Alex Mar Pořadí knih

A masterful, revelatory work of literary non-fiction about a teenage girl's shocking crime - and its extraordinary aftermath.'An absorbing work of social history and a story about the mystery and miracle of forgiveness...it deserves to be read with attention.' Hilary Mantel, Booker Prize-winning author of the Wolf Hall trilogyOn a spring afternoon in 1985 in Gary, Indiana, a fifteen- year-old black girl kills a white elderly bible teacher in a violent home invasion. In a city with a history of racial tension the press swoops in.When Paula is sentenced to death, no one decries the impending execution of a tenth grader. But the tide begins to shift when the victim's grandson Bill forgives the girl, against the wishes of his family, and campaigns to spare her life. This tragedy in a midwestern steel town soon reverberates across the United States and around the world - reaching as far away as the Vatican - as newspapers cover the story on their front pages and millions sign petitions in support of Paula.As Paula waits on death row, her fate sparks a debate that not only animates legal circles but raises vital questions about the value of human life. This story asks us to consider the nature of justice, and what radical acts of empathy we might be capable of.

This thought-provoking work of literary journalism explores a shocking crime and its aftermath. In 1985, a black teenager in Gary, Indiana, kills an elderly white woman during a robbery. The case captivates the state, leading to the fifteen-year-old killer, Paula Cooper, being sentenced to death, with Indiana's minimum age for the death penalty set at ten. The narrative unfolds through a diverse cast of characters: a female public defender, two Italian journalists, a Franciscan friar connected to the Pope, and the victim's grandson, who seeks to save Paula's life. As Paula awaits her fate on death row, the case ignites a debate that extends beyond legal circles, raising profound questions about the purpose of criminal justice and the harshest penalties. It challenges readers to consider the nature of forgiveness—whether it is desperation or bravery—and the depths of human empathy. While beginning with a murder and a death sentence, the story ultimately centers on the will to live, survive, and change against overwhelming odds. Through meticulous research and intimate storytelling, it brings to life a haunting chapter in the history of the criminal justice system.