Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption
by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo
Non-Fiction
St. Martin’s Press
March 2009
“Help me, please! I’ve been raped by a black man! He’s after me!”
Frantic words depict the emotional trauma of a 22-year-old, white female, barefoot and naked beneath a blanket wrapped around her violated body, as she bolts out of her apartment door and out into the dark, wet night.
On July 29, 1984, Jennifer Thompson was the victim of a senseless rape.
“I’ve replayed this scene in my head over and over, wondering if there was any way all of this could have come out differently. What if I had worn a different shirt? What if I hadn’t gotten my dates mixed up? … That was the last time I walked in anywhere as a free man for the next eleven years.”
At the Burlington Police Department, a young, black man, also 22 years of age, attempts to clear his name. But he’s no match for Detective Gauldin, and despite his innocence, he makes several costly mistakes. A knife (a utility knife) is found in his front pocket; dates of his whereabouts are fuzzy; and the biggest mistake of all, a lawyer is not present during his interrogation.
On August 1, 1984, Ronald Cotton was the victim of an eyewitness account gone wrong.
The paths of Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton collide — the accuser and the innocent. And no matter how you try to rationalize or dismiss the harsh reality of the falsely accused, its senselessness knocks you off your feet. ”Could this happen to me?” you ask. Questions without answers will haunt readers of the compelling, new title “Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption” by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo.
Emotions run high as Jennifer struggles to get on with her scarred life, while Ronald, along with dedicated lawyers, fight a system of injustice. Two families are thrust into a world of turmoil as they wait and wait and wait, each searching for a positive resolution. It’s hard not to choose sides.
Powerful details deliver the punch of a novel, but unlike fiction, words are hardly enough to capture the heart-wrenching account of how an innocent, young man adapts to a potential, longer-than-life sentence. Can written words shed light on how a fractured man can forgive a stranger?
Two storytellers and one writer unite to prove the power of words. They deliver a brilliant rendition of betrayal and forgiveness. Never again, will readers see victims, criminals, lawyers, judges and the death penalty the same. And every now and then, there’s hope in the form of a bold story that alters an opinion, a person and even several lives. This is one of those stories.
According to The Innocence Project, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing.
Q&A with Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino
Ronald Cotton …
What has been your biggest challenge upon being set free on June 30, 1995, 11 years later — your biggest adjustment? What is the one thing that has taken you by surprise?
Cotton: The biggest challenge was being accepted back into the community as an innocent man. The biggest adjustment was being able to trust again and figuring out all the changes that had taken place during those 11 years. The biggest surprise was being approached by women and some of the outrageous things they would say.
If you had the power to change one thing about the legal system, today, what would that one change be?
Cotton: There needs to be checks and balances put into place at all levels of investigation leading up to trial.
In one word, how would you describe Jennifer?
Cotton: Loving.
Jennifer Thompson-Cannino …
Looking back, even before your awful experience, what was your opinion about African-American males? If, in the past, you were influenced by racial stereotypes or ideals, how have those changed?
Thompson-Cannino: I never had any racial issues before my attack and frankly that never changed afterwards. There are no bad races, religions or genders. People are responsible for their choices and blaming people because their race and religion is a cop out.
If you had the power to change one thing about the legal system, today, what would that one change be?
Thompson-Cannino: We need to hold those accountable who intentionally disregard truth or manufacture lies that lead to this type of injustice.
In one word, how would you describe Ronald?
Thompson-Cannino: Amazing.
Just ask any youngster, there’s nothing like dressing up for a good old Easter egg hunt and sporting a cool basket for stashing discovered treats. Easter baskets are usually overflowing with candy, eggs, chocolate bunnies and even edible grass, but many forget to make room for one more treasure in this colorful nest – a book. And there’s plenty of reading material to choose from.
Store aisles are hopping with Easter classics, picture books, musical books, activity books and even starter Bibles for kids of all ages. An assortment of bunnies grace the cover of almost every book on display. Obviously, rabbits are almost as adorable as kids, especially during springtime. Easter Sunday is April 12, 2009, and just one more reason to give a kid a great book!
