Customer Reviews

Be Seeing You: Decoding "The Prisoner"

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my opinion, this is the best book about the TV series The Prisoner. Contrary to many other books on the programme, it does not only contain summaries and nice photos. It tries to "decode" the programme and addresses issues such as feminism, the sixties and many more. Worth reading!

If this book were not about "The Prisoner", it might be a bit dull or dry to wade through. However, being about the wonderful and enthralling series that has captivated fans since it first aired in the late sixties, the book helps those of us struggling to understand the program by offering a new perspective on it.

Essentially, the book is a college-level text that deconstructs the famous television series, and puts it in context with the issues of society both at the time in which the show was made, and today.

Many references from the text of the show, both intentional and implied, are examined by author Gregory and distilled down in an attempt to find and understand the many messages contained in the series, the motivations behind the construction of "The Prisoner", and how the text of the show relates to us in the modern-day, post-sixties world.

If you're looking for a fun picture book or pop reference book full of TV trivia, you may be very disappointed with this particular purchase. However, if you want a collegiate text that breaks down and scrutinizes the societial and cultural elements that make up "The Prisoner", then this is an excellent resource.

Be seeing you!

While there are plenty of thoughtful books about this classic series, offering more than just glorified episode guides, this is the one that really digs into it. As a previous reviewer said, this is the equivalent of a college-level text, one that examines the themes, style, and implications of "The Prisoner" in considerable detail. Yet it's not dry & pedantic -- the author is clearly fascinated by the series, and his enthusiasm for it shows in his analysis. This is academic work in its best sense: illuminating the source material from several angles & inviting the reader to participate in the discussion.

Yes, the bulk of the book does examine each episode -- but plot synopsis is merely the starting point. Author Chris Gregory looks at recurring images, motifs, and themes, which in turn leads to more allegorical & in-depth readings of the work. I like that he doesn't insist that his is the only true interpretation; he prefers to say something along the lines of, "This would strongly suggest ... etc." And he allows that certain key scenes & images can definitely be read in several different ways. Again, this invites discussion, rather than being an irrefutable pronouncement from on high. He's a skilled guide, not an academic Number One!

It's a pity this seems to be one of the few books about "The Prisoner" that's out of print. More than most, it needs to be made available again, not only for fans of the series, but for anyone interested in quality work. Most highly recommended!