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My Story: Schapelle Corby: Fully Revised and Updated Since Her Release and Return Home
Schapelle Corby walked out of Kerobokan Prison in 2014, leaving behind a dark hellhole of violence, corruption, and squalor, and straight into a global media circus. She had been Hotel K's most famous inmate.
Schapelle was a 27-year-old beauty-school student when, in 2004, Bali customs officers found 4.2 kilograms of marijuana in her boogie-board bag. She was convicted of a crime she still vehemently denies committing.
She spent ten years in Hotel K, where she survived unimaginable horrors, corrupt guards, degrading conditions, and abuse at the hands of other prisoners, but also, amazingly, found the love of her life - a love that still burns strong.
In this revised and updated edition of My Story, first published in 2006, Schapelle describes her descent into madness, and finding her way back, the chaos of her release, the trials of surviving outside on parole and, eventually, her dramatic return to Australia, all the while hounded mercilessly by the media.
This is the first time since 2006 that Schapelle has spoken, driven by a determination to show she has emerged, scarred, but with her dignity, humour and courage intact.
Written with bestselling author Kathryn Bonella, this is a deeply unsettling but utterly compelling tale of what should have been a holiday in paradise but instead turned into 13 years of living hell. You won't be able to put it down.
Schapelle was a 27-year-old beauty-school student when, in 2004, Bali customs officers found 4.2 kilograms of marijuana in her boogie-board bag. She was convicted of a crime she still vehemently denies committing.
She spent ten years in Hotel K, where she survived unimaginable horrors, corrupt guards, degrading conditions, and abuse at the hands of other prisoners, but also, amazingly, found the love of her life - a love that still burns strong.
In this revised and updated edition of My Story, first published in 2006, Schapelle describes her descent into madness, and finding her way back, the chaos of her release, the trials of surviving outside on parole and, eventually, her dramatic return to Australia, all the while hounded mercilessly by the media.
This is the first time since 2006 that Schapelle has spoken, driven by a determination to show she has emerged, scarred, but with her dignity, humour and courage intact.
Written with bestselling author Kathryn Bonella, this is a deeply unsettling but utterly compelling tale of what should have been a holiday in paradise but instead turned into 13 years of living hell. You won't be able to put it down.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2019
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August 16, 2022
I first heard about Schapelle Corby's arrest in 2005 I believe, thanks to the HBO documentary "Ganja Queen" (a popular nickname used for her by the Indonesian press). The documentary was absolutely insane - the crowd surrounding this 28 year old girl who had gone to Indonesia (where her older sister had lived with her husband) on holiday was being swarmed by the paparazzi in a way only comparable to the 2007-2008 years of Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. It was a complete madhouse and the worst part of it? She wasn't a celebrity dealing with what certainly constitutes as extreme harassment and lack of privacy. It's unfair to celebrities with actual talent, as yes, being a public figure does unfortunately amount to some loss of privacy - but obviously there is such a thing as going too far (as for the reality stars and social media idiots, they ask for it. Literally. So stop complaining when you get exactly what you want).
No, she was neither a celebrity with talent nor someone famous for being famous. Rather, she was a scared young woman on trial for her LIFE. Her charge? Allegedly sneaking 6.5 ounces of marijuana through the Australian airports into Indonesia. Before I elaborate a little more, let me explain why I am certain of her innocence: first of all, she's traveling to a country that is known for implementing the death penalty against those that traffic drugs into its borders. I have extreme doubts that she would risk her life for this; and for marijuana - basically the cheapest drug to sell. Not only that, she had no connections on the island but for her sister and husband - who everyone on the island town (Bali) KNEW were not drug dealers, nor associated with drug dealers/users.
It gets far more ridiculous than lack of motive. If she appeared to have an IQ of 60, maybe I'd think her stupid enough to put a entire plastic baggie filled with marijuana the size of her boogie board in the VERY FRONT of the boogie board bag; making it clearly visible to anyone checking bags. You'd bring bigger pieces of luggage, and you'd break it down as much as you could to hide it in between things or in spots that a rushed security guard at luggage check-in might not have the time to search.
Also, when she gets to Bali, she notices that the handle was ripped off her bag. This is bizarre to me on HER end of it all. If you'd noticed that your luggage not only had the handle ripped off, but, as she also mentions, was zipped shut in the center (when she always zips to the side), wouldn't you open it and check to see what was going on? Not necessarily because you'd thought someone had planted drugs in there. But because you'd be freaked out someone had gone through your suitcase and stolen things. At the very least, you would wonder why it was tampered with and look. But no, instead she goes to join her friends. Anyway. She really doesn't need the criticism so I'll stop; just found that strange.
It is after this when her nightmare begins: she is on her way to join her friends past the gate when she is stopped by an Indonesian baggage checker. Again: if it truly was her marijuana in this bag, why would she just merrily waltz up to the baggage check and unzip the suitcase right in front of the airport checker/security guard? If she knew drugs were in there, she would have either left the bag before reaching the guard (thus not allowing him to check it) or she would have try to bolt - with or without the bag. I'm pretty sure NO ONE would just stand there while the bag was being opened, knowing that drugs would be the first thing the guard would see.
Getting a little more into the story: there are people who think she's guilty (I'm not exactly sure why or what proof they offer) and those people fall into two camps: those who believe she's guilty but that the punishment far exceeds the crime (and as such, have sympathy for her) and the second camp: the people who believe she's guilty and even though the punishment may be extreme, that she "knew the laws of the country" and should have followed them. Wow. Here was a young girl just going on a fun beach holiday, and the result? 10 years in a disgusting, third-world prison (after being pardoned by the Indonesian president; she was to serve 20!). Initially she was facing the death penalty (death by firing squad). And people have the nerve to say she deserved it!
Her defense team was completely inept from the beginning. I don't know if she ever asked for a new trial because of an incompetent defense, but I don't believe so. Even if she had, I *highly* doubt the court would have granted it to her. They wanted to show the world that they not only didn't tolerate drug crime (since drug use was rampant in Bali) - they especially wanted to make an example out of westerners traveling to their country that were supposedly bringing drugs with them.