The Velveteen Rabbit: Coloring, Activities and Games by Margery Willams, Sandy Creek, February 2009
The Easter Beagle Egg Hunt by Charles M. Schulz, Running Press Book Publishers, January 2009
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny : A Pop-up Adventure by Beatrix Potter, Penguin Group USA, October 2008
The Royal Easter Tea Party by Megan E. Bryant, illustrator Claudine Gevry, Running Press Books Publishers, February 2008
My First Easter by Tomie dePaola, Penguin Group USA, January 2008
The Easter Egg Express by Birgit Meyer, Backpack Books, February 2008
Triangular Road
by Paule Marshall
Non-Fiction
BasicCivitas Books
March 2009
Meet the families, the people and the places of Brooklyn, Barbados and Africa which helped to define literary legend Paule Marshall, author of “Triangular Road,” a memoir appropriately named for the three destinations on her literary journey.
Explore the wildlife of the James River, the tropical climate of the Caribbean Sea and the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean as Marshall offers readers a kaleidoscope of literature, politics and revolution.
Marshall, author of five novels and two collections of short fiction, is a keen observer of truth and injustice. She provides a historical account of slave trade that began in Barbados before it reached the rest of the world. As an activist and researcher, her findings on the commerce of slavery paints a heart-wrenching portrait and a unique history lesson for young Americans.
Her tenacity, evident even as a youth, appears when she inquires about books written by black authors at the white public library; and her persistence is explicit with a desire to change the pronunciation of her name, which she did.
Marshall’s mother, Adriana, gifted in storytelling, influences not only her identity, but her writing as well. But one of her fondest memories is that of the matriarch (her mother’s mother) of the family, M’ Da-duh. M’ Da-duh’s strong presence is recanted in Marshall’s first and only meeting of this revered family figure whose influence appears in every book she’s written.
Despite her father’s inability to provide for his family and to stick around, Sam Burke is remembered with affection. Even today, Marshall admits that she hopelessly loves him. A studio portrait of Adriana Burke, Sam Burke and their first born child speaks volumes. It’s obvious that her father is a proud man.
A Reading in Raleigh
On a rainy Thursday night, an enthusiastic crowd gathers at Quail Ridge Books & Music located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Paule Marshall, a literary legend, arrives at the podium and begins reading from her memoir “Triangular Road.”
Marshall’s electrifying enthusiasm matches that of the crowd. Her eloquent tone delivers a poignant, yet humorous story of a remarkable man, Langston Hughes who is anointed a special place in Marshall’s memoir and heart.
Hughes is hailed in the first chapter of “Triangular Road” as a loving, demanding and unforgettable confidant. A close friend and mentor, Marshall affectionately refers to him as “night people.” Hughes, the black poet laureate and Marshall, the novice writer, experience a cultural tour of Europe which serves as the launching pad for her future in writing.
As women reminisce on the writings of celebrated female authors, March is officially recognized as Women’s History Month. This celebration of sorts marks the 50th anniversary of literary trailblazer Paule Marshall’s 1959 classic novel “Brown Girl, Brownstones” and compels us to experience her recent literary achievement, “Triangular Road.”
Daylight Saving Time, a well-deserved break from classes, blossoming trees and rising temperatures – these are unmistakable signs that Spring is near. And by setting clocks one hour ahead, you get more light out of your day and hopefully more time to read.
There’s nothing like the joy of a new book. It’s a delight to peel back that first page and thumb through the first few chapters in anticipation of what unfolds. So, go ahead, take in some fresh air and a good book!
The Long Fall by Walter Mosley, Penguin Group USA, March 2009
The Believers by Zoe Heller, HarperCollins Publishers, March 2009
Angels of Destruction by Keith Donohue, Crown Publishing Group, March 2009
The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles, HarperCollins Publishers, March 2009
The Book of Night Women by Marlon James, Penguin Group USA, February 2009
A Mad Desire to Dance by Elie Wiesel, Knopf Publishing Group, February 2009
The Women by T.C. Boyle, Viking Penguin, February 2009
Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly, Grand Central Publishing, February 2009
The Cradle
by Patrick Somerville
Fiction
Little, Brown and Company
March 2009
Two families collide in what can be deemed as one of the most intriguing debut novels of 2009. “The Cradle” by Patrick Somerville splendidly evokes, at times, curiosity, anger, empathy and even joy. How does Somerville accomplish this? He pokes and pulls at the intimate details of his characters and simple lays it all out for the imagination.
Matt Bishop is on a quest, not for himself, but at the insistence of his wife, Marissa. And it’s not that he minds, no not at all. How difficult could can it be to find an old “Civil War” baby cradle for the love of his life? He heads out in his old truck on what appears to be quick, uneventful trip, but this errand turns out to be a long journey; and along with us readers, he has no idea of what he’s getting himself into.
