- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan; 1st, First Edition, First Printing edition (6 Mar 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0230531423
- ISBN-13: 978-0230531420
- Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.4 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 84,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
A Prisoner of Birth
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More About the Author
Product Description
REFRESH
'This intricate story, faultlessly constructed, supports action packed writing and makes the incredible totally believable...a truly amazing tale '
Sunday Times
'...plot that allows the author to draw on his own experiences, including not just Belmarsh but also the law...'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm a huge fan of Jeffrey Archer. You can say what you like about the perjuring old Tory...he writes a damn good novel!
East End mechanic Danny Cartwright proposes to his girlfriend Beth and they go to a pub in Chelsea to celebrate with Beth's brother Bernie. The night takes a sinister turn when a group of braying upper class young men start insulting the three revellers. Events culminate in Bernie being stabbed to death in the pub alleyway and Danny being wrongly charged with his murder.
At the ensuing trial, the four witnesses for the prosecution are a barrister, an aristocrat, a partner in an established firm and a popular actor. Danny doesn't stand a chance and is sentenced to 22 years in prison. Incarcerated in the highest security prison in the Country, he sets out on a quest for justice and revenge.
This is another epic from Archer. The courtroom scenes and descriptions of life in Belmarsh are detailed yet fascinating. Well, he is rather an expert! This is like three books in one. First you get a more refined, Grisham-esque court drama, then you get the Public-school take on Prison Break, then a brilliantly executed plan of revenge. Archer's mind is astounding.
My only criticism is the slightly high-handed treatment of the working class. I work in the east end described in the book, and I'm not sure that east enders talk the way they do in Prisoner of Birth. It's all cockles and mussels and cor blimey guvnors, which is a little wobbly. However, that aside, this is a hugely entertaining novel and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone.
East End mechanic Danny Cartwright proposes to his girlfriend Beth and they go to a pub in Chelsea to celebrate with Beth's brother Bernie. The night takes a sinister turn when a group of braying upper class young men start insulting the three revellers. Events culminate in Bernie being stabbed to death in the pub alleyway and Danny being wrongly charged with his murder.
At the ensuing trial, the four witnesses for the prosecution are a barrister, an aristocrat, a partner in an established firm and a popular actor. Danny doesn't stand a chance and is sentenced to 22 years in prison. Incarcerated in the highest security prison in the Country, he sets out on a quest for justice and revenge.
This is another epic from Archer. The courtroom scenes and descriptions of life in Belmarsh are detailed yet fascinating. Well, he is rather an expert! This is like three books in one. First you get a more refined, Grisham-esque court drama, then you get the Public-school take on Prison Break, then a brilliantly executed plan of revenge. Archer's mind is astounding.
My only criticism is the slightly high-handed treatment of the working class. I work in the east end described in the book, and I'm not sure that east enders talk the way they do in Prisoner of Birth. It's all cockles and mussels and cor blimey guvnors, which is a little wobbly. However, that aside, this is a hugely entertaining novel and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone.
89 of 96 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I can not remember the last time I picked up a book by any author and literally couldn't put it down until I had read the last page. Such was my night last night when I began to read a copy of Jeffrey Archer's new novel 'A Prisoner of Birth' in the evening. I was hooked into the story and fate of Danny Cartwright from the first chapter and absolutely stunned by the last. I found the pace of 'A Prisoner of Birth' unstoppable and the twist and turns not only gripping but incredibly interesting and informative. I did not find any part of the book to be improbable -or at least no more so than the hidden treasure in the great Dumas classic, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' which 'A Prisoner of Birth' revives. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a novel that not only gives insight into prison life, but the thrilling sophistication in which revenge today can be carried out. I now look forward to catching up on the past books of Jeffrey Archer - although I not looking forward to the sleepless nights that no doubt will follow.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
You can't go far wrong in terms of plot if you update a classic, and here Archer gives us a modern version of Dumas' tale. Decent man is falsely accused and convicted of heinous crime, betters himself in prison and goes on to seek revenge on those who had him imprisoned.
This is a pretty good page turner which should be enjoyed for what it is; yes, the characters are all stereotypes and Archer has introduced some improbable elements to his version of the classic tale, but overall it's a good yarn. The court scenes in particular are well done and provide the most focussed and enjoyable scenes in the book.
There's no point being sniffy about Archer's work - if you're after serious literary fiction, look elsewhere. But if you enjoy a bit of reading for pleasure, this is a decent bit of light entertainment and there's nothing wrong with that.
This is a pretty good page turner which should be enjoyed for what it is; yes, the characters are all stereotypes and Archer has introduced some improbable elements to his version of the classic tale, but overall it's a good yarn. The court scenes in particular are well done and provide the most focussed and enjoyable scenes in the book.
There's no point being sniffy about Archer's work - if you're after serious literary fiction, look elsewhere. But if you enjoy a bit of reading for pleasure, this is a decent bit of light entertainment and there's nothing wrong with that.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very good story
Jeffrey Archer is an outstanding storyteller, despised by the intelligensia,( largely I suppose because one doesn't have to think for hours on end what the hidden message is), but... Read more
Published 9 days ago by xcumbrianlad
Jeffrey Archer kindle book
Thank you for this product. I am looking forward to reading it when I go on holiday. It is a great way to read books on holiday.
Published 14 days ago by Anthea
Wow...an author to aspire towards!
Blown away! Those are the best two words I can use to describe how I felt about this book. Plot was fantastic, characters really well developed. A real page turner... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Mrs. V. J. Wester
Kept me absorbed
I am a Jeffrey Archer fan when it comes to his stories. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Funkid
A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer
A real insight into prison life - it really makes you think about people who are in there by mistake. Read more
Published 26 days ago by 05416485
Prisoner of Birth
I could not put this book down and I can't remember the last time I have done that. The story line was truly gripping. Well done Mr Archer we need more books like this.
Published 2 months ago by SOwen
Nobody does it better
As the song says, "Nobody does it better". Jeffrey Archer is a storyteller with enough imagination to pack five hundred pages at a roaring pace and no padding. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mick Read
An enjoyable, if slightly improbable yarn
Light reading? Tick. Enjoyable page turner? Tick. Believable story? Not quite, but who needs it? That's what fiction is all about. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. S. A. Blane
Storytelling at it's best!
Whatever you think of Jeffrey Archer as a person, there is no doubt that he is a brilliant storyteller with a fantastic imagination for plots and fine detail. Read more
Published 5 months ago by A Reader
Clever Stuff
This was one very cleverly written book. The book concentrates on the main character, Danny Cartwright but it is several stories, rolled into one. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Carl Willetts
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