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A Prisoner of Birth

By Jeffrey Archer

(58)

| Paperback | 9780330464062

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A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: St. Martin's Press ISBN: 978-0-312-37929-2 Reviewed by Kathryn Lawson, New Mystery Reader Danny Cartwright’s engagement celebration ended in the murder of his best friend in a senseless altercation outside a pub. Framed for the murder and ... (read full critics)

newmysteryreader published on Thu, 9 Sep 2010

Book review: Jeffrey Archer's *A Prisoner of Birth*

A Prisoner of Birth Jeffrey Archer St. Martin's Paperback 624 pages December 2008 “We all suffer in our different ways from being prisoners of birth.” (p. 474) Jeffrey Archer’s novel A Prisoner of Birth tells the intriguing tale of two men who appear ... (read full critics)

curledup published on Tue, 7 Sep 2010

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12 Reviews

2 people find this helpful

A poor guy with little education but a beautiful fiancee got convicted for a murder that he did not commit, was sent to prison, escaped from it and plotted his revenge on those who framed him: Does this sound familiar to you?
This formula has appeared in numerous fictions and even Jeffrey Arc ... (continue)

A poor guy with little education but a beautiful fiancee got convicted for a murder that he did not commit, was sent to prison, escaped from it and plotted his revenge on those who framed him: Does this sound familiar to you?
This formula has appeared in numerous fictions and even Jeffrey Archer's previous novels. But "A Prisoner of Birth" is still a very good read - it is full of so many twists and turns that it will keep you awake all night. I have been taken by surprise more than five times when I read it. The story also abounds with scheming and plotting and I doubt anyone will give it up half-way through.
It's true that "A Prisoner of Birth" is new wine in an old bottle - it is reminiscent of "Kane & Abel", "Honour Among Thieves" and "Sons of Fortune" etc. But Jeffrey Archer knows when and where to inject new ideas and developments, e.g. the war in Iraq, 2012 London Olympics etc., to make the story interesting. The book also serves as Archer's (another) indictment against the British judicial and penitentiary system.
It is interesting to follow Archer's writing since his release from prison to see when he will stop holding his grudge against the UK institution. He is a talented writer with boundless imagination, and should not need to draw his ideas from the prison again.

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Tracy W said on Dec 27, 2008 | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

Definitely a page turner and almost impossible to put it down. There are twists and surprises in every chapter, the characters are vivid, this book is a perfect candidate for turning into a movie. I'm a fan of the author now.

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sharlen said on Dec 1, 2011 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

So much like the Dantes of Monte Cristo but very weak style of writing. I read through 2/3 and don't even have the drive to finsih the rest!

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Wslching said on Dec 27, 2008 | Add your feedback

I won't be the first reader to mention Jeffrey Archer's ability to create a dynamic, absorbing and intriguing atmosphere. His style and use of the language are accurate and rich while easy to read. This, in addition to the interesting and unexpected development of the story, made this book an overwh ... (continue)

I won't be the first reader to mention Jeffrey Archer's ability to create a dynamic, absorbing and intriguing atmosphere. His style and use of the language are accurate and rich while easy to read. This, in addition to the interesting and unexpected development of the story, made this book an overwhelming temptation.

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Bartola said on Aug 30, 2011 | Add your feedback

Jeffrey Archer is such a masterful storyteller that he can get away with implausible plots. Never mind that Danny Cartwright somehow manages to turn from an illiterate garage mechanic to a business genius and a bright academic and a knight impostor in just a few years. The simple question is, Did ... (continue)

Jeffrey Archer is such a masterful storyteller that he can get away with implausible plots. Never mind that Danny Cartwright somehow manages to turn from an illiterate garage mechanic to a business genius and a bright academic and a knight impostor in just a few years. The simple question is, Did I enjoy reading the story? Absolutely. Enough said.

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Holmes said on Aug 7, 2011 | Add your feedback

feels like a tale of two cities "to some extent, XD" in which Danny was resurrected by Nick's sacrifice!

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HELLO HELLO said on Aug 7, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback