It’s hard to believe that this story is true! This memoir telling Anthony Ray Hinton’s story is a shocking true story of injustice. In Alabama the mid-1980s he was found guilty of multiple murders and a jury sentenced him to life in prison. The judge changed his sentence to death. I had no idea that judges could do that! What’s even worse is that Anthony Ray Hinton was 1000% innocent and evidence even showed that. Even more of a travesty was that he spent almost 30 years of his life on Death Row!

Yes, Hinton did have a little bit of a criminal past, but nothing even close to murder! The state of Alabama even knew that he was innocent but still wanted to execute him. It did not matter that the real killer was out there. The evidence even showed he was innocent: He was at work on the night of one particular murder and he worked 20 minutes away from where the crime happened! His mother’s gun had not been shot in 25 years, and he even passed a polygraph which unfortunately not admissible in court. Mr. Hinton was a young black man in Alabama. And he did not have money. Most people on death row are poor. Yes, most are guilty, but the injustice that Mr. Hinton suffered over the 30 years just leaves a poor taste in your mouth in regards to our justice system.

We do get to see what life on Death Row was like for Hinton and the others. He tells us everything. He spent his first three years silent. Over time he saw many men executed and he tells the readers what the inmates did when another was in the process of being executed. Over the course of his thirty years the death penalty changed from electrocution to lethal injection. At one point in his time inside the inmates were to form a book club and talked books! That brought joy to this book lover’s heart. They were able to pass books around to each other and talk books.

Over time we see the losses that Mr. Hinton deals with, and what could bring anger, hatred, and more to an innocent person spending all that time inside. The reader gets to experience Mr. Hinton’s mental ‘escapes’ and meeting the queen of England and ‘marrying’ several famous actresses. I hope he was actually able to meet at least one of these women in real life! I listened to the audiobook version and once he was finally released on April 3, 2015, I raised my hand in victory! The travesty of the injustice he experienced just angered this listener. The narrator was Kevin R Free and he brought the perfect voice to Hinton in narrating this tragic real-life story. Hinton’s life story is one everyone must read or listen to. I would love to hear him tell his story in person one day.

Here are some quotes from the memoir:

“He was a poor man in a criminal justice system that treats you better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent.”

“My mama always told me that you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

“No one can understand what freedom means until they don’t have it.”

Hinton’s story just makes you think about the innocent ones on death row who have been executed and who are currently there now. Our justice system really needs to be looked at. For me it is far worse for someone innocent to be imprisoned than a guilty person walking free. What happens if someone is found innocent and they spend all that time in prison.

This is a memoir that stays with you and leaves you thinking.

Loved reading about Ray Hinton’s story. It was very well written. He got into his deepest emotions when imprisoned AND on death row for a crime that he didn’t commit. He described very well what all he went through…the many court decisions that went against him, hearing people die on death row, being separated from his beloved mother. It would make just about anybody break but he showed such great strength and faith. I loved how he fantasized about traveling all over the world and being married to Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock. I also loved seeing the close friendship between him and Lester, and also with his lawyer, Bryan Stevenson (I have Just Mercy on my to-be-read list). He kept his faith in God and faith that he would be found innocent. He reached out to his fellow prisoners on the row and even had a book club.

What a great book on strength and perseverance.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the book, given to me for free in exchange for a review.

Is inspiring a cliche word for this kind of book? Sure, but this book is genuinely inspiring. Hinton has done a lot of work on himself and this is the result, a kind of shining testament to resilience and hope. Definitely an uplifting read for those already in the world of prison reform (which can be dim) and definitely the kind of book that can change minds.

I can't compliment this book on beautiful prose or a groundbreaking way of telling a story, but I can harp on the strength of the author’s story. This book manages to be both unbearably sad and impossibly hopeful. The story is a strong case against and a gracious invitation to reconsider many tightly-held opinions about the death penalty and the too often forgotten or ignored missteps of the criminal justice system.

