46 pages • 1 hour read
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row
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Book Brief
The Sun Does Shine
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Alabama • 1980s-2010s
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Sun Does Shine, Anthony Ray Hinton recounts his wrongful conviction and nearly three decades on death row in Alabama, illustrating the deep flaws in the criminal justice system. Through his journey of despair and hope, he finds inner strength, forms meaningful relationships, and, with the help of Bryan Stevenson, eventually secures his release, dedicating his life to advocating against the death penalty. The book includes discussions of capital punishment, racial injustice, and wrongful imprisonment.
Inspirational
Emotional
Contemplative
Challenging
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
74,864 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton and Lara Love Hardin presents a gripping, heartfelt memoir that highlights the profound human capacity for resilience and hope. Praised for its emotional depth and compelling storytelling, the narrative faces some critique for its pacing. Overall, it powerfully sheds light on injustices within the criminal justice system.
Who Should Read The Sun Does Shine?
A reader who would enjoy The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton and Lara Love Hardin is likely drawn to powerful memoirs of resilience and justice. Fans of Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy or Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow will appreciate Hinton's harrowing yet inspiring story of wrongful imprisonment and unwavering hope.
74,864 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson
Hinton's dedicated lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, who is world-weary from representing many death row inmates but becomes friends with Hinton through their shared struggles.
Buhlar Hinton
Buhlar Hinton
Ray Hinton's mother, known for her sharp dressing and powerful, sometimes silent, communication, who provides unconditional love and support to her son throughout his imprisonment.
Henry Hays
Henry Hays
A member of Hinton's book club who was raised in a family involved with the KKK and is on death row for a racially motivated crime, showing a change in attitude during the meetings.
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Alabama • 1980s-2010s
2018
Adult
18+ years
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