Examples of their ineptness? Her female lawyer (I think she later learned she wasn't even a licensed lawyer) cried the entire time. No, seriously. A criminal case where your client doesn't understand a word that the judge or prosecution is saying about you, and your attorney is CRYING. When, as Corby mentions in the book, she's supposed to be leaping from her seat; objecting, making arguments for her client. Insisting that the burden of proof is on the prosecution and they had no real concrete evidence aside from hearsay (well, the burden of proof being on the prosecution may not be the case in Indonesian law, but still, I imagine they're supposed to furnish SOME proof in order to convict someone). It seems she was very unlucky and also more than a little naive (which I believe she herself admits to) with the people she let into her life during that period, the people she allowed on her defense team. All of them seemed to care little for Schapelle's welfare, and much more about the publicity and money they'd make off their famous client.
I'm honestly not sure if the defense team did anything to try to help her. Schapelle mentions how easy it would have been for them to compare the weight of her bag when she left the airport in Sydney (the last time the bag was in her hands) and the weight when the bag was checked into Bali (right before it reached her hands again). If there was a 6.5 oz. discrepancy, it would have proved her innocence immediately. Apparently her defense team did ask the Australian airport for this info, but they claimed something about the "computers being down that day." When it was requested that the Australian or Indonesian airports provide proof of the contents of the bag (given that your luggage is X-Rayed for security purposes) - again, her request was denied at first, then later, she was told conflicting stories. First, that there were no cameras - then, "there were cameras, but they were down that day." It's unbelievable. Everyone was lying about everything, her defense was doing nothing to help her, so the belief that the airport lied is entirely plausible, as is the belief that her defense may not have even asked the airport for this info.
Also keep in mind that this was not even a full 3 years after 9/11, so it was especially embarrassing for Australia to admit to such lax security at their airports. Who would want to fly on Australian airlines when people could mess with your baggage - when terrorists could carry anything they wanted onto the plane? Or likely even worse for public opinion - who would want to fly Australia's airlines upon the realization that the same fate that befell Schapelle Corby could also happen to them?
To add to this insanity, apparently drug trafficking out of Australian airports had been a major problem in the past few months - many of the baggage handlers were the ones doing the trafficking, and they'd easily get jobs in the same baggage claim groups, making it easier to coordinate the smuggling of drugs into unsuspecting passenger luggage. The Australian police kept the entire investigation a secret, embarrassed by their inefficiency. As I just mentioned in the prior paragraph, the airport had a reason to keep it secret as well - it's every human being's worst nightmare. Being falsely accused of a crime that puts you on Death Row. And for Schapelle, it nearly happened. But instead, nope - it just took away a decade of some of the best years of her life.
The verdict had already been announced when the news of the Australian drug smuggling at airports story was released, and as I mentioned earlier, the head judges, the other judges, and the prosecutors were very keen to dismiss anything beneficial to Schapelle's defense - so they never would have reopened it. But she could have had a great chance to walk free had the Australian authorities actually called and accepted responsibility for the lax security at their airports.
I actually read the first book she published right after she received her guilty verdict - I believe that book was published in 2006? So this deals with the bulk of her sentence, being pardoned in 2014, living for 4 years or so on parole in Bali (I'm shocked they didn't throw her back in prison for some arbitrary or completely made up reason!), coming home to Australia in around 2018, and coping with life outside prison.
She ends up suffering horrible PTSD (unsurprisingly). This book is a shockingly truthful and disturbing memoir of a nightmare-turned-reality, your average young woman stuck in a third world prison living those horrors, being exploited by everyone around her. While at the same time, being viewed under a public microscope by Indonesian and Australian journalists who can only be described as leeches. It didn't matter if she was going to court to find out if the prosecution was recommending the death sentence. It didn't matter if she was going to visit a psychologist or to a mental facility because she'd had a complete and total nervous breakdown. It didn't matter that the reason for her breakdown was primarily because the press was taking shots of her at all hours of the day and night (even the guards and inmates were getting paid to sneak shots of her). The photographers still aggressively and relentlessly took photos of her each time she left the prison. Even her "confidential" visit to a psychiatrist was released (by the psychiatrist!) to the press, summing up the most intimate details of her deteriorated mental state.
It's no wonder the poor girl is afraid of cameras and being photographed.
In the end, this remained a heartbreaking tale for me - but still had a silver lining. It showed just how much her family loved her and rallied for her innocence and release. Her older sister Mercedes (who was planning to move back to Australia after the holiday in 2004) stayed with her the ENTIRE time, often spending hours in the jail with her, constantly bringing her food and anything she asked for or needed. If it weren't for her sister, I imagine she'd still be in prison today - for it was her sister that wrote the Indonesian president on Schapelle's behalf, and secured her a pardon.
Highly recommend to anyone, but as others have mentioned - it truly is brutally honest and the trauma she endured so awful, that it could easily traumatize readers to an extent. I wish her all the best for the rest of her life. She deserves it, and all the luck in the world - after more than a decade of being the world's unluckiest girl.
(I really need to work on making my reviews a bit more succinct - but I'll make an exception for this one, because this story truly has touched me and stayed with me now for about 17 years!)
No, she was neither a celebrity with talent nor someone famous for being famous. Rather, she was a scared young woman on trial for her LIFE. Her charge? Allegedly sneaking 6.5 ounces of marijuana through the Australian airports into Indonesia. Before I elaborate a little more, let me explain why I am certain of her innocence: first of all, she's traveling to a country that is known for implementing the death penalty against those that traffic drugs into its borders. I have extreme doubts that she would risk her life for this; and for marijuana - basically the cheapest drug to sell. Not only that, she had no connections on the island but for her sister and husband - who everyone on the island town (Bali) KNEW were not drug dealers, nor associated with drug dealers/users.
