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Prisoners -- Fiction Books
Best books
Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo
"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is an adventure novel serialized from 1844 to 1846. When sailor Edmond Dantès is falsely accused and imprisoned on his wedding day, he spends fourteen years in solitary confinement. After a daring escape and the discovery of a vast hidden treasure, he reinvents himself as the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. Returning to Paris, he methodically infiltrates high society to confront the three men who destroyed his life, exploring themes of justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Ambrose Bierce
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story published in 1890. It follows Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer, as he faces execution by hanging from a railroad bridge during the American Civil War. When the rope breaks and he plunges into the creek below, Farquhar begins a desperate escape toward home. The story abandons linear narration to explore the protagonist's mind, creating an early example of stream-of-consciousness technique that leads to a shocking revelation.
Alexandre Dumas
Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome I
"Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome I" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a novel published beginning in 1844. Young sailor Edmond Dantès is betrayed by jealous rivals on the eve of his wedding and imprisoned without trial in the Château d'If. After fourteen years of captivity, he escapes with knowledge of a hidden treasure and transforms himself into the wealthy, mysterious Count of Monte-Cristo. He then methodically pursues revenge against those who destroyed his life while rewarding the few who remained loyal.
Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke
For the Term of His Natural Life
"For the Term of His Natural Life" by Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke is a novel published in 1874. Set in early colonial Australia, it follows Rufus Dawes, a young British aristocrat wrongly convicted of murder and transported to a brutal penal colony. Based on Clarke's research and visits to Port Arthur, the story depicts the harsh realities of convict life through a series of dramatic events involving betrayal, attempted escapes, and unlikely survival. The novel vividly portrays the inhumane treatment of prisoners in Australia's convict era.
Oliver Goldsmith
The Vicar of Wakefield
"The Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith is a novel published in 1766. It follows the Primrose family's dramatic fall from wealth and prosperity into hardship and social disgrace, then their eventual redemption. Through unexpected misfortunes, financial ruin, and moral trials, the virtuous vicar Dr. Charles Primrose struggles to maintain his faith and integrity while protecting his family from deception and scandal. Goldsmith blends satire and sentiment to contrast the hypocrisy of the upper classes with simple Christian virtue and resilience.
Jack London
The Jacket (The Star-Rover)
"The Jacket (The Star-Rover)" by Jack London is a novel published in 1915. The story follows Darrell Standing, a university professor imprisoned at San Quentin, who endures torture through a compression device called "the jacket." To survive, he enters trance states where he walks among the stars and experiences vivid past lives across different ages and cultures. London based the novel on interviews with a former convict who actually endured this torture device. The work blends science fiction with mysticism and reincarnation themes.
Alexandre Dumas
Il Conte di Monte-Cristo
"Il Conte di Monte-Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a novel published between 1844 and 1846. Young sailor Edmond Dantès is falsely accused of conspiracy and imprisoned in the Château d'If on his wedding day. After fourteen years, he escapes with knowledge of a hidden treasure and returns to France as the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. Assuming multiple identities, he methodically orchestrates revenge against those who betrayed him while rewarding those who remained loyal.
Alexandre Dumas
Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome II
"Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome II" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a novel published beginning in 1844. A young sailor named Edmond Dantès is falsely accused of conspiracy and imprisoned for fourteen years in the Château d'If. After escaping with knowledge of a hidden treasure, he transforms himself into the wealthy Count of Monte-Cristo. Now armed with power and wealth, Dantès methodically seeks vengeance against those who betrayed him while rewarding the few who remained loyal during his darkest hours.
Rudyard Kipling
Traffics and Discoveries
"Traffics and Discoveries" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The work reflects Kipling's extensive travels and experiences in British colonial territories, delving into themes of human experience, adventure, and the complexity of different cultures. The narratives encapsulate a mixture of fiction and observations that characteristically portray the encounters between imperial powers and their subjects, as well as the struggles of individuals caught in the tides of history. At the start of "Traffics and Discoveries," the reader is introduced to the story titled "The Captive," where the narrative begins with a sense of solemnity as it portrays the life of a prisoner in a colonial context. The opening verses set a tone of inevitability and resignation as the captive interacts with the environment around him, hinting at both his dignity and the nature of his chains. The subsequent scenes introduce Laughton G. Zigler, an American inventor who becomes embroiled in the South African conflict. Zigler's reflections and interactions with various characters expose the absurdities of war, identity, and cultural conflict, foreshadowing a deeper exploration of individual motives against a backdrop of broader socio-political landscapes. The narrative style combines vivid imagery and conversational tone, making it both engaging and thought-provoking as it captures the essence of human resilience amid adversity.
Alexandre Dumas
Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome III
"Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome III" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a novel published in serial form between 1844-1846. Young sailor Edmond Dantès is betrayed by jealous friends and imprisoned in the Château d'If on his wedding day. After fourteen years, aided by a fellow prisoner who reveals the location of a hidden treasure, Dantès escapes and becomes the wealthy Count of Monte-Cristo. He methodically seeks vengeance against those who destroyed his life while rewarding the few who remained loyal.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
Two Penniless Princesses
"Two Penniless Princesses" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a historical novel set in the late 19th century. The story revolves around two young princesses, Eleanor and Jean Stewart, who face the challenges of their royal status within the troubled Scottish court. Captured and confined in Dunbar Castle, they yearn for freedom and the joy of life beyond the dreariness of their surroundings, particularly longing for their sister Margaret, who has been married into the French court. The opening of the novel introduces us to the sisters in Dunbar Castle, where they share dreams of escape and adventure. Amid the bleakness of their captivity, they are preoccupied with thoughts of royalty and love, and their desire to reunite with Margaret drives the narrative. The sisters are expressed as strong characters; Eleanor is wistful and imaginative, while Jean is practical and steadfast. Their discussions reveal their hopes and frustrations, as they navigate the dangers of their situation, including threats from warlike nobles eager for connections with royalty. As the story begins, they are on the cusp of a significant journey towards their destiny, filled with anticipation and trepidation.
Alexandre Dumas
Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome IV
"Le comte de Monte-Cristo, Tome IV" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a novel published in serial form between 1844-1846. This tale follows Edmond Dantès, a young sailor betrayed by jealous friends and wrongly imprisoned for fourteen years. After escaping with knowledge of a hidden treasure, he transforms himself into the wealthy Count of Monte-Cristo. Now powerful and methodical, he seeks to reward those who remained loyal and exact elaborate revenge on those who destroyed his life.
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