The Prisoner | Fiction - www.zzdbook.com

The Prisoner

Apr 24, 2025 10:09 AM

Author:Thomas M. Disch

The Prisoner

'I am not Number 6. I am not a prisoner. I am a free man.'

This is the classic novel of the TV series The Prisoner, by cult author Thomas M. Disch. First published in 1968, this new edition celebrates the long-awaited remake of the series, from ITV1 and the producers of Mad Men, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel.

Combining the power of a great spy thriller with Orwellian science fiction, The Prisoner follows a former British secret agent who has quit the force, only to find himself trapped in an anonymous place called the Village. Known only as 'Number 6,' he struggles to maintain his identity in the face of the nameless powers-that-be, who use increasingly sophisticated and terrifying methods to extract his secrets.

Reviews

One of the most remarkably talented writers around

—— Washington Post

[This novel is] closely based on the extraordinary TV series, far and away the finest thing the medium has done in this genre; while Disch himself is one of the best SF writers

—— Observer

McKellen delivers a riveting performance as the fear-inducing Number Two. This remake is smart and quick, and succeeds in ways that the original did not. There's more urgency to the storytelling, and a faster pace - accelerating the viewing thrill.

—— The Telegraph

Many authors know how to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Jo Nesbo's one of the few who keeps them there

—— Linwood Barclay

Nesbo sets a cracking pace... A series of spectacular plot twists leads to a thrilling finale. Highly recommended

—— Guardian

THE NEXT STIEG LARSSON

—— INDEPENDENT

An absolute blinder of a book

—— Daily Sport

One of the best crime novels published so far this year

—— Sunday Telegraph

A fast-paced and unsettling story ... A compelling and fluid read

—— The Daily Telegraph

The writing is lean and mean, and the climax will blow you away

—— The Independent

Compelling

—— Daily Mirror

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