Marissa could not be comforted, and wouldn’t have it any other way. The cradle for the coming baby had to be the cradle she’d been rocked in as a child; not only the cradle she’d been rocked in but the cradle that was upstairs in her bedroom when she was fifteen and her mother came home one night from the grocery store, slammed her keys down on the countertop, slammed the brown crinkled bag onto the table, looked down at the floor, looked at Marissa, took the keys, and walked out the door, this time permanently. Ten days later there’d been a robbery at the house.
Somerville’s use of flashbacks are subtle and effective in convincing readers that characters like Matt Bishop and Renee Owen have a past worthy of revisiting. A cast of shady characters only add to the uniqueness of this warm, but unpredictable story.
Renee Owen mourns for a son that she hasn’t lost yet … Adam, who is off to a pointless war in Iraq. But yet she has lost someone … a love from long ago and a well kept secret that eventually finds her. Is she prepared?
Two families search for answers. From Wisconsin to Chicago, from paved streets to dirt roads, experience the sweet and not-so-sweet remnants of life where children are indestructible. They survive despite uncaring parents, predatory adults and a future full of uncertainty.
“The Cradle” is one of those rare books you just can’t put away until you’re done. Somerville, a fresh voice in fiction, keeps readers guessing, right up to the bittersweet end.
MORE BOOKS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
How To Build A Dinosaur: Extinction Doesn’t Have to Be Forever
by Jack Horner and James Gorman
Non-Fiction
Dutton
March 2009
Schuyler’s Monster: A Father’s Journey With His Wordless Daughter
by Robert Rummel-Hudson
Non-Fiction
St. Martin’s Press
February 2009
Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me
Edited by Ben Karlin
Non-Fiction
Grand Central Publishing
January 2009
Are you feeling as empty as a seasonal department store aisle a few days after Valentine’s Day? Did you cheer when the sappy, love-is-forever TV ads disappeared? You’re not alone. Whether you’re newly single or just avoiding the inevitable split, breaking up is hard to do. Or is it?
What’s harder than breaking up? Convincing several men to write about getting dumped, while sharing their private and somewhat embarrassing pain with the world. But Ben Karlin, editor of “Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me,” convinces not one, not two, but several men to do just that. And we have it in print!
Before these men reminisce about their once-broken hearts, they first profess their undying love for the women in their lives, the lucky (or unlucky) wives, and remind readers how lucky they are. Nice move -just in case.
Keep in mind that this is entertaining (sometimes explicit) reading, not your usual heart-to-heart love confessions. Brave contributors recall first-time loves, love-at-first-sight and even unrequited love which leads to the question, ”Can you be dumped if you were never attached?”
Smartly written entries make you smile and even laugh aloud. But the wittiest entry is the following excerpt from the dialogue “Persistence is for Suckers” by David Wain:
Dec. 5 – 2:11 p.m.
DEBRA:
I really look forward to this, David. See you at Joe’s Pub at 7:45.
Dec. 5 – 7:50 p.m.
ME: OUTSIDE JOE’S PUB FREEZING
Hi, Debra, it’s David. It’s ten to eight and I’m outside Joe’s Pub and you’re not here. I’ll try you at home, but I hope you’re on your way.
Dec. 5 – 7:52 p.m.
ME:
Hey … David Wain. I left a message on your cell, thought I’d try you at home just in case. Call me, I’m at Joe’s Pub. Astor Place and LaFayette Street. Call me.
Dec. 5 – 8:06 p.m.
ME:
Hey, so I’m going in. Tell the person at the door you’re with me and hopefully they’ll let you in. If you’re not coming, just let me know.
When it comes to surviving love, readers will wonder what guys and girls have in common. Not much, according to these comedic confessions. Just the bad stuff like the fear of rejection and commitment, poor self-esteem, imaginary prowess, relentless pride, memories and regret and an unshakable belief in love at first sight.
Insightful, but mostly hilarious, this book proves for once and for all that guys are totally clueless. When the actual break-up is looming, they never see it coming. So what have guys learned? Absolutely nothing.
MORE BOOKS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
What I Did For Love
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Fiction
HarperColllins Publishers
January 2009
Love on the Line
by Laura Castoro
Fiction
HarperCollins Publishers
February 2009
