From back of book:
It was meant to be a holiday. A 2 week break to a tropical paradise to celebrate a sister's birthday. But for Schapelle Corby it ended up a waking nightmare. She was arrested at Denpasar airport after 4.2 kg of marijuana were found in her boogie board bag. Schapelle had become the real life victim of every traveller's darkest fear - drugs had been placed in her bag after she checked it in. Though completely innocent, she was forced to face the consequences of someone else's crime in a country where the penalties for drug smuggling are among the hardest in the world.

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michyj•QLD
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As with everyone else in Australia, I followed Schapelle's story in the media. I watched the news stories as they unfolded one minute thinking she was guilty, the next innocent, all swayed by the medias angle. It was really interesting to read indepth about all the stories printed about her and then finding out what was really going on. I live on the Gold Coast so saw lots of coverage with her Aussie lawyer Robin and the media hungry Ron. It was really interesting reading about them and why they were helping her. She wrote so much about all the 'players' that I wonder how that won't damage future hearings. Sounds like this girl has no hope of getting out and that by writing the book she was just trying to get her side of the story out there. I lean to the belief that she is innocent and really feel for her. Initially I was really embarassed to buy this book, but after reading it, I have to admit that it was such a compelling read. I'll be curious to see what the others on this bookring have to say. Am I gullible or do the others believe she is innocent too?

MAILED NOV 24, 2006

I think I'm going to sound a bit harsh with this, but it's just mho. Yes, I think she is innocent, yes I think it's a terrible thing to happen, but really... I think it is obvious that Schapelle came from a fairly sheltered background. Sure the conditions were unsanitary, and cramped and horrible, but it doesn't sound like it was that much worse than a dodgy summer camp (except she has to spend the next 20 years there). Maybe it's her famed optimisim shining through, or the great lengths her sister has gone to to make her life somewhat bearable, but ipods and makeup and little cooking stoves really don't sound like my idea of hell. It was horrible in parts, like the constant media hounding (shame on you Kate Langbroek!) and the fighting between other prisoners, but in some parts I just had to laugh at Scapelle's naivety.

Like I said, maybe I'm being too harsh, perhaps I'm jaded and cynical, and I'm sure I wouldn't want to be in her shoes, but I just can't feel shocked and horrified about her sitting in her little blow up pool, with her perfectly manicured eyebrows, listening to her ipod with her sister bringing in chocolate and groceries, and buying anything everyone else in her cell needs too.

Am I the only one who thinks this?

Contacting ScarletRubies to send this on it's way.

Received this book yesterday, thanks. It's going to have a hard time staying on the bottom of my TBRs; I've been wanting to read this for a few months now.

I think that the deprivation of liberty, and the loss of POTENTIAL is the worst thing about prison. To be falsely imprisoned (I'm assuming; but even before reading the book I 'feel' she's innocent of the drug trafficking crime) is a terrible thing. If nothing changes, this young woman will have been robbed of the opportunity to work, study, marry, have children, participate in equal friendships and relationships, travel - the possibilities lost!!! An ipod + wading pool wouldn't be much consolation for all that she's lost/losing; and the loss to her family...

Ah. Bless her.

Firstly, my apologies for not getting this book out a month ago; no good enough reason of course, but I am onto it now and PMing Bookfairy (great name) tonight. Hopefully get an address and get the book off on Monday.

I am glad I had a chance to read the book; as much as it's a one sided account, I am still convinced that she's not 'just' a drug smuggler who was caught. I know I am glad to be an Australian, but I'm not so sure my government is as keen on it's citizens as we are fond of our country. I am sure many people will be familiar with the rights of passage given to citizens of the Roman empire; shouldn't we have the full weight of the Australian government behind her citizens too? Doesn't seem wise to leave the country, or have different religious/political views! :)

Back to Schapelle's story, I hope as she continues to witness the worst of human behaviour and the most ugly sides of life that she isn't irredeemably lost and broken.