It gets far more ridiculous than lack of motive. If she appeared to have an IQ of 60, maybe I'd think her stupid enough to put a entire plastic baggie filled with marijuana the size of her boogie board in the VERY FRONT of the boogie board bag; making it clearly visible to anyone checking bags. You'd bring bigger pieces of luggage, and you'd break it down as much as you could to hide it in between things or in spots that a rushed security guard at luggage check-in might not have the time to search.
Also, when she gets to Bali, she notices that the handle was ripped off her bag. This is bizarre to me on HER end of it all. If you'd noticed that your luggage not only had the handle ripped off, but, as she also mentions, was zipped shut in the center (when she always zips to the side), wouldn't you open it and check to see what was going on? Not necessarily because you'd thought someone had planted drugs in there. But because you'd be freaked out someone had gone through your suitcase and stolen things. At the very least, you would wonder why it was tampered with and look. But no, instead she goes to join her friends. Anyway. She really doesn't need the criticism so I'll stop; just found that strange.
It is after this when her nightmare begins: she is on her way to join her friends past the gate when she is stopped by an Indonesian baggage checker. Again: if it truly was her marijuana in this bag, why would she just merrily waltz up to the baggage check and unzip the suitcase right in front of the airport checker/security guard? If she knew drugs were in there, she would have either left the bag before reaching the guard (thus not allowing him to check it) or she would have try to bolt - with or without the bag. I'm pretty sure NO ONE would just stand there while the bag was being opened, knowing that drugs would be the first thing the guard would see.
Getting a little more into the story: there are people who think she's guilty (I'm not exactly sure why or what proof they offer) and those people fall into two camps: those who believe she's guilty but that the punishment far exceeds the crime (and as such, have sympathy for her) and the second camp: the people who believe she's guilty and even though the punishment may be extreme, that she "knew the laws of the country" and should have followed them. Wow. Here was a young girl just going on a fun beach holiday, and the result? 10 years in a disgusting, third-world prison (after being pardoned by the Indonesian president; she was to serve 20!). Initially she was facing the death penalty (death by firing squad). And people have the nerve to say she deserved it!
Her defense team was completely inept from the beginning. I don't know if she ever asked for a new trial because of an incompetent defense, but I don't believe so. Even if she had, I *highly* doubt the court would have granted it to her. They wanted to show the world that they not only didn't tolerate drug crime (since drug use was rampant in Bali) - they especially wanted to make an example out of westerners traveling to their country that were supposedly bringing drugs with them.
Examples of their ineptness? Her female lawyer (I think she later learned she wasn't even a licensed lawyer) cried the entire time. No, seriously. A criminal case where your client doesn't understand a word that the judge or prosecution is saying about you, and your attorney is CRYING. When, as Corby mentions in the book, she's supposed to be leaping from her seat; objecting, making arguments for her client. Insisting that the burden of proof is on the prosecution and they had no real concrete evidence aside from hearsay (well, the burden of proof being on the prosecution may not be the case in Indonesian law, but still, I imagine they're supposed to furnish SOME proof in order to convict someone). It seems she was very unlucky and also more than a little naive (which I believe she herself admits to) with the people she let into her life during that period, the people she allowed on her defense team. All of them seemed to care little for Schapelle's welfare, and much more about the publicity and money they'd make off their famous client.
I'm honestly not sure if the defense team did anything to try to help her. Schapelle mentions how easy it would have been for them to compare the weight of her bag when she left the airport in Sydney (the last time the bag was in her hands) and the weight when the bag was checked into Bali (right before it reached her hands again). If there was a 6.5 oz. discrepancy, it would have proved her innocence immediately. Apparently her defense team did ask the Australian airport for this info, but they claimed something about the "computers being down that day." When it was requested that the Australian or Indonesian airports provide proof of the contents of the bag (given that your luggage is X-Rayed for security purposes) - again, her request was denied at first, then later, she was told conflicting stories. First, that there were no cameras - then, "there were cameras, but they were down that day." It's unbelievable. Everyone was lying about everything, her defense was doing nothing to help her, so the belief that the airport lied is entirely plausible, as is the belief that her defense may not have even asked the airport for this info.
Also keep in mind that this was not even a full 3 years after 9/11, so it was especially embarrassing for Australia to admit to such lax security at their airports. Who would want to fly on Australian airlines when people could mess with your baggage - when terrorists could carry anything they wanted onto the plane? Or likely even worse for public opinion - who would want to fly Australia's airlines upon the realization that the same fate that befell Schapelle Corby could also happen to them?
To add to this insanity, apparently drug trafficking out of Australian airports had been a major problem in the past few months - many of the baggage handlers were the ones doing the trafficking, and they'd easily get jobs in the same baggage claim groups, making it easier to coordinate the smuggling of drugs into unsuspecting passenger luggage. The Australian police kept the entire investigation a secret, embarrassed by their inefficiency. As I just mentioned in the prior paragraph, the airport had a reason to keep it secret as well - it's every human being's worst nightmare. Being falsely accused of a crime that puts you on Death Row. And for Schapelle, it nearly happened. But instead, nope - it just took away a decade of some of the best years of her life.
The verdict had already been announced when the news of the Australian drug smuggling at airports story was released, and as I mentioned earlier, the head judges, the other judges, and the prosecutors were very keen to dismiss anything beneficial to Schapelle's defense - so they never would have reopened it. But she could have had a great chance to walk free had the Australian authorities actually called and accepted responsibility for the lax security at their airports.
I actually read the first book she published right after she received her guilty verdict - I believe that book was published in 2006? So this deals with the bulk of her sentence, being pardoned in 2014, living for 4 years or so on parole in Bali (I'm shocked they didn't throw her back in prison for some arbitrary or completely made up reason!), coming home to Australia in around 2018, and coping with life outside prison.