I also have to mention that I cried.

In 1985, Anthony Ray Hinton was sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. He spent 30 years on death row in Alabama, mere feet away from the room where people were executed. His case is eye opening: racism is alive and well, poverty gives people an unfair trial, the justice system is clearly corrupt when a man with an alibi is put in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and “experts” don’t do their jobs or lie about their findings. The amazing thing is that Ray had every reason to be bitter, angry, and afraid, but he instead chose to forgive, to have faith, and stay positive.

I still haven’t read Just Mercy (but I want to), so my thoughts and feelings may be similar to those who have read that book. It was infuriating to read this book. Knowing how poorly his case was handled, how the cops fully admitted to him that they knew he probably wasn’t guilty but an all-white jury and white judge in the Deep South wouldn’t care, how the man had an essentially ironclad alibi AND WAS STILL SENT TO JAIL, how the jury sentenced him to life without parole but the judge was able to say, “Nah, let’s put him to death instead.” The injustice is terrible, and we definitely need some major reform in this country. As he points out in the book, if one out of every 10 planes crashed, we would stop flying in planes until we fixed the problem, and yet statistically one out of every 10 people on death row is innocent, and nothing is done about it. Unbelievable.

Ray Hinton is so inspirational. He had some dark moments, but overall, he chose to be positive and grateful and hopeful. With his vivid imagination, he was able to live a full life and travel the world, and some of his stories are hilarious. Even though I still need to read Just Mercy, I still wanted to cheer when Bryan Stevenson took over as his attorney after 15 years. And also Ray’s best friend Lester who visited him every week for 30 years is a hero. There is some language in this book, and obviously much of the subject matter is hard to read. Occasionally, the writing got a bit ramble-y or repetitive, but overall it was a great read and hard to put down. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

What an inspiring book! The circumstances of his situation make me so angry and feel so helpless, but this man's determination and work to right the wrongs that were done show that truth will come out in the end. Such an inspiring and happy ending for this story!

Hinton was convicted for a crime he did not commit, despite having a solid alibi. As a result, he spent 30 years on death row despite evidence that supported his claims of innocence.

Despite the long and drawn out appeals, and despite the injustices done to him, Hinton manages to maintain a positive attitude and offers only forgiveness for those who wronged him.

The book tells a message of strong condemnation towards the death penalty, and forces the reader to really confront the issues within our own justice system. Hinton came out on the other side and was able to begin his life again, but there are many who have been wrongly convicted and/or executed who will never be given another chance.

This is a good read for anyone who cares to read from an inside perspective of the failures of our current legal systems.

I cannot say enough about this book other than READ IT!!! You will not be disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

One of the best books that I read this year, definitely in my top 10 of 2020. It is the eye-opening memoir of Anthony Ray Hinton, who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in Alabama and spent almost 30 years on Death Row, until his conviction was finally overthrown. Alabama, even in the 80s was not the same place for innocent poor blacks as for guilty, rich whites.

This book is one of the best books I've ever read in terms of its impact on my life. This powerful book altered the way I, as a criminal justice student a decade ago, view race and the criminal justice system in the United States. Many specifics from this book stand out in mind two years after reading it, and it broke my faith in our country's justice system. Anthony Ray Hinton is inspiring in his ability to be positive in light of what he went through. I also particularly appreciated the ending of the book listing all the people on death row by name. This is a powerful section that truly challenges the reader to recognize the humanity of each individual on death row. This book set me over the last hurdle to becoming anti-death penalty. I recommend this book to people ALL THE TIME.

Heart wrenching. What Mr. Hinton went through no one should experience, but as long as we have systemic racism what Mr. Hinton went through will contInue to happen to black and brown men. A must read

This was a really powerful read, heartbreaking at times, and highly effective in how it dealt with the injustices in the US legal system, in their court processes and in how racial and economic discrimination prevailed so openly and in such an acceptable manner for so long, as I’m sure it still does today. The location of one’s birth is such a random thing, designed by God alone, yet so much relies upon it. Ray is an inspiration to all, his power of forgiveness is astounding, he has a lesson for us all.

