“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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Superb story about a young man learning the true value of life in the most unexpected place from the most unimaginable people.
I found the honesty of Neil White’s portrayal of his evolution (or perhaps metamorphosis is a better word) during his incarceration at the Federal Medical Center in Carville, Louisiana painful at times. So vivid were his descriptions of the arrogant young man with a sense of entitlement big enough to choke a horse who entered the facility, I would have abandoned the book multiple times had the writing not been so compelling. At that point, I didn’t like him and didn’t care what happened to him. Had he not seemed to genuinely care about his kids, I wouldn’t have cared if he rotted in jail. And yet I kept reading…
Not about him, but about the facility he and other prisoners shared with patients branded as untouchable lepers for life by the superstitious and ignorant to the point that they didn’t want to leave even when they could. The juxtaposition of their stories and those of the prisoners who were every bit as deformed in their own way ultimately enabled White to see himself as he was. But because this was real life, there were no sudden transformations, no burning bushes, or magical conversions from jerk to great guy. The biggest changes were triggered by small events triggered by people he never would have noticed in his previous life. Events so small that their effect on him often came as a surprise. Yet none of these ever struck me as a literary device or contrived. Maybe he was that good a writer that he fooled me. But if he did, I don’t want to know. I wish him well.
I really liked this book, Neil s memoir about his life and imprisonment and the leper colony, knowledge I did not ever think about.
Well written, informative and interesting. interesting to see how someone can put a positive spin on what others might see as a setback.
If the author doesn’t shock you once or twice you must be dead! If you can get past the crude language you’ll find some treasure to be had .
Really enjoyed this book, not a typical white collar criminal goes to prison story. The backdrop of Carville was fascinating and made for an interesting, informative read. I was drawn into the protagonist’s situation and wanted to find out what happened to him.
Fantastic book. I had heard of the leper colony previously, but not about its also being a prison. The whole book was tremendous. The author had the courage and insight to realize the harm his crimes had done and learned to see the grace in the innocent people confined on the medical side of the complex. This book is well worth reading.
It put a new twist on white collar crime and “doing time” and I learned a lot about leprosy and was interested in how everybody turned out… good story
When Neil White was sentenced for a white collar crime, he never expected to be imprisoned in a Louisiana facility for lepers. This is a surprisingly poignant account of his stay among society’s outcasts. Though the book was published in 1993, its message of tolerance is relevant and timeless.
The author is a pompous a$$ and you end up not really rooting for him but his experience is very interesting.
Learned a lot about a little understood disease.
Great read. I feel the author was honest about his guilt and his reformation. He was a very compelling storyteller.
Very thought provoking memoir. Inspirational in many ways
an interesting story, for sure.
Interesting look into the (current-day) leper c olony/prison.
I must admit there are not too many books about leprosy. I learned a lot about the disease as well as life in a minimum security prison. Also I understood more clearly what would make a person risk their reputation, marriage, and family relationships to commit a crime.
I’m not sure why, but Sanctuary of Outcasts engaged me in a way too few books do and I’ve continued to think about it weeks after finishing it. A true story, interesting locale, intriguing people, personal redemption and growth? Yes to all!
Although the main character is sometimes shallow the general cast of characters is interesting and the leprosy story is unforgettable.
Excellent
What happens when a self-absorbed felon is incarcerated in a prison that is also a leprosarium .Funny but also moving.