Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System
Cyntoia Brown-Long
4.25 AVERAGE
95 reviews for:
Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System
Cyntoia Brown-Long
4.25 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I knew this would be a hell of a story, but I didn't expect the ferocious intelligence behind the telling. It made me realise that thete are manu, many other children convicted in relation to their own trafficking and abuse who don't have the family support, the legal team and the high IQ that contributed to Brown's campaign.
The book's focus is on Brown's experiences, and the night she shot the man who picked her up for sex is not discussed in detail. Brown is clear, however, in acknowledging that she as a teenager she made some pretty awful decisions. The issue is the context around those choices - trauma, trafficking, drugs - often without her consent - and fetal alcohol syndrome for starters. It is a little heartbreaking that it took a decade from her conviction for her to realise that she, as an imprisoned and sexually assualted teenager, was a trafficking victim not "just a whore" who deserved it. And this took so long because a system that claims to protect children reinforces this view. There are still, she points out, more young teenagers charged as a result of sex work than there are trafficking prosecutions, even though most US laws are supposed to ensure the opposite.
But there are many great parts of this story too - people in broken systems who try to make it better. It should be easier for them.
The book's focus is on Brown's experiences, and the night she shot the man who picked her up for sex is not discussed in detail. Brown is clear, however, in acknowledging that she as a teenager she made some pretty awful decisions. The issue is the context around those choices - trauma, trafficking, drugs - often without her consent - and fetal alcohol syndrome for starters. It is a little heartbreaking that it took a decade from her conviction for her to realise that she, as an imprisoned and sexually assualted teenager, was a trafficking victim not "just a whore" who deserved it. And this took so long because a system that claims to protect children reinforces this view. There are still, she points out, more young teenagers charged as a result of sex work than there are trafficking prosecutions, even though most US laws are supposed to ensure the opposite.
But there are many great parts of this story too - people in broken systems who try to make it better. It should be easier for them.
brown’s straightforward writing style made this a very compelling read. glad i picked this up, since it goes into much more detail about cyntoia’s history than the surface-level netflix documentaries.
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
A powerful story. I was assigned to read a few chapters of this book for a class and I couldn’t put it down. This showcases so many different societal themes and focuses on the significance of criminal justice. A story many more should read.
words can’t describe how amazing this book is. everyone deserves to read this book
Emotional. Sometimes difficult to read because the things Cyntoia faced were awful but you finish this book with a sense of hope. Cyntoia is a survivor and an inspiration and she is the only one who can tell her story.
Cyntoia's memoir is such an important story to have told. Honest, raw, hopeful.
This was wonderful as an audiobook, with Brown herself as the narrator.
CW for a journey of Christian faith
CW for a journey of Christian faith
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Trafficking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Murder
A fascinating inside look at just how broken our criminal justice system is and an incredible story of this woman’s strength.