Naresh's Notes on Prisoner of Birth - Jeffrey Archer

A Prisoner of birth

Overall I’d rate the book as a B-. The narration is phenomenal. I was able to visualize everything as if it happened in front of me. The plot however, was mediocre for a Jeffrey archer novel. Also, there were parts of the book where the author seemed eager to give it a happy ending.

During the first trial I found it very unusual that Beth’s dad wouldn’t believe her when she said that Danny was not the killer of Bernie. For one thing Bernie was her brother too and also she was present at that moment to witness the whole thing. Maybe the court couldn’t believe the dialogues that happened between the two parties in the bar but why would her own dad be cynical about it.

I don’t want to sound harsh while criticizing this part but I was so not convinced by the escape of Danny from the prison based on his identical looks with Nick. Even if Belmarsh was not a high security prison, like the author mentioned, there are a few basic formalities which would make this plot look stupid. They take profile photographs of the prisoners in a million angles. Even if Danny was a look alike of Nick in all those million angles, what about finger prints, hand prints etc, don’t tell me they let you out of prison without all this.. I mean they don’t even let anyone out of an airport without completing these formalities. When it came to the will of Nick’s grandfather, the author was so diligent in mentioning every little detail from the stationery match of the will paper to the vintage typewriter. Considering that kind of detail, the segue of Danny’s escape with just the help of hair stylist looked a little superficial.

I was a little disappointed with the way the last two chapters turned out. After Sr.Redmayne finished questioning Craig (before book six), the judge ordered to reopen the transcripts of the previous case along with current trial. To me that doesn’t automatically prove that Danny is acquitted and is free. But to my surprise in the next chapter, Danny was out at Nick’s funeral and was planning an extended honeymoon in Rome with Beth. It is only after this chapter that Davenport comes forward and admits guilty. So I would have thought that Danny would atleast be in remand till then. But again Sr. Redmayne mentions that those three (Craig and party) were arrested and charged with the murder of Bernie. May be that itself was enough to bring Danny out. However to me it seemed as if the author was rushing for a happy ending. I would have been more convinced if the last two chapters were swapped to show that Danny’s freedom came only after Davenport pleaded guilty.

Characters:

Danny: I don’t know if he is supposed to be the hero of this story but to me he is not much of a hero. Even after escaping from the prison he couldn’t have done any damage to the three musketeers if it wasn’t for the money he stumbled into as Nick. Even then he din’t manage to do a lot of damage. Also whatever happened to his loyalty towards Beth when he slipped with the understudy, Katie? I mean, Beth had not moved on even though, in her mind, Danny was never coming back.
Hugo: This guy constantly reminded me of the yesteryear bollywood villain Pran. Perhaps it is because he played a lot of roles where he was after his nephew’s fortune.
Munro: His character seemed to be pristine and intelligent. He played a very key role, not only as the legal advisor during Danny’s disguise as Nick but also as a witness during the court session.
Leach: It would have been interesting if someone sought vendetta against this guy.