She ends up suffering horrible PTSD (unsurprisingly). This book is a shockingly truthful and disturbing memoir of a nightmare-turned-reality, your average young woman stuck in a third world prison living those horrors, being exploited by everyone around her. While at the same time, being viewed under a public microscope by Indonesian and Australian journalists who can only be described as leeches. It didn't matter if she was going to court to find out if the prosecution was recommending the death sentence. It didn't matter if she was going to visit a psychologist or to a mental facility because she'd had a complete and total nervous breakdown. It didn't matter that the reason for her breakdown was primarily because the press was taking shots of her at all hours of the day and night (even the guards and inmates were getting paid to sneak shots of her). The photographers still aggressively and relentlessly took photos of her each time she left the prison. Even her "confidential" visit to a psychiatrist was released (by the psychiatrist!) to the press, summing up the most intimate details of her deteriorated mental state.
It's no wonder the poor girl is afraid of cameras and being photographed.
In the end, this remained a heartbreaking tale for me - but still had a silver lining. It showed just how much her family loved her and rallied for her innocence and release. Her older sister Mercedes (who was planning to move back to Australia after the holiday in 2004) stayed with her the ENTIRE time, often spending hours in the jail with her, constantly bringing her food and anything she asked for or needed. If it weren't for her sister, I imagine she'd still be in prison today - for it was her sister that wrote the Indonesian president on Schapelle's behalf, and secured her a pardon.
Highly recommend to anyone, but as others have mentioned - it truly is brutally honest and the trauma she endured so awful, that it could easily traumatize readers to an extent. I wish her all the best for the rest of her life. She deserves it, and all the luck in the world - after more than a decade of being the world's unluckiest girl.
(I really need to work on making my reviews a bit more succinct - but I'll make an exception for this one, because this story truly has touched me and stayed with me now for about 17 years!)
November 27, 2019
I always was on the wagon that she is guilty, my heart broke for her but I thought she was guilty.... after reading her book I’m not so sure, reminds you that there is always 2 sides to very story and don’t be so quick to judge.... I now believe that it’s a huge possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrongs time!
November 21, 2019
I think she’s fascinating. So really, I’m just as bad as all the snap-happy paparazzi she complains about in this book. At this stage, it probably doesn’t really matter whether or not she was guilty, or what you believe about her. This is a clear and generally interesting account of a bunch of stuff that happened (according to Schapelle Corby).
September 13, 2020
This is a very graphic account of Schapelle’s time in jail, not for the faint hearted but an incredible read.
This caught me off guard I never thought I would feel so much compassion for Schapelle as I do after listening to this audio. I always thought she was guilty of putting the Marijuana in her boogie board bag but now I’m not so sure. The media really did a number on Schapelle and portrayed her in such a bad way and we totally believed it! There were so many discrepancies from the airport baggage checks and lies made up to cover mistakes made by authorities as well as reporters making wild accusations and crazy headlines just to get a ‘story’ and all for the dollars, shame on you media!
The squalor conditions of the jail cells and the stench described made my stomach churn it literally was a hell hole! The things that go on in Hotel K and the way prisoners are treated is appalling and what Schapelle had to endure would have pushed anyone over the edge it just infuriated me, no one deserves that treatment NO ONE! What happened to innocent until proven guilty??? And where was the help from our Australian Government!
I cannot believe the frenzied reporters who constantly hounded and chased Corby, leaving her with bruises from all the pushing and shoving and getting trampled on what a nightmare! Guards and police were also in on the publicity stunts taking pictures and selling info to the reporters she just couldn’t trust anyone. The more I learnt the more my anxiety levels went up I’m not surprised Schapelle suffered with paranoia and mental health issues after suffering for 10 years in that despicable place.
The way this case was handled was a joke, evidence was tampered with, lies made up, there were translating problems in court and in documents which was a huge issue. The lawyers representing Corby were found later to not even be qualified it was just one disaster after another I could just keep going here! The only good thing was her amazing sister Mercedes who never gave up on her and was by her side constantly even staying with her in the jail cell when she was catatonic!! I felt exhausted just listening to the never ending battle they endured of a corrupt system fighting a loosing battle.
I am amazed that Schapelle managed to get through all this with bravery and humility good for her, I just hope she gets some peace now and the media leave her alone to live her life.
Definitely worth reading or listening to on the audio it’s a real eye opener and a very tragic story whether your a fan or not of Schapelle it will certainly challenge you, there are always two sides to a story! Whether guilty or not this is still heartbreaking💔
This caught me off guard I never thought I would feel so much compassion for Schapelle as I do after listening to this audio. I always thought she was guilty of putting the Marijuana in her boogie board bag but now I’m not so sure. The media really did a number on Schapelle and portrayed her in such a bad way and we totally believed it! There were so many discrepancies from the airport baggage checks and lies made up to cover mistakes made by authorities as well as reporters making wild accusations and crazy headlines just to get a ‘story’ and all for the dollars, shame on you media!
The squalor conditions of the jail cells and the stench described made my stomach churn it literally was a hell hole! The things that go on in Hotel K and the way prisoners are treated is appalling and what Schapelle had to endure would have pushed anyone over the edge it just infuriated me, no one deserves that treatment NO ONE! What happened to innocent until proven guilty??? And where was the help from our Australian Government!
I cannot believe the frenzied reporters who constantly hounded and chased Corby, leaving her with bruises from all the pushing and shoving and getting trampled on what a nightmare! Guards and police were also in on the publicity stunts taking pictures and selling info to the reporters she just couldn’t trust anyone. The more I learnt the more my anxiety levels went up I’m not surprised Schapelle suffered with paranoia and mental health issues after suffering for 10 years in that despicable place.
The way this case was handled was a joke, evidence was tampered with, lies made up, there were translating problems in court and in documents which was a huge issue. The lawyers representing Corby were found later to not even be qualified it was just one disaster after another I could just keep going here! The only good thing was her amazing sister Mercedes who never gave up on her and was by her side constantly even staying with her in the jail cell when she was catatonic!! I felt exhausted just listening to the never ending battle they endured of a corrupt system fighting a loosing battle.
