Prison Noir

Starred review from July 7, 2014
For Akashic’s celebrated noir series, Oates, a veteran instructor in prison writing programs, has assembled a remarkable anthology of stories written by inmates of correctional institutions across America. Standouts include Christopher M. Stephen’s “Shuffle,” in which a tormented older convict must confront an enigmatic new cellmate, and Linda Michelle Marquardt’s deeply unsettling “Milk and Tea,” about a survivor of horrific domestic violence who finally snapped and killed her sadistic husband. In Stephen Geez’s heartbreaking “Tune-Up,” violence cuts short the collaboration of a group of incarcerated musicians. Andre White’s “Angel Eyes” is a tour de force about a compassionate elderly convict who witnesses the dehumanization of a young inmate. The 15 selections display a wide variety of literary styles and approaches, but, as Oates suggests in her introduction, they beckon the reader to identify with the perpetrators. Most importantly, this landmark volume amplifies the voices of the incarcerated.

Starred review from August 1, 2014

This tremendous collection makes "civilian" crime fiction writers (like myself) seem anemic in comparison. These are stories that resonate with authenticity and verve and pain and truth. Any collection edited by the National Book Award-winning author Oates (them; Blonde, Rape: A Love Story) deserves attention, but the contributors are deft and confident, and great writers without her imprimatur. Many of the authors served or are serving long sentences for murder, bank robbery, assault, etc. William Van Poyck ("The Investigation") was executed in 2013. Andre White's stunning "Angel Eyes" proves that the pen is mightier than the sword in more ways than one. Jail suicide and pitiless partner abuse are the focus of the fine "Milk and Tea" by Linda Michelle Marquardt. The great writing in "Rat's Ass" by Kenneth R. Brydon makes the reader squirm. Marco Verdoni's "Immigrant Song" is moving and lyrical, and Ali F. Sareni's powerful "A Message in the Breadth of Allah " stuck with this reader long afterwards. I liked every story. VERDICT Kudos to Johnny Temple and the Akashic team for another milestone in the Noir series (83 and counting). There is need for Prison Noir II. Authentic, powerful, visceral, moving, great writing.--Seamus Scanlon, Ctr. for Worker Education, CUNY

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