Apologies for the long delays - put off a post office trip till I had other chores in that neck of the woods etc. On the way to NSW April 30, 2007.

I'm pleased to report this book has just landed safely on my doorstep.

Schappelle Corby just doesn't seem to ever be far from the headlines does she? Just this year alone she has hit the headlines three times that I know of.

First there was her "ex-friend" Jodie Power, who has spoken out publicly saying that she was certain Schappelle was actually guilty;

Then there was the recent court ruling that Schappelle or no other member of her family could profit from the proceeds of this book;

And finally in the last week or two Australian fashion designer Nicholas Morley sent models down the catwalk at Australian Fashion Week wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Four Kilo - Anti Hero" in huge letters and then in smaller writing on the bottom of the T-shirt "Schappelle Corby is guilty and has cost Bali millions of dollars in lost revenue. Bali is safe and so is Qantas."

After reading the previous journal entries, it seems apparant to me that I am the only one so far who is not that certain of Schappelle's innocence. I've always thought there were things in her story that just don't add up - and her body language quite often seems to be telling a different story to the words coming out of her mouth. It will be interesting to see whether I've changed my mind after reading this book (although I doubt it - and considering Schappelle is the co-author, I can guess what slant the book will take).

A good read, but nope - I'm still not convinced of Schappelle's innocence. Her story just seems a little too contrived at times. One of the most telling comments in the book is that Schappelle says 'Other kids in our neighbourhood and school said we were spoilt', and I think that's the crux of it - kids see things like this and call a spade a spade. When I see Schappelle and Mercedes on the TV, they really do come across as spoilt brats. Schappelle got busted doing something wrong and is incredulous that no-one is able to get her out of it. I am sure that in the early days she had convinced herself that she would somehow get out of this mess, and I have to agree with Mick Keelty (Federal Police Commissioner) when he says: 'Every courier, whether they are coming into Australia, or whether they are going into Vietnam, going into Thailand, will say the drugs are not mine. It's the universal excuse...'

Another thing that really bugs me about the Corby family is that two of Schappelle's brothers also have criminal records and have spent time in prison - at least one of them for a drug conviction. That means that including Schappelle, half of the six kids in Schappelle's family have been caught committing crimes, yet Schappelle still tries to convince us that she knew nothing about drugs before she was caught. Sorry, but if my brother was arrested on a drug charge, I would make it my business to know at least a little bit about drugs. Also, I never knew you could DNA test marijuana, but Schappelle did - but still she insists, she knew nothing about drugs.

The fact that Schappelle was also photographed with a drug smuggler, and then claimed that she was tricked into it and didn't know he was a drug smuggler - sorry, but in her situation, make it your business to know! In the book, Schappelle claimed that she did not want the spotlight or 'star' treatment, and that it was the media forever hounding her for photographs, yet she readily allows tourist's to pose in photographs with her to take home as a souvenir of Bali??? I think she quite enjoys the spotlight!

One final thing that really bothers me about the Corby case is Schappelle's eagerness to blame everyone except herself. Her list of excuses goes on and on:

*It's the fault of the Bali police - they should have done this.
*It's the Australian Feds fault - they should have done that.
*It's QANTAS's fault - they didn't do this.
It's my solicitors fault - they didn't do that.

Everyone else's fault! She really is acting like a spoilt child (as the neighbourhood kids claimed) blaming everyone else for her woes.

I think Jodie Power might well be telling the truth. Her story seems way more credible than Schappelle's, and Jodie's body language seems way more believable than Schappelle's.

Having said all that, there is one thing I agree with Schappelle on. I do think her sentence is quite harsh compared to other drug sentences, she did after all get the same as Renae Lawrence who was caught trafficking heroin strapped to her body! Schappelle was young and stupid - still 20 years seems a very harsh sentence. And as for the sentences handed out to the Bali bombers - that is just a joke!

I will get this off to the next reader ASAP. Thanks again michyj for the opportunity to read this.

On it's way to mummafour this afternoon.