I am amazed that Schapelle managed to get through all this with bravery and humility good for her, I just hope she gets some peace now and the media leave her alone to live her life.
Definitely worth reading or listening to on the audio it’s a real eye opener and a very tragic story whether your a fan or not of Schapelle it will certainly challenge you, there are always two sides to a story! Whether guilty or not this is still heartbreaking💔
April 7, 2020
My Story by Schapelle Corby was first published in 2006 but later revised and updated since her return home to Australia after her release. This autobiography is a very engaging text, in which reveals her life in prison including the events that occurred before and after her imprisonment.
It includes details of the horrific treatment and experiences in Hotel k (Kerobokan Prison), her awful experience with the media, trips to court, her intriguing experience coming home and how she was found with the marijuana in the airport.
This book is eyeopening and will leave you completely shocked and speechless after reading. The media's perspective of the whole prison time and how it happened is so completely different to what actually occurred. The recounts of how the media treated her and the false news that they spread really makes you feel sorry for Schapelle, considering that the media always prides themselves on having 'the facts', it is heartbreaking to see the impact that they had on Schapelle because of the incorrect information being published.
The way that the guards treated the inmates at Hotel K was disgusting and something that I never had of expected. Whilst in prison Schapelle had seen quite a lot of awful things that are sure to stick with her for the rest of her life. In prison she also suffered through a very bad mental health battle in which a couple of times she nearly lost to. The media had a big play on this battle as she grew a phobia of cameras, Schapelle became completely paranoid about any whole in the wall thinking that someone was using it to spy on her whether it be the media, guards or inmates trying to get a snap of her.
Whilst this book has some gruesome context, which is to be expected when reading about someones life in prison, it is very intriguing and informative about Schapelle Corby's experience in jail. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading an engaging autobiography or for an enjoyable book.
It includes details of the horrific treatment and experiences in Hotel k (Kerobokan Prison), her awful experience with the media, trips to court, her intriguing experience coming home and how she was found with the marijuana in the airport.
This book is eyeopening and will leave you completely shocked and speechless after reading. The media's perspective of the whole prison time and how it happened is so completely different to what actually occurred. The recounts of how the media treated her and the false news that they spread really makes you feel sorry for Schapelle, considering that the media always prides themselves on having 'the facts', it is heartbreaking to see the impact that they had on Schapelle because of the incorrect information being published.
The way that the guards treated the inmates at Hotel K was disgusting and something that I never had of expected. Whilst in prison Schapelle had seen quite a lot of awful things that are sure to stick with her for the rest of her life. In prison she also suffered through a very bad mental health battle in which a couple of times she nearly lost to. The media had a big play on this battle as she grew a phobia of cameras, Schapelle became completely paranoid about any whole in the wall thinking that someone was using it to spy on her whether it be the media, guards or inmates trying to get a snap of her.
Whilst this book has some gruesome context, which is to be expected when reading about someones life in prison, it is very intriguing and informative about Schapelle Corby's experience in jail. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading an engaging autobiography or for an enjoyable book.
March 18, 2020
Well written and engaging book. I just got through the audio book.
I was in high school when Schapelle Corby's case was popular and I thought she was guilty. Having read this book, the thing that kept going through my mind is disgust at the media for constantly profiting out of lies. Reminded me of a book I read before called "Trust me I'm lying, Confessions of Media Manipulator" by Ryan Holiday.
So the big lesson for the average person, who is a consumer of media: no matter how much you like or dislike the person or their background, religion, looks it's only fair to hear their side of the story too. Till then, don't be quick to make a decision. In today's social media age, a lot of us act like experts on an issue that we only have one sided information on.
As for Schapelle, she has been through a lot, I hope she is given the space to live a normal life and wish her all the best.
I was in high school when Schapelle Corby's case was popular and I thought she was guilty. Having read this book, the thing that kept going through my mind is disgust at the media for constantly profiting out of lies. Reminded me of a book I read before called "Trust me I'm lying, Confessions of Media Manipulator" by Ryan Holiday.
So the big lesson for the average person, who is a consumer of media: no matter how much you like or dislike the person or their background, religion, looks it's only fair to hear their side of the story too. Till then, don't be quick to make a decision. In today's social media age, a lot of us act like experts on an issue that we only have one sided information on.
As for Schapelle, she has been through a lot, I hope she is given the space to live a normal life and wish her all the best.
Read
December 17, 2024Read because I really can't read anymore. I feel imprisoned by this book's words, voices, squalor, pleas and desperation just run its own rampage. I do feel for what she went through though like her or don't like her.
May 19, 2025
It was interesting to hear Schapelle’s story in her own words. However there were some particular comments that she made throughout the book about Balinese people that were a bit racist. Definitely also a hard read because there is some very upsetting subject matter.
January 19, 2025
I’m sorry I doubted you Schapelle
July 31, 2021
I know Schapelle Corby is as guilty as - I was at the airport on the day in question & remember clearly what I saw - Schapelle arrived at the counter with her half brother with surf board in tow - each of them were holding the board by an end which had a big bulge in the middle & they both lifted it up onto the carousel together & then she gave her half brother a big smile & nodded her head as if to say "job well done"!!! I remember thinking I wonder what is in the bag. Also it is believed she hung back at Bali airport to meet the Customs guy to allow her to go thru with it as was always the case but he was sick on the day which is why she got caught red handed. She had been a courier with drugs for many years but finally got caught but unlike others was set free when she should have had the death penalty. Her family were all in on it but were shocked when she finally got caught. She is just a compulsive liar and was in total denial. She was definitely a good actor in denying everything, just like in the movies.
March 6, 2020
Guilty or not...Schapelle Corby went though hell in Kerobokan. This book is a no holding back real life story of life in a third world country. Where corruption is rife, medical care basically doesn’t exist, and people are relentless.
February 19, 2020
Did she or didn’t she?
