“A remarkable story of a young man’s loss of everything he deemed important, and his ultimate discovery that redemption can be taught by society’s most dreaded outcasts.” —John Grisham “Hilarious, astonishing, and deeply moving.” —John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil The emotional, incredible true story of Neil White, a man who discovers the secret to happiness, leading … secret to happiness, leading a fulfilling life, and the importance of fatherhood in the most unlikely of places—the last leper colony in the continental United States. In the words of Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler (A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain), White is “a splendid writer,” and In the Sanctuary of Outcasts “a book that will endure.”
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If you’ve ever wondered about prison-life, or having leprosy, this book does a decent job of putting perspective on both. This is the story of ex-con, Neil White, and his experience during incarceration at Carville prison, a minimum-security facility which doubled (at that time) as a colony for people with leprosy (aka Hansen’s Disease). The book is written with a pretty humorous approach in most cases, but there are some serious, and sometimes sad, experiences that are shared as well which keep it real. The “patients”, and the convicts, both have their share of “unique” individuals whose antics will keep you interested. Lots of historical detail woven throughout with respect to the facility, and the disease itself – cleverly presented through the personal stories of the patients. Overall, the book was very interesting, and as far as personal interest stories, this one was a winner. Easy to read, and very original, and he took the time to provide updates on all the main characters so you have a good amount of closure. Nicely done.
If you had to think up a story, you’d never come up with one like this: in 1993, an ambitious young man had to go to prison for a white collar crime: he didn’t whine , determined to make the best of it, deeply ashamed of himself and determined to keep his marriage and 2 kids together despite being in jail, Author Neil White is shocked from day one when he finds himself in a combination leper colony and prison in Louisiana . Despite his revulsion at being around lepers and feeling somewhat superior to all the other prisoners, he gradually evolves. Sound predictable? It isn’t; the prisoners are a motley crew; some, like Nick, are absolutely hilarious as they react to White, who has earned the nerdy name Clark Kent. White develops deep relationships with prisoners and patients alike; at the end, he tells us, 25 years later, the ends of the stories of many of those he was incarcerated with. It is a touching, witty, funny read; I’ll not spoil the ending: it’s not predictable and worth reading to find out.
Such a moving, true account of a white collar criminal imprisoned in an institution that also houses lepers. Very eye-opening and compassionate. I’ve read it twice and will likely read it again!
Interesting true story about the choices we make to succeed. The main character is sent to serve out his prison sentence at the Louisiana home for lepers. What he sees and learns there changes his life in ways he could never have imagined.
An inspiring book on many levels, entertaining and funny while also tragic and difficult. Ultimately inspiring.
Beautiful and informative history of Hansen’s Disease far unknown to me but I left so inspired and full of new wisdom.
I couldn’t put it down. It was sad, but inspiring. It is shameful that as a society we treat others as if they don’t count. But those with Hansen’s disease taught the writer a whole new way of living life, especially Ella.
I was hoping for a little more about the sanctuary and the patients rather than the author.
makes you look at people with leprosy another …..very human
A wonderful life lesson for anyone.
Informative and enlightening! The author shares his personal views and how his perceptions were changes by his experience. A true story that is heart-warming.
Interesting read, I recommended this book to my book clubs.This story really was a surprise to me. I thought leprosy was no longer an issue in our society. I truly felt sorry for some of the characters but was so happy the author redeemed himself and became a responsible member of society.
I absolutely loved this book. I had no idea this facility was there and I felt so much inspiration after hearing the stories of those residents. I knew Hansen’s disease was still something that remained present in our society but I never knew to what extent.
Well written, humorous and insightful. Based on a topic you don’t often get the opportunity to read about. I loved the honesty of the author and this book gave some faith that incarceration may sometimes have a positive outcome.
Very well written. Inspirational and I learned some things I never knew.
Great story about redemption, colorful characters, easy to read
It was one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
People can change. So much he had to go through to change though. Such a great book!
A great non-fiction book that was as engrossing as a novel. I loved his development of his change from his first day in prison to his last. Excellent read. I highly recommend the book.
shows how a man can change his life