A Prisoner of Birth

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Roger Allam

Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

International bestseller and master storyteller Jeffrey Archer returns with a tale of fate and fortune, redemption and revenge with A Prisoner of Birth.

Danny Cartwright and Spencer Craig never should have met. One evening, Danny, an East End cockney who works as a garage mechanic, takes his fianceé up to the West End to celebrate their engagement. He crosses the path of Spencer Craig, a West End barrister posed to be the youngest Queen's Counsel of his generation.

A few hours later Danny is arrested for murder and later is sentenced to twenty-two years in prison, thanks to irrefutable testimony from Spencer, the prosecution's main witness.

Danny spends the next few years in a high-security prison while Spencer Craig's career as a lawyer goes straight up. All the while Danny plans to escape and wreak his revenge.

Thus begins Jeffrey Archer's poignant novel of deception, hatred and vengeance, in which only one of them can finally triumph while the other will spend the rest of his days in jail. But which one will triumph? This suspenseful novel takes the listener through so many twists and turns that no one will guess the ending, even the most ardent of Archer's many, many fans.

©2008 Jeffrey Archer (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“There's no better person to narrate this 21st-century adventure than Roger Allam…Allam narrates the multiple layers and numerous characters of this complex plot with alacrity. His reading, together with the story's ending, will leave listeners fulfilled.” —AudioFile

“...Roger Allam gives an award-worthy performance in this crisply paced production.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Narrator Roger Allam pumps this story up considerably by enhancing each character with engrossing vocal interpretations. He does a terrific job subtly morphing Danny's East-End accent into an upper-crust West-End one.... Every character in the story draws you in but there's a old Scottish lawyer and a venerable British defense barrister that'll have you cheering.” —Tom Alderman, The Huffington Post

Sheer enjoyment

Mr. Archer’s books are replete with themes that resonate nicely in this, the 2nd Gilded Age. It is delicious to follow the travails of the downtrodden as their innate cleverness and insight into human nature wins the day over the haughty and wealthy but ultimately vacuous wealthy. His storytelling craftsmanship is superb and truly engages the reader.

A favorite must read

I've read and listened to this book. I love a story of revenge, justice, and redemption. This is a book I love to revisit.

Terrific

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I was so engrossed in the plot that I missed my turn on the way to work on a few different mornings. The narrator is fabulous!

another Archer great

I loved this book.I found it a very engaging novel.I had trouble sleeping at night because I kept thinking about the characters. I loved the chapters in the prison because I have read the Prison Diaries and knew he was drawing on experiences. Of course, any book by Lord Archer is a great book.

Modern Day Count of Monte Cristo

I very much enjoyed the book and the reading. when I was serving time I had dreamt of a scenario similar to what happened in this book. as such it resonated with me particularly

My new favorite Jeffrey Archer!

I've always loved Jeffrey Archer's books but this one is truly outstanding. A great narrator completes the package. A MUST listen!!

Creative storyline A+ narration

Great listen, colorful and fresh story with awesome narration.

great read

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very well thought out plot and execution! Will read another one by this author.

Very Good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

First Archer book for me. It threw in some good twists and turns along the way.

What other book might you compare A Prisoner of Birth to and why?

Count of Monte Cristo

What about Roger Allam’s performance did you like?

Loved all his dialects. Great job.

Should be a classic

Unique premise, plot twists unanticipated, predicted ending but difficult to see how it would get there. An excellent read and well executed.