Still on the fence
Still on the fence
May 16, 2022
‘My story’ or ‘the lies we tell ourselves’. I came away believing less than I did before.
September 8, 2024
Would give a 3.5, alas not an option.
August 23, 2020
• My Story- Schapelle Corby •
•
Ok, I am not really sure how to review this one. The number one question surrounding Schapelle Corby is “Did she do it?”. I have always thought she was innocent, we all had one Peterson at school who said “I know her neighbours brothers daughter who knows the family and she definitely did it” 🙄 I don’t believe she did and after reading this, I believe that even more but that is my personal opinion •
•
Corruption. There is so much corruption surrounding the events covered in this book, I read the revised version which was updated since Corby’s release and return home. The corruption started when first searched in the airport, Corby had multiple bags checked under her name (two of them being her friends who she was travelling with) but none of the bags were searched, even Corby doesn’t know if her actual bag was searched, only the boogie board bag. The two friends bags were released straight away and able to be taken with their owners, however, if they had checked the baggage receipt they would’ve known that the bags were all together and upon weighing them would see that they did not carry the same weight as they did when they were checked. Then comes the authorities selling photos and information to the authorities, even in parole meetings, Corby was never drug tested but instead asked tabloid questions such as “are you pregnant?” And “do you want a Balinese husband?”. The media in Indonesia was one thing and was almost to be expected but the vultures that are the media here in Australia were just as bad with their endless stalking and harassment of Corby and her family. •
•
Mercedes Corby would have to be the most supportive sister who fought for Schapelle and when her mental health was at its worse would stay in hospital for days with her, bathing and feeding her. Her whole family were such rocks that i had tears in my mind reading about it. •
•
I really enjoyed this book and found it interesting reading about it Corby’s story and even a glimpse into the story of the Bali 9 and Hotel K. Obviously, there will always be doubt but I hope the day comes that Corby can officially clear her name. •
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•
Ok, I am not really sure how to review this one. The number one question surrounding Schapelle Corby is “Did she do it?”. I have always thought she was innocent, we all had one Peterson at school who said “I know her neighbours brothers daughter who knows the family and she definitely did it” 🙄 I don’t believe she did and after reading this, I believe that even more but that is my personal opinion •
•
Corruption. There is so much corruption surrounding the events covered in this book, I read the revised version which was updated since Corby’s release and return home. The corruption started when first searched in the airport, Corby had multiple bags checked under her name (two of them being her friends who she was travelling with) but none of the bags were searched, even Corby doesn’t know if her actual bag was searched, only the boogie board bag. The two friends bags were released straight away and able to be taken with their owners, however, if they had checked the baggage receipt they would’ve known that the bags were all together and upon weighing them would see that they did not carry the same weight as they did when they were checked. Then comes the authorities selling photos and information to the authorities, even in parole meetings, Corby was never drug tested but instead asked tabloid questions such as “are you pregnant?” And “do you want a Balinese husband?”. The media in Indonesia was one thing and was almost to be expected but the vultures that are the media here in Australia were just as bad with their endless stalking and harassment of Corby and her family. •
•
Mercedes Corby would have to be the most supportive sister who fought for Schapelle and when her mental health was at its worse would stay in hospital for days with her, bathing and feeding her. Her whole family were such rocks that i had tears in my mind reading about it. •
•
I really enjoyed this book and found it interesting reading about it Corby’s story and even a glimpse into the story of the Bali 9 and Hotel K. Obviously, there will always be doubt but I hope the day comes that Corby can officially clear her name. •
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
For many years, I have awed at this book, and this last Christmas, I was gifted her revised version and I cannot express how amazing this read was. The way it was written, had me smelling the cells and the overflowing sewerage system, feeling the Bali humidity on my skin, and had me hearing "Skelpel" at odd times of the day. I had burst of anxiety throughout this read, start to finish, it was rather exhausting, to be honest. When Corby had diarrhea, my guts were also brewing up something nasty. I commend her efforts in staying strong throughout this entire order because if it were me, I would have died from profound dehydration. All 5 senses were treated by her great storytelling gift.
This has opened my views on how lucky we are, as Australians, to have some sort of dignity within the prison sections. The things I read, we truly horrifying and disgusting, I cannot fathom how corrupt the guards and police force were towards a tourist. I'm still kidding myself that this is all fake but in the pit of my cold, little heart, I know this does happen.
I highly recommend turning this book into a drinking game, take a shot whenever Lily cried, when her mum cleaned the toilet, when she filled up her bucket or when Corby was backstabbed by the media, her lawyers, and the police, and you'll be in for a good time, give or take the alcohol poisoning but all exciting things anyway.
Throughout the book, my heart filled up when Mercedes was mentioned. If I have anything to take away from this book, it is to not bring drugs into a country via a boogie board and to be more like Merc. She's a legend and we stan a queen.
I am Yasshole, and this is my book review.
This has opened my views on how lucky we are, as Australians, to have some sort of dignity within the prison sections. The things I read, we truly horrifying and disgusting, I cannot fathom how corrupt the guards and police force were towards a tourist. I'm still kidding myself that this is all fake but in the pit of my cold, little heart, I know this does happen.
I highly recommend turning this book into a drinking game, take a shot whenever Lily cried, when her mum cleaned the toilet, when she filled up her bucket or when Corby was backstabbed by the media, her lawyers, and the police, and you'll be in for a good time, give or take the alcohol poisoning but all exciting things anyway.
Throughout the book, my heart filled up when Mercedes was mentioned. If I have anything to take away from this book, it is to not bring drugs into a country via a boogie board and to be more like Merc. She's a legend and we stan a queen.
I am Yasshole, and this is my book review.
April 27, 2025
The first thing you need to know about me is I am delusional and a sucker for the “but did they really do it” stories. So I’m not going to comment on whether or not I think she did it, but I will say it feels like there is a complete lack of acceptance for the situation she finds herself in (whether she did it or not), or personal growth over the 14 years that the memoir spans.