Thank you bookfairy65 this arrived today with some extra books Thank You so much. I will start on this tonight!!!

What an interesting read but sadly I still feel she isn't innocent. Schapelle seems to blame to many other people for her fate and some things just dont add up. Her life in Kerobakan Prison is hellish and the living conditions are horrendous but she still seems to have a good time.Schapelle is very luck to have the full support of her family and her sister goes all out to make her life in there better. I do think a 20 year sentence is way to much for carrying marijuana even for someone who is guilty!
Thank You michyj for sharing this book!!


Shelly-Sparkles has asked to be skipped so the book was posted to Arrietty this morning

So glad to get this book yesterday. I didn't want to buy it as i don't believe it is a great book but I'm sure of Corby's innocence so was interested to hear her side of the story. I know lots of people think she's lying but there are so many travesties of Justice that I can well believe this is another one. I remember 90% of population thought Lindy Chamberlain was guilty - it was her body language and her behaviour. Same with Joanna Lees. I always look at the facts and in Corby's case they don't add up at all. You can compare the price of cannabis in Indonesia and Australia in 2002 (http://www.unodc.org/pdf/WDR_2004/Chap5_cannabis.pdf) and you will see that it's just not worth enough in Bali to be profitable. It would have been easier and more profitable if she had smuggled 4 grams of heroin in a body cavity.

But enough, I haven't even read the book! Thanks mummafour for the yummy chocolate and lovely bookmark. And thanks michyj for starting the bookring. I'll let you know what I think when I've finished.

I thought the book was hopelessly disjointed and repeated itself quite a bit - however I do feel for the woman who is obviously a victim of injustice both in Indonesia and Australian systems. The Federal Government clearly considers Corby a casualty in their pursuit of more high level criminals - they didn't want to compromise their investigation into the baggage handlers activities with moving drugs between airports. The Indonesian Justice system doesn't have the same regard for 'innocence until proven guilty as we do'. Poor Schappelle was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the media's inaccurate reporting didn't help. I don't think anyone except Corby could know if she's guilty or not but a fair trial with proper evidence handling should be mandatory.

The book is now on its way to charliewendy. Thanks michyj for starting the ring.

Book received, safe and sound, thanks Arrietty and thank you for the other books as well! What a lovely surprise! Its like Christmas!

This was a much better book then I expected it to be. I found it compelling reading if somewhat stressful. I feel tremendously sorry for Corby who I think is just an ordinary girl with extraordinary bad luck. The police, (both Australian and Indonesian), the lawyers and the courts have all let her down. You only have to compare her sentence (20 years)with those of murderers and other convicted drug smugglers (3 - 7 years) to wonder why she has been singled out. I can only assume that certain influential powers do not want her free to tell her story ever.
Given the unsanitary conditions, the regular bashings and suicides that occur in her prison I worry about her capacity to survive 20 years in there.
I am quite sure she is innocent, but even those who feel she may have done it must admit that the case against her was cooked-up and her attempts to gather evidence to defend herself were thwarted at every turn.
It must be a waking nightmare every day for her family. I only hope and pray that the nightmare will be over much sooner than 20 years from now.

I have pmed jjlanes for an addy.

Thanks for sharing michyj!

PS I would be interested to know if this book has changed anyone''s mind about Corby''s guilt or innocence? From comments posted above I''m thinking that we are all sticking pretty much to what we already thought.

This went in the mail to jjlanes today, 13-Aug.

The book arrived today. :D
I will read it asap.

To Start with I am soooooo sorry that I have had the book for so long. We have been having trouble with building our extention.

I will be posting it off to puppymummy ASAP.

I realy enjoyed reading Schapelle's side of the story.
I believed from the start that she was probably innocent and I still believe that she is probably innocent after reading the book. Her diary entries were very interesting and sad.

Taking into account that this is just one side of the story I feel that guilty or innocent Schapelle should be spending her time in an Australian Prison.

