A Little Piece of Light

By: Donna Hylton, Kristine Gasbarre

Narrated by: Donna Hylton

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Random Family meets Orange Is the New Black in A Little Piece of Light, a memoir of survival, redemption, hope, and sisterhood from a bold new voice on the front lines of the criminal justice reform movement.

Like so many women before her and so many women yet to come, Donna Hylton's early life was a nightmare of abuse that left her feeling alone and convinced of her worthlessness. In 1986, she took part in a horrific act and was sentenced to 25 years to life for kidnapping and second-degree murder. It seemed that Donna had reached the end—at age 19, due to her own mistakes and bad choices, her life was over.

A Little Piece of Light tells the heartfelt, often harrowing tale of Donna's journey back to life as she faced the truth about the crime that locked her away for 27 years...and celebrated the family she found inside prison that ultimately saved her. Behind the bars of Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, alongside this generation's most infamous criminals, Donna learned to fight, then thrive. For the first time in her life, she realized she was not alone in the abuse and misogyny she experienced—and she was also not alone in fighting back.

Since her release in 2012, Donna has emerged as a leading advocate for criminal justice reform and women's rights who speaks to politicians, violent abusers, prison officials, victims, and students to tell her story. But it's not her story alone, she is quick to say. She also represents the stories of thousands of women who have been unable to speak for themselves, until now.

©2018 Donna Hylton and Kristine Gasbarre (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The treatment of each unique child is the true measure of the state of the world. Donna Hylton was punished for being born female, black, and brilliant—yet she survived to create her own life. A Little Piece of Light will tell you just how fragile—and how indestructible—the human spirit can be."—Gloria Steinem

"Donna Hylton's painful yet liberating memoir will certainly be transformative for many who read her words. As a survivor of sexual abuse and violence—inside and outside prison—she tells the whole truth of her experience, including her deep regret for the moments that she's harmed others and her passionate commitment to co-creating a justice system that acknowledges the little piece of light that shines within us no matter who we are, what we've done, or what has been done to us."—Michelle Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The New Jim Crow

"Donna Hylton is a light warrior, an inspiration, a survivor, a profound storyteller, and an important teacher for our times."—Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic

AMAZING!

Loved it! Donna is truly an amazing woman. To go through so much in her life and today stand stronger than ever is so inspiring. Donna you have motivated me in everyway possible and given me another perspective on incarcerated women. God Bless you and your daughter!

Must Read!!!! I Loved It!!!!!!

I loved this book. Her story is amazing and it encouraging. I felt so many emotions while reading this book.

what a powerful book

I purchased this book on Audible. The brother of the Author had told me about the book. I purchased it the same day, immediately was drawn into the story. I havent yet finished it, but to the current point, I cant wait to finish it. With the Author narration on this book, makes it all the more powerful to listen to.

Utterly Gripping

A Little Piece of Light is an insightful, moving, heartbreaking, and heartwarming book. The visceral descriptions of pain and suffering invoke personal nausea while the compelling sense of hope produce tears.
I will recommend this book to many and I will read it again.
Thank you Donna for your courage, strength, and continued compassion.

Compelling

Donna's story was sad and yet powerful; once you start this audiobook, you must finish the book.

The Best Audiobook I've Listened To

I saw Donna Hylton speak about her experiences for the first time, on the syndicated radio morning show "The Breakfast Club". I was immediately impressed. Her candor was refreshing. She gracefully spoke of forgiveness which made me want to know more about this person who after having been through so much pain, seemed to be healing and helping other women. I immediately added "A Little Piece Of Light" to my library, began listening at work and couldn't stop. I finished listening on my commute home in my car. This is the first audiobook that I finished in one day. I hope that this book gets into the right hands so that it can be made into a screenplay. I've learned a lot and I hope to see and hear more from this author in the future.

Fantastic story of determination

I heard about Donna on a podcast and was so intrigued by the amount of failure in protecting her from the beginning of her life. To many times es children and women like her are abused and ignored and blamed for their shirt comings, which leads them further down a path of wrong choices do to the inability to understand hiw to trust those that are meant to protect you. I'm so happy her path has changed for the better despite everything that she has done and gone through. Donna being able to vocalize her story should could help others with a similar struggle. very good read.

Profoundly Impactful & Engaging

This was an absolutely excellent book, well written and well performed as an audiobook, as well. The story is engaging and interesting. She is able to bring light to an extremely dark topic that makes it feel relatable and allows us to listen with compassion and without judgment. Truly excellent work.

incredibly powerful and dangeringly honest

this book is a must read. I applaud the author for her bravery, honesty and her heart to transform the world we live in. Thank you for challenging us all to do the same.

Very good book

Very Interesting read. Never wanted to pause!! Listened twice and will again soon. Highly recommended!!