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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
A modern twist on The Count of Monte Cristo. Suspenseful and surprising from beginning to end!
A bit unrealistic, but still found myself cheering for the good guy to win in the end. Some witty dialogue that would translate well to a screenplay.
slow-paced
Having read most of Jeffrey Archer’s work, I would rank this novel among his top-tier. That’s pretty good considering he is the author of [b:As the Crow Flies|7201|As the Crow Flies|Jeffrey Archer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388202784s/7201.jpg|2630354] and [b:Kane and Abel|78983|Kane and Abel (Kane and Abel, #1)|Jeffrey Archer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388965561s/78983.jpg|1084150], both among my all-time favorite novels.
As others have said, (and in fact, the author himself), this novel is a loose re-imagining of [a:Alexandre Dumas|4785|Alexandre Dumas|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1279049943p2/4785.jpg]’ [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203605s/7126.jpg|391568], brought forward into modern day England. Novels of false imprisonment and subsequent revenge on the conspirators are always compared to Dumas’ masterpiece but this time, the novel stands fully on its own and is quite an enjoyable read. Much like Dumas’ protagonist, Edmond Dantes, Danny Cartwright is a working class man engaged to be married but arrested for a murder he did not commit. Most of the first third of the novel is devoted to his time in jail as he works towards winning his parole hearing and it is great fun to watch him learn the ropes from his two cell mates who would become instrumental in his eventual escape, revenge, and redemption.
This is a fairly lengthy book and there are a lot of courtroom scenes which in a lesser author’s hands could become dull and repetitive. But the story and the characters have been so well drawn and the complex revenge plot so well constructed that those scenes serve to enhance the tension and drew me to the edge of my seat. It helped that Danny’s escape and revenge scheme was not perfect and was not saved by simple good luck but rather drew on the relationships he was able to build with those around him.
Another nice one from Jeffrey Archer, a controversial figure in his own right, but one who has lived a life much like a character from one of his own books. Perhaps his own legal entanglements, courtroom appearances, and prison time has led to such powerful storytelling. Sometimes he hits and sometimes he misses but he remains one of my go-to authors.
As others have said, (and in fact, the author himself), this novel is a loose re-imagining of [a:Alexandre Dumas|4785|Alexandre Dumas|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1279049943p2/4785.jpg]’ [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203605s/7126.jpg|391568], brought forward into modern day England. Novels of false imprisonment and subsequent revenge on the conspirators are always compared to Dumas’ masterpiece but this time, the novel stands fully on its own and is quite an enjoyable read. Much like Dumas’ protagonist, Edmond Dantes, Danny Cartwright is a working class man engaged to be married but arrested for a murder he did not commit. Most of the first third of the novel is devoted to his time in jail as he works towards winning his parole hearing and it is great fun to watch him learn the ropes from his two cell mates who would become instrumental in his eventual escape, revenge, and redemption.
This is a fairly lengthy book and there are a lot of courtroom scenes which in a lesser author’s hands could become dull and repetitive. But the story and the characters have been so well drawn and the complex revenge plot so well constructed that those scenes serve to enhance the tension and drew me to the edge of my seat. It helped that Danny’s escape and revenge scheme was not perfect and was not saved by simple good luck but rather drew on the relationships he was able to build with those around him.
Another nice one from Jeffrey Archer, a controversial figure in his own right, but one who has lived a life much like a character from one of his own books. Perhaps his own legal entanglements, courtroom appearances, and prison time has led to such powerful storytelling. Sometimes he hits and sometimes he misses but he remains one of my go-to authors.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The twists were pretty obvious and the ending was a little too perfect, but it was a quick and easy read.
This is the first Archer book I have read and it won't be the last! I was hooked on the character of Danny Cartwright as soon as he was willing to go down on one knee in a posh restaurant to ask his sweetheart Beth to marry him. Clearly he has wonderful taste from the beginning to ask someone named "Beth" to be his wife!! :)
But soon after this exciting moment both of their lives begin to unravel - as Danny is accused and charged with murdering Beth's brother during a bar fight -her brother who was Danny's best friend.
There are four witnesses to this infamous fight - a lawyer, a real estate tycoon, a famous TV actor and a drug addict. And the story they tell in court doesn't match Danny or Beth's. But, they are from the upperclass side of London and Beth and Danny aren't. The court won't believe their side of events. And Danny ends up in prison.
At the moment that his life belongs to the prison - it also takes a drastic turn that is the first step in owning his life for good. Danny is put into a cell shared by 2 other men - Nick Moncrieff and Big Al. Nick takes Danny under his wing and begins to teach him how to leave the East End of London and speak and act as a person with more potential.
The book is about the opportunity to change, about the potential you are born with and about prison your birth can create.
It was a great and quick read - a 2:00 in the morning finish!!
But soon after this exciting moment both of their lives begin to unravel - as Danny is accused and charged with murdering Beth's brother during a bar fight -her brother who was Danny's best friend.
There are four witnesses to this infamous fight - a lawyer, a real estate tycoon, a famous TV actor and a drug addict. And the story they tell in court doesn't match Danny or Beth's. But, they are from the upperclass side of London and Beth and Danny aren't. The court won't believe their side of events. And Danny ends up in prison.
At the moment that his life belongs to the prison - it also takes a drastic turn that is the first step in owning his life for good. Danny is put into a cell shared by 2 other men - Nick Moncrieff and Big Al. Nick takes Danny under his wing and begins to teach him how to leave the East End of London and speak and act as a person with more potential.
The book is about the opportunity to change, about the potential you are born with and about prison your birth can create.
It was a great and quick read - a 2:00 in the morning finish!!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No