44 pages • 1 hour read
Picking Cotton: Our Memoir Of Injustice And Redemption
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Book Brief
Picking Cotton
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2009305
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Carolina • 1980s
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Picking Cotton by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Ronald Cotton, and Erin Torneo centers on Jennifer mistakenly identifying Ronald as her rapist, leading to his wrongful conviction and 11-year imprisonment before DNA evidence exonerates him; the memoir details their journey from trauma and injustice to the healing power of forgiveness and friendship, emphasizing issues of racism and the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. Sensitive topics include sexual assault and wrongful imprisonment.
Emotional
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
10,671 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Picking Cotton by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Ronald Cotton, and Erin Torneo is widely praised for its compelling narrative and profound insights into the criminal justice system and wrongful convictions. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and courage of both authors. Some found it repetitive but agree it's a powerful, essential read on forgiveness and resilience.
Who Should Read Picking Cotton?
Readers who appreciate The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson will find Picking Cotton compelling. This memoir appeals to those interested in wrongful convictions, criminal justice reform, and human resilience through first-person narratives and a deeply human exploration of truth and reconciliation.
10,671 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ronald Cotton
Ronald Cotton
A man wrongfully convicted of rape, who maintains his innocence and eventually proves it through DNA evidence. After his release, he forms an unexpected friendship with Jennifer and becomes involved in advocacy work.
305
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Carolina • 1980s
2009
Adult
18+ years
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