A Prison Diary Volume I

by Jeffrey Archer
A Prison Diary Volume I cover
Good Books rating 3.7
Biography and Memoir
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2869
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781743290279
  • Publisher: Pan
  • Published: 2003-09-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Jeffrey Archer's 'A Prison Diary Volume I: Hell' provides a detailed and personal account of his 22-day stay in HMP Belmarsh, a high-security prison known for housing some of Britain's most dangerous criminals. This diary offers a stark and unfiltered look at the daily struggles and psychological toll of imprisonment, as Archer documents his experiences with candor and introspection. Beyond the plot, the book is notable for its insight into the British prison system and the author's reflections on justice, punishment, and personal resilience. Archer's writing style brings a sense of immediacy and urgency to his account, making it a compelling read for those interested in true stories of survival and the human condition.

Reviews
Waterstones · 2023-04-06
compelling 4.00

The diary offers a haunting and raw account of prison life, providing a compelling insight into the author's experiences. It is praised for its direct and unfiltered narrative style.

This first volume of Jeffrey Archer's prison diaries is described as a haunting and raw account of his time in prison. The reviewer appreciates the unfiltered and direct narrative style, which provides a compelling insight into the harsh realities of prison life. They highlight the author's ability to capture the emotional and psychological toll of incarceration, making it a powerful read. The reviewer also notes that the simplicity and directness of the writing add to its impact, making it a surprisingly effective critique of the prison system.

Quick quotes

    Hell is the haunting first volume in Jeffrey Archer's The Prison Diaries

    The author's daily record of the time he spent there

    A devastating critique written simply and directly

Pan Macmillan · 2023-04-06
devastating 3.00

The diary is noted for its haunting and compelling portrayal of prison life, with the reviewer praising its simplicity and directness. It is seen as a devastating critique of the prison system.

The reviewer from Pan Macmillan describes this diary as a haunting and compelling insight into prison life. They appreciate the simplicity and directness of the writing, which makes the critique of the prison system all the more devastating. The reviewer highlights how the author's personal experiences are laid bare, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of incarceration. The emotional impact of the narrative is noted as particularly powerful, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    A haunting and compelling insight into prison life

    Surprisingly effective

    A devastating critique written simply and directly

Apple Books · 2001-07-19
powerful 4.10

The diary is highly rated for its raw and unfiltered account of the author's prison experiences. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and the honest portrayal of life behind bars.

On Apple Books, this diary has received high ratings for its raw and unfiltered account of Jeffrey Archer's time in prison. Reviewers appreciate the emotional depth and the honest portrayal of life behind bars. They find the narrative to be both compelling and thought-provoking, with the author's personal experiences adding a layer of authenticity. The diary is seen as a powerful critique of the prison system, with the simplicity of the writing style enhancing its impact. Readers note that the emotional journey is as significant as the factual account, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    On Thursday 19 July 2001, after a perjury trial lasting seven weeks, Jeffrey Archer was sentenced to four years in jail

    Hell. Jeffrey Archer

    The sun is shining through

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