Jeffrey Archer is undoubtedly one of the most acclaimed authors of this generation.Right from Kane and Abel to the Prisoner of Birth, Archer’s writing stands out from the rest of the crowd.Prisoner of Birth can be described as a revenge drama, the sort of genre popularised immensely by The Count Of Monte Cristo.
The story begins with Danny Cartwright proposing to his girlfriend Beth Wilson.The duo along with Beth’s brother go to a pub to celebrate.One incident leads to another and at the end of it all, Danny is charged with the murder of Beth’s brother.The prosecution testimony is supported by Spencer Craig, Lawrence Davenport, Gerald Payne and Toby Mortimer;some of the most respected names in British society.Danny is sentenced to 22 years imprisonment in Belmarsh, the most secure prison in the country.Out there he meets the aristocrat Sir Nicholas Moncrieff and destiny makes Danny take over Sir Nicholas’ identity and escape the prsion to take revenge on the foursome.
The story is heavily inspired by the Count of monte cristo which would be evident to readers from Archer’s interviews.The story can be called as a worthy adaptation of the french classic.However, the problem with this book is the predictability.Most readers would be able to stay 10 pages ahead.The so called shock ending described in the book’s cover doesn’t come(oor it was too lame for me to find it shocking).This is the book’s biggest bane.Most of you might say that one should expect the obvious from a revenge drama;I beg to differ here.Though the Count of Monte Cristo is very similar and you know that the protagonist is going to win in the end, there is still a powerful suspense as to how he tackles his enemies.Prisoner of Birth has a very weak revenge part.Also, some characters have been wasted, particularly Toby Mortimer, who is bumped off midway into the book.
The strength of the book has to be the 2 trials:One where Danny is sentenced and the other where Danny is acquitted(which features Sir Redmayne, a small but very powerful cameo).
Prisoner of Birth is a fun read but surely won’t rank as Archer’s best works.I would describe this book as a’Masala entertainer’good while it lasts, but won’t stay long with you.