While her experiences have obviously caused lasting psychological trauma, there is a notable absence of reflection or emotional evolution throughout the book. Instead, Corby’s narrative maintains a consistent tone of outrage and victimization. Her descriptions of other prisoners often carry a sense of privilege and superiority, and there is a noticeable lack of compassion for those around her, with little effort made to humanize or understand others in similar or worse circumstances. While her celebrity status made some aspects of her imprisonment worse than others, there’s a complete lack of reflection for the benefits and privileges that it also afforded her.
Although My Story may resonate with readers sympathetic to Corby’s plight or those looking to understand the impacts of sustained media frenzy on individuals, those seeking deeper introspection or growth from her experience may find it disappointing. The memoir serves more as an extension of Corby’s original defense rather than an exploration of resilience, transformation, acceptance or an opportunity to be a spokesperson for the criminal justice system that she claims failed her.
3.75 stars because I did find it interesting, engaging and easy to get through.
While her experiences have obviously caused lasting psychological trauma, there is a notable absence of reflection or emotional evolution throughout the book. Instead, Corby’s narrative maintains a consistent tone of outrage and victimization. Her descriptions of other prisoners often carry a sense of privilege and superiority, and there is a noticeable lack of compassion for those around her, with little effort made to humanize or understand others in similar or worse circumstances. While her celebrity status made some aspects of her imprisonment worse than others, there’s a complete lack of reflection for the benefits and privileges that it also afforded her.
Although My Story may resonate with readers sympathetic to Corby’s plight or those looking to understand the impacts of sustained media frenzy on individuals, those seeking deeper introspection or growth from her experience may find it disappointing. The memoir serves more as an extension of Corby’s original defense rather than an exploration of resilience, transformation, acceptance or an opportunity to be a spokesperson for the criminal justice system that she claims failed her.
3.75 stars because I did find it interesting, engaging and easy to get through.
March 24, 2022
Isn’t life strange? If Schapelle Corby had been called Jane Smith and was a plain Jane to boot, the public’s attention would have been considerably less I suspect.
She did not deserve the treatment she received in that stinking prison but what a survivor! We only have two choices in life: sink or swim, and swim she did.
The book portrays a different woman to the one I grew to know from television and print media over the years. I found Schapelle to be a likeable young person in her book although she may not have had a very conventional life (and that was before the prison sentence) with spasmodic work experiences, all traditional possibilities disappeared with the boogie board disaster.
I never believed she was that dumb to try to smuggle the marijuana in to Indonesia but that is just an opinion - I am as curious to know the truth as the next person. I think she had a strong case for being pronounced innocent which is demonstrated quite clearly in the story. The account highlights the problems that Corby never surmounted - bad advice, too much media attention and lack of money for defence were just a few.
Anyone who smuggles illegal products is a risk taker but often they are letting someone else take the risk of being penalised. The instigator is just risking losing a return on an investment. So many scenarios but only one was listened to by the authorities.
I read this book in one sitting and I think the best lesson a story like this teaches is that a life is a life no matter how it pans out. I recommend it - a good read!
She did not deserve the treatment she received in that stinking prison but what a survivor! We only have two choices in life: sink or swim, and swim she did.
The book portrays a different woman to the one I grew to know from television and print media over the years. I found Schapelle to be a likeable young person in her book although she may not have had a very conventional life (and that was before the prison sentence) with spasmodic work experiences, all traditional possibilities disappeared with the boogie board disaster.
I never believed she was that dumb to try to smuggle the marijuana in to Indonesia but that is just an opinion - I am as curious to know the truth as the next person. I think she had a strong case for being pronounced innocent which is demonstrated quite clearly in the story. The account highlights the problems that Corby never surmounted - bad advice, too much media attention and lack of money for defence were just a few.
Anyone who smuggles illegal products is a risk taker but often they are letting someone else take the risk of being penalised. The instigator is just risking losing a return on an investment. So many scenarios but only one was listened to by the authorities.
I read this book in one sitting and I think the best lesson a story like this teaches is that a life is a life no matter how it pans out. I recommend it - a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
4 stars -it’s a very well-written book and genuinely hard to put down. This is how books should be written, despite the simple, almost adolescent style.
I was expecting this memoir to be a true “second book” following the original "My Story" so I was surprised to find all the same chapters from the first one.
The updated portion feels very rushed. The final days at Hotel K should have been an entire chapter, yet it was oddly uneventful, no goodbyes, nothing. She claims she didn’t want anyone taking a photo… really? I know nine years is a long time and she was probably emotionally numb by that point, but it would have been far more interesting to read about what happened to the other prisoners afterward, even the infamous “Black Monster.”
Time is wasted yet again on the paparazzi and her getting from one place to another- which has already been covered endlessly. That’s another weakness of the book: it’s far too repetitive. As other readers have pointed out, the story also lacks genuine acceptance and reflection from Schapelle. Despite the hellish experience she endured, I expected some form of acknowledgment or acceptance of her time there in a more cathartic way. I expected her to write about how she gave a final look at her cell or her mattress or something.
I read this from the perspective of wanting to understand her experience, not to decide whether she was guilty or innocent. Even after finishing the book, I still don’t feel like I truly know. It was written too much in a saintly way I feel.
May 2, 2023
MY STORY by Schapelle Corby
I am sure you all know the international story of Australian Schapelle Corby, the 27 year old beauty student, arrested in Bali with 4.2 Kilograms of marijuana found in her surf board bag. Schapelle spent 10 years in Kerobokan prison (Hotel K) for a crime she vehemently denies she committed.
I have always sat on the fence with this case. After all, there is the truth and whatever the media chooses to dish out. And as we all know, there are always 3 sides to a story!
Naive or not, I tended to believe she was innocent and that someone set her up.
I listened to her book on audio (excellent narration) which was a harrowing account of what sheer hell Schapelle went through in prison and the relentless hounding of the disgusting media who had a field day with every move she made.
The stories of life in a Bali prison are not for the feint hearted. Oh my goodness, the filth, the rats, the sexual information, food, drugs, etc etc is just unimaginable. 😳
On a very personal level, I have been involved helping prisoners in the Thai prisons for years and would always wonder if the jails in Thailand are worse than those in Bali. Saying that, I can’t imagine being locked up in either prison!! Thailand it seems, certainly had much tougher rules and regulations .
So for me it was a very interesting and informative book.
Guilty or not, I wish Schapelle only good things in her life moving forward.
I am sure you all know the international story of Australian Schapelle Corby, the 27 year old beauty student, arrested in Bali with 4.2 Kilograms of marijuana found in her surf board bag. Schapelle spent 10 years in Kerobokan prison (Hotel K) for a crime she vehemently denies she committed.
I have always sat on the fence with this case. After all, there is the truth and whatever the media chooses to dish out. And as we all know, there are always 3 sides to a story!
Naive or not, I tended to believe she was innocent and that someone set her up.
I listened to her book on audio (excellent narration) which was a harrowing account of what sheer hell Schapelle went through in prison and the relentless hounding of the disgusting media who had a field day with every move she made.
The stories of life in a Bali prison are not for the feint hearted. Oh my goodness, the filth, the rats, the sexual information, food, drugs, etc etc is just unimaginable. 😳
On a very personal level, I have been involved helping prisoners in the Thai prisons for years and would always wonder if the jails in Thailand are worse than those in Bali. Saying that, I can’t imagine being locked up in either prison!! Thailand it seems, certainly had much tougher rules and regulations .
So for me it was a very interesting and informative book.
Guilty or not, I wish Schapelle only good things in her life moving forward.
July 16, 2020
I always through Schapelle was guilt, but after reading this book, it is hard to believe that she is. She suffered immensely from her time in prison, it is just unfathomable to comprehend what she went through. Everything about her journey was just unlucky from the legal system, her lawyers, the process, government etc. She lost a lot of her life and will forever be tormented by it. Usually drug smugglers who get caught, plead guilty to reduce their sentence or become an informer. Schaepelle has always pleaded her innocence. Can someone really be that unlucky? I guess there are many innocent people in prison. Anyone who deals within the drug trade is just ruthless, so whilst she had to take the blame, others have no morals and don't care. I have now read all of Katheryn Bonella's books, they are engaging, so easy to read and make you feel like you are in the story experiencing it. I could not put this book down, it was traumatic to read and I personally felt affected by it. A great book and so well written.
June 22, 2021
I absolutely loved this memoir. It is well written and audio version is great. I think everyone should read it, to challenge our judgments and understand what the media did to her. It is so far much more than whether she is guilty or innocent, it is an insight into a women's experience that is horrific beyond belief. One of my all time favorite memoirs.
If you like Schapelle's memoir, I highly recommend this other memoir by an Australian woman (it's in two parts) 'Is This me?' and 'Revenge of the Wilting Flower' by Anita Horan.
If you like Schapelle's memoir, I highly recommend this other memoir by an Australian woman (it's in two parts) 'Is This me?' and 'Revenge of the Wilting Flower' by Anita Horan.
March 4, 2021
Due to the fact that I'm just interested in penitentiary system, I'm giving this book three stars. No matter how awful or luxurious prison conditions might seem to you, it's still interesting to learn about what these were. I sometimes feel we all have this weird and innner need to be locked up, the need for annihilation and evaporization as Orwell would put it. Therefore, reading this story might give you a little taste of that deviated desire.
January 31, 2024
When Schapelle corby first hit the news, I was on the band wagon that she was guilty. After hearing her story and seeing how dirty the media did her, I've since changed my opinion.
A heart breaking and unsettling story of what Schapelle went through at Kerobokan. I really feel for her and I hope she is now living a happy life.
This book caught me off guard and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend.
A heart breaking and unsettling story of what Schapelle went through at Kerobokan. I really feel for her and I hope she is now living a happy life.
This book caught me off guard and I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend.
August 23, 2022
Always felt in my heart Schapelle was innocent and made an example of. Reading this has confirmed it. Just heart breaking to read what she endured. If you weren't convinced she was innocent, reading this will definitely give you answers and have you supporting this beautiful woman and hoping that she can somehow recover from what she'd had to endure.
March 7, 2023
In Australia, it's easy to gauge whether someone is of the lower-classes by asking them what they think about Schapelle Corby - invariably, the lower-classes (colloquially known as "Bogans" in Australia) consider her to be innocent and will viciously and uncritically defend her.
Few educated people have even the slightest doubt as to the true nature of the woman and her family.
Few educated people have even the slightest doubt as to the true nature of the woman and her family.
March 8, 2024
I have never really had an answer to the age old question - 'Is she really guilty? Or is she innocent?'
But this book is about so much more! The things she saw while imprisoned, the heartbreaking losses, the entire experience - I was captivated from the very first chapter... I couldn't put it down... It was extremely moving, the emotions run high from start to finish... I highly recommend!!
But this book is about so much more! The things she saw while imprisoned, the heartbreaking losses, the entire experience - I was captivated from the very first chapter... I couldn't put it down... It was extremely moving, the emotions run high from start to finish... I highly recommend!!
October 5, 2020
I'm still on the fence whether she was really guilty (in the sense that someone in her travel group or other people close to her could've put the drugs in the bag) or innocent. Kind of leaning towards the latter though.
Her sister Mercedes is a a saint.
Her sister Mercedes is a a saint.
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October 19, 2020Some one wrote a review saying this book reminds us thier are allways two sides. There are allways three sides my side your side and the truth. I believe she was falsely acused and deserves way better and that she needs to get some professional help as she has some mental illness.
October 9, 2024
A great insight into what it is like to be in the eye of a media storm, let alone being locked up in a 3rd world country prison. Whether you think she is innocent or guilty, this book is definitely worth a read.
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