Customer Reviews

Heaven: A Prison Diary Volume 3

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prison Diary is, by far, one of the most interesting books I have ever read. While some believe that Archer is egocentric (he does talk about himself quite a bit), I believe this adds importance to the story. Archer was part of the political system, yet he had no idea how horribly the prisons were run. He is now experiencing day to day life in the highest security prison in England. For a first-time offender, that has to be extremely overwhelming! He may complain about his conditions and the ordeals of his daily life, but wouldn't you if you were given a four year sentence for something that should have only gotten community service? His stories of the drug dealings, the prisoners inside the "lifers" wing, and the problems the guards face bring a new insight into prison life. Because Archer was not the "typical" con, everyone felt as if they could talk to him, thus, making this a well-rounded novel on the system. Overall, this is a well-written novel sure to shake things up a bit.

This is the final volume of three volumes about Jeffrey Archer's Prison experience following his conviction for perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001.

Archer gives the reader an excellent picture of what it is like to be in prison in the United Kingdom. He writes pithy descriptions of some of his colleagues, including two of them who were model prisoners only to reoffend shortly after they were released. His comments on the drug problem in prisons are almost certainly applicable to prisons here in the United States as well.

This book is easy to read, hard to put down, and does not waste words or descriptions. There is also plenty of Archer's good humor. He expresses his unhappiness at the people who turned on him and testified against him, but does not indulge in self-pity. This book is well worth reading.

I have read most of Lord Archer's works; I find them absolutely fascinating and spell-binding. However, in some of the previous reviews, I notice the word "novel" and "self-absorbed" used. These are not novels; these are real-life experiences of an Englishman's years in prison. Would you not expect to find "I" used frequently in a diary? Personally, I found the three diaries spell-binding, and would recommend them to Archer fans--of whom there are many!

I haven't actually read Archer's first two prison diaries yet but have ordered them after stumbling across this fascinating insight into daily prison life. Volume III Heaven can definitely be read as a stand alone non fiction novel or before reading the other two as it doesn't really refer to anything before Archer's arrival at North Sea Camp. Arhcer's final stage of imprisonment is in one of Britain's cushy D-category prisons, the final chapter of prisoners' lives before they are released, where there are no fences keeping prisoners in, and they have a lot more freedom and luxuries than ever before.

Archer tells the reader through his diary entries about the difference in the way he is treated at North Sea Camp in comparison to the places he was held previously. How he is being picked on by corrupt political opponents, how the media who are camped out on the doorstep for a photo of him is portraying a completely different scenario to what he endures daily. The drug problems of other prisoners and how the system works or doesn't for prisoners in North Sea Camp. Archer explains the different jobs within the prison and takes us through the daily tasks of his various job promotions including the one he refers to as heaven, hospital orderly. There are also a few pictures included in what is a fascinating insight into prison life. Obviously it is a diary by Archer so we have to assume he was well behaved inside or if he did anything wrong he certainly didn't include it. There are plenty of despicable or stupid actions from some other prisoners and the outcomes of those actions inside to keep the reader entertained though.

The final book of Archers tales in the Prison System.

I read this in 1 day... just wanted to get through it and again could not put the book down. A lot of the material and experience is the same as book 1 and 2. Though now in a Cat D prison (an open prison) he has more freedom, it does still show the drugs and money.

And of course, the press continue to try and get the scoop on him, paying other inmates to get "archer with his clothes off"

All in all, a good book. I am glad he did not do a 4th.

If you read book 1 and 2, get this to wrap up the set.

LOVED THIS BOOK..BUT FEEL YOU SHOULD READ VOL 1 AND 2 FIRST.... J. ARCHER'S WORDS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE A FLY ON HIS WALL.... YOU CAN ALMOST FEEL HIS EXPERIENCE IN PRISON.

Narayan of Rebeccasreads highly recommends HEAVEN as a worthy third volume to Jeffrey Archer's Prison Diary, although if you're looking for a new Archer thriller, this it is not.

As in the previous volumes, PRISON DIARY VOL. I & PURGATORY, Archer continues his scathing attack against prison conditions & atrocities, stating, at the same time that prison reform is the need of the hour, & has plenty of suggestions to offer, as one who has experienced it all.

Unlike the first two, HEAVEN is more voluminous & poignant. Archer has finally rescinded to fate -- the vengeance & despair is noticeably absent herein. He now tries how to make maximum good use of his prison life. His plans for charity & his future. The author does, however, have a deep fear of how life will be outside prison, & how British society might perceive his return to public life. Will he able to forget (& society forgive) past demons?

A good, emotional read.

Jeffrey Archer is one of my favourite authors and to read of his time behind bars has added a whole new dimension to his writing.He not only survived,but has gone on from where he left off,writing very readable books.

Loryn Potroz

This makes more sense if you read the first two prior books. Interesting and well written and an easy read, come to mind when describing the book. It is what it is - an on going diary of prison time. The tone of the book gets a bit darker as the reins are tightned and he is forced back into a more secure population. His depression is evident as he eventually trails off in his writing and picks it up the day of his discharge. None of the books were gritty in the sense of true prison drama, but it is an interesting prospective.

It is almost comical in some aspects as I have worked in the prison system. He is gleeful at the prospect of getting his very own coffee cup when most men spend their days trying not to get stabbed. He rails at people called Lady this or Lord that and loves to name drop. It's difficult to imagine that in a prison system and therefore the unsual prospective. Interesting.

Account of current problem affecting all of us that seems to be timeless. I enjoyed the novel, Sons of Fortune, so I went looking for additional reads by the same author. Found many. And as I like to read in sequence I bought the series of three Non-fiction books of Jeffrey Archer's time in prison. Interesting read that kept me turning the pages and made me anxious to start the next book. I wanted to try and answer what happened next to the acquaintances that Jeff had met during his stay in the different prisons. The mentality of the prison system thru Jeff's eyes. And just why Jeff was really there. That answer, I felt, was lacking just a bit. I would have also liked a sequel to tie up loose ends on what Jeff did to help reform what he saw as problems and what long term affect his being in prison had on the people around him. All in all I am glad I spent the money. Now on to a Jeffrey Archer Novel... Cat O'Nine Tails