Thankyou for letting me read this book and also thankyou for not yelling at me for keeping it so long. :D

This actually arrived a week or so ago, was placed carefully next to the computer for journalling and then promptly buried under a pile of other books, so I apologise for taking so long to journal it.
Will hopefully be read soon!

I originally thought Schapelle was innocent, then wasn't so sure based on media reports. I'm back to being convinced that she didn't do it - more based on the corresponding evidence about drug smuggling in airports and the testimony of the other prisoner about a conversation he overheard.
I'm also not altogether sure that it wasn't her brother.
I do think that her family and her are really, really naive (stupid?) to have hired a lawyer not recommended by the embassy, to have gotten caught up with the Ron/Robin scenario (not sure how much of her story I believe here!) and to be seen pictured with drug smugglers etc. But the sentence is excessive, and I can understand her despair at not being able to achieve some sort of justice, particularly when we are brought up in a fairer justice system and with the belief that life should be somewhat fair.

This will be posted to sabavana in the next few days.

Received safe and sound! I'm really looking forward to reading this, I've eyed it off in the bookshop a few times but always managed to spend my dollars in the New Age section :-) Will report back with my verdict.

She didn't do it -- IMHO -- I didn't think so previously (though I was never 100% sure), but after reading her book I honestly don't think there's a doubt she's innocent.

It wasn't the best read (how many times was "This is my life!" repeated?) but it was very compelling and the Verdict Day chapter had me teary reading it on the train.

I will certainly be glad-wrapping my bags if ever I travel overseas, and I think I'll find the address of Hotel Kerobokan and send Schapelle a little card or something... just to brighten her day for a minute or so. Oh, and a book of course!

Thanks for the read, will PM the next reader right now.

Haven't heard anything from luckydipper after a few PM's, so have just PM'd kidwrangler (next on the list).

Posted to kidwrangler today (finally!) -- enjoy :-)

Book received safe and sound - thanks Sabavana :)

This story really stirs up people doesn't it? A tradie at my house saw it on the table and said he'd heard on the grapevine that Schapelle is innocent, but the courier was supposed to be her sister... theories aside, it is a sad fact that a young woman now finds herself in a situation I would never want to be in. I am interested to read her side of the story.

Hopefully I'll get some quiet time over Easter to read it - thanks for the ring Michyj :)

Oh, my heart goes out to all the people living in these styles of prisons. I was really sad to hear in the news recently that Schapelle's appeal was rejected, as the book at least ends with some hope toward that.

This book really hit home for me as to how she ended up such a controversial media figure, and has made me more inclined to believe in her innocence and be more concerned as to the safety of our domestic and international airports as a traveller.

It is obviously a biased account, as every (semi) auto-biography is, but I am definitely glad I read this book. It has personalised a situation that until now I have pretty much blown off as 'not my problem, not interested in the media hype'. I really hope the Australian govt can at least organise for Australians in foreign gaols to serve their sentences in our prisons.

This book just made me appreciate my freedoms and my life so much more, and really made me feel the shock and sadness for Schapelle and her whole family.

I am passing this book along in person to Luckydipper at the next GCBC meet. Thanks Michyj for sharing.

Thanks for bringing to last weekends meet up kidwrangler, cant wait to get into this one, it seems that every week something new pops into the news about Schapelle.

Thanks Michyj for permission to pass this along to someone at work who expressed a wish to read it, I finally received it back yesterday and will start it soon.

About halfway through the read, Deb at work said 'even though i know it is only one side of the story, i think by the end of the book I will be convinced that she is innocent' after she gave it back and finished the book, she said; 'I am still not convinced either way'.

Work friend gave it to me to read. Schapelle's story is so eye opening I read it in three days but had to put it down for most of the second day it was so shocking and upsetting to read what Schapelle is going through in that horrid jail. When I had my shower and was putting on my jammies I thought Schapelle doesn't have that luxury and started crying. My heart has gone out to her and the injustice of what she is going through is absolutely shocking. It is a book that every one should read.

CAUGHT IN TWEED HEADS NSW AUSTRALIA