The most gut wrenching, tear your heart apart, but stitch it back together book I have ever read. Powerful fails to fully describe. Grace and mercy personified.

Wow! Amazing! Anthony Ray Hinton is an amazing man. This memoir of Hinton’s experience of being falsely accused, tried, and convicted to death row where he stayed for fifteen years before being exonerated... Hinton said, “...Pain and tragedy and injustice happen - they happen to us all. I'd like to believe it's what you choose to do after such an experience that matters the most - that truly changes your life forever.” If I was still teaching, I would make this book a required reading for my senior classes.
I will recommend this memoir to several bookclubs. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton is easily one of the most inspiring books of 2018. Anthony's story is similar to so many of the unfortunate stories we hear in the news of men who are put in prison for crimes that they continually deny with little proof but what really sets this story apart is how Anthony stayed positive throughout his incarceration. His ability to try to be a light to his fellow prisoners, including one who was in prison for a lynching, was something I am likely to never forget. I would recommend this book to any and everyone.

I am in charge of our Senior School library and am looking for a diverse array of new books to furnish their shelves with and inspire our young people to read a wider and more diverse range of books as they move through the senior school. It is hard sometimes to find books that will grab the attention of young people as their time is short and we are competing against technology and online entertainments.
This was a thought-provoking and well-written read that will appeal to young readers across the board. It had a really strong voice and a compelling narrative that I think would capture their attention and draw them in. It kept me engrossed and I think that it's so important that the books that we purchase for both our young people and our staff are appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible - as well as providing them with something a little 'different' that they might not have come across in school libraries before.
This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for school so that our young people can enjoy it for themselves. A satisfying and well-crafted read that I keep thinking about long after closing its final page - and that definitely makes it a must-buy for me!

This. Book. I thought I knew this story. I had read Bryan Stevenson’s JUST MERCY in which he tells the story of being Ray Hinton’s attorney. But that is just not the same thing as experiencing the story from Ray’s own viewpoint. I felt like I had been through almost every day of the thirty years he spent as an innocent man on death row by the time I finished, and I wept with him when he was finally released. If you care at all about Justice, I highly recommend this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And as a bonus recommendation, if you have not read JUST MERCY, you must. Understanding this country’s Justice or lack thereof should not be optional for those of us who are her citizens.
@debsreads

Wow this was a very powerful true account of an innocent man's time in prison. I felt for him, and I am so happy he has been released!

The Sun Does Not Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

Brief Summary: This is the compelling true story of Anthony Ray Hinton, who served a 30-year sentence on death row for a crime he didn’t commit before his conviction was overturned.

Highlights: This is a thought-provoking look at race in America and the best book I’ve read on the topic since To Kill A Mockingbird. He also explores what it means to be poor and the injustice of the death penalty itself. Hinton is an incredibly special and resilient individual. I love that he started a book club for his fellow death row inmates and became friends with them despite their different backgrounds. There were several moments that I laughed out loud; so unexpected on a book about death row.

What makes this book unique?: Point blank this book inspired me to read Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, learn how I can support the work of the Equal Justice Initiative, and visit the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. I don’t think I will ever forget the profound sense of injustice I felt.

Explanation of Rating: 5/5 One of the best books I’ve read in the past few years.

Psychology Factors: This should be required reading for the multicultural competent psychologist. It also highlights issues of socioeconomic disadvantage too.

I already purchased a hardback copy of this book for my own collection and will be encouraging all my friends and family to read it!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

This book was a redemption song that echoed in my soul! This poor man was wrongly accused of murder, and his tale of navigating the legal system while innocent both broke my heart and put it back together. He writes of his plight so well and honestly, I felt his hurt and hope so clearly! This is an absolute must-read! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC and letting me experience the joy and pain of this book for free!