Single-mother and former addict, Romy Hall, is about to start two consecutive life sentences for the brutal murder of a man who had been stalking her. Romy is bereft at losing her son and livid at the justice system, who swiftly declared her guilty, despite an incompetent public attorney. Romy quickly learns that she must adjust to her new reality behind bars, which also means trying to let go of things that she cannot control, including her young son ending up in the foster care system.
Other prisoners at California’s Stanville Women’s Correctional Facility teach Romy to take advantage of weak men through penpal connections or even through men working at the prison. She discovers a soft touch in Gordon Hauser, who has accepted a teaching job at the facility. Gordon is fascinated by the beautiful Romy, even more so, when she reveals that she is educated. Gordon uses his own money to purchase Amazon books for Romy, as she tries to use her charms on Gordon to help locate her son.
Although Romy and Gordon are the primary perspectives in The Mars Room, we also hear the narratives of Doc, a former bad cop who is behind bars, Fernandez, Romy’s prison roommate, and Kurt Kennedy, Romy’s stalker. The women’s perspectives ( Romy and Fernandez) are told in first person, while all of the male perspectives are in a close third. Every character gives us reason to doubt their reliability, yet since the story is set in a women’s prison, it mostly speaks to how the burden of proof is placed more heavily on women. There are plenty of women who have committed heinous crimes and are not rehabilitated, however, even those who have served their time or who may not have been given a fair trial, are treated without mercy. No one is ever considered innocent or healed, if they are branded a criminal.
It’s impossible to read The Mars Room and not compare it to Orange is the New Black. I consider this both a valid comparison and also a compliment. Both show empathy towards women trapped in cycles of poverty and abuse, often the very reasons that they wind up in the prison system. Both show a diversity in characters and circumstances. Both hold a mirror to society and make us consider a broken system, a system that most people who are not caught up in it, would like to ignore because the suffering is upsetting. Our lack of empathy is inhumane and thus, easier to ignore.
The biggest strength in The Mars Room is Kusher’s powerhouse narrative and unique voice. The writing is cutting and observant with intense pacing and intriguing characters. I purchased The Mars Room several years ago at Powell’s Books in Portland. It is a book that I picked up based on the cover art and title, simply pulled towards it, and I bought it without even reading the back cover. I do this sometimes, just grab a book based on a gut feeling. The Mars Room really paid off and I can’t believe that I allowed it to sit on my TBR shelf for over two years without diving in!
The Mars Room is gritty, not for the faint of heart. Kusher’s words and characters will linger in your thoughts long after you read the final sentence. It’s impactful, affecting, and highly recommended!
