The Prisoner

This wasn't as good as I'd remembered it from previously reading it in 1990 - it was better! As a fan of the show, bringing my own associations to the text, my 5 ⭐ rating is undoubtedly objectively suspect, but that itself is in keeping with the book's themes of what we can and cannot trust, and the conditionality of reality.

Disch captured the smart, jousting dialogue just right, and created the layers of suspicion, second-guessing, cautious trust and resigned betrayals of the TV series.

His story is littered with the Shakespearean and classical references of the original, and the Bard's "Measure for Measure" forms both a plot element and a subversive meta-narrative on the role of the characters with the book, and of the writer and show more reader of the book. Whether the follow-up novels by two different authors will measure up to Disch's high standards remains for me to see.

Oh, and did Disch conceptualise motion-capture CGI in this 1969 