In the Sanctuary of Outcasts

Unless you have a heart of stone this book will touch you. It shows how redemption can come in unlikely ways. It will make you laugh out loud and reach for tissues too. It’s my second favorite book after “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Read it. You won’t be sorry.

When I read the summary of what this book was about I knew I had to read it. Being born and raised in the New Orleans metro area I've heard about Carville and the leprosy colony but nothing more than that. The start of the book tells you about Neil White who ended up in federal prison by kiting checks. You get to hear about all the things Neil White had and how he let it all slip between his fingers because he was always looking for more material things. How he looked and was perceived by others meant more to him than anything and he undertook any means possible to look successful. When he was found out he was sentenced to 18 months in the federal prison but not just any prison but to Carville where he would share residence with the leprosy patients still housed there. He introduces you to some of the more memorable inmates and patients he comes into contact there. He also tells you about the disease and about the physical building at Carville. Some of the inmates aren't real likable at first but grow on you as you read the memoir. I read this book in about 3 days (it would have been faster if I didn't have any kids!) and found it quite enjoyable. He has very short chapters in the book which, to me, made it easier to read. I could read a few pages and be at the end of a chapter. Self-pity is something Neil White talks about in the book when he finds out, while in prison, that his wife wants a divorce and of course takes custody of their two children. He sees that he has nothing....and he starts to fall apart. No money and no job with a ton of debt Neil is an ex-con who feels like the world is on his shoulders until he steps into the patient side of Carville. He sees people who were taken from their homes and forced to live there. Many of them are missing legs, fingers or are blind. Needless to say, the self-pity doesn't stay with Neil. Its a very good book.

The theme of personal transformation is not new, but most people do not experience this while serving time in a leprosarium turned Federal Prison. During his incarceration for kiting checks, Neil White shed his extra weight, his ignorance about Hansens disease, and many of his illusions as to who he was and what was ultimately important in life. Contrary to the experience of another reviewer, I did not find this to be at all slick or superficial. Without slipping into sentimentality, White opens the reader to the humanity of his companions, reminding us that each of us is in some respect an outcast, imprisoned, in need of healing and able to provide healing as well. Well written, well researched, funny, hopeful, compassionate and well recommended.

An educated white collar family man ends up a convicted criminal because of criminal behavior...Sadly, this is hardly remarkable. When said man ends up in a federal prison inside the United States first and last national leprosarium, The Carville Federal Medical Facility, well, it is not only remarkable, but quite unbelievable. The life of Neil White took just such a turn and "In the Sanctuary of Outcasts" chronicles that journey. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Neil White was guilty before he ever had a criminal lapse. Guilty of idealism, arrogance, and materialism all of which, unbridled, fatally clouded his judgment. In the end those traits, and a few others, contributed to not one, but two collapsed businesses-each involving criminal activity - the last being of such a magnitude prosecution was guaranteed. So the real journey begins when Neil's father drops him off at what he assumes is a minimum security federal penitentiary. When Neil realizes he is among the last segregated group of Americans with leprosy he feels as if he has stepped into a nightmare. Locked down among criminals in a leper colony and made to do menial labor for outcasts so isolated they literally no longer exist in the world Neil knew. Plus, he is surrounded by an odd assortment of criminals, which he is now one, who have been deemed of less value than lepers. Could it get worse? It did as Neil soon learned his wife was dissolving their marriage. Somehow through all of this Neil must seek to mend his own broken self and find redemption of his past and a meaningful path for his future. In all of the darkness outlined above there lies a truly remarkable story. As things formerly held so dear are removed, Neil begins to see that which really does hold meaning. Thankfully there is a full cast of colorful characters, both afflicted with leprosy as well as those who appear courtesy of their criminal tendencies. These become some of the most important relationships as Neil navigates his own self discovery. He learns no man is an island; no man's value is measured in dollars, in titles, or even business accomplishments. Real value in life comes only through serving your fellowman and vice-versa. I realize the story I've outlined is in many ways a cliché' in that man loses way, man goes to prison, man finds way...But, trust me this isn't that at all. It's so much more as it will likely touch and affect you in a much more personal way. I really loved this book. I simply couldn't put it down and since reading it I have been constantly revisiting how I might summon some of Ella's strength and grace. Read it and you'll know what I'm getting at. Highly recommended.

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts, by Neil White, is the best book I've read in a long time. Mr. White was convicted of check kiting and sentenced to serve 18 months in a federal prison. This meant giving up a life of luxury and privilege, community status and ultimately, his marriage and coveted family life. White was sent to Carville, a facility in Louisiana that housed white collar criminals and 150 or so leprosy victims. When White first stepped onto the property, he likened it to a scene from Alice in Wonderland, with its odd cast of characters, and was horrified to learn that he'd be living amongst outcasts. But soon enough his fear turned to curiosity, and he mingled with patients who ultimately changed his entire perspective on life. This book was masterfully written; White takes the reader on an indescribable journey through his year at Carville. As a nurse who works with many social outcasts, the people White described in the book were fascinating to me. (A bonus was learning that White was a native of Gulfport, MS., where I live. In fact, I was Knox Whites nurse at one time). White used incredible writing skills to show me, not tell me, his story so well that I was disgusted by his character about halfway through the book. He painted such an accurate picture of himself, that I completely fell into his trap, and didn't realize it until later on in the story. His intentions of describing his narcissism and complete disregard for his crimes and those he hurt by his actions, were flawless. I enjoyed this book very much. I do not, however, have much faith that the author went on to live a virtuous, generous life helping unfortunate outcasts. There is nothing in the epilogue to suggest that. He was born into privilege and despite not one - but two - serious issues with the law - he still managed to land on his feet. It would have been nice to read that White devoted the rest of his life to serving homeless people and invalids, but that wasn't meant to be. In the real world, few people measure up to Ella and Harry.

Wonderful, interesting, lively and surprisingly moving account of Mr. White's time as a prisoner served at the leprosarium in Carrville, LA. Haven't met a cast of characters this colorful since Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil. Lively, extremely interesting not only for the info about leprosy and the weird circumstances that brought a federal prison and a leprosarium together, but also a sweet accounting of Mr. White's personal trials, discoveries and eventual redemption. It's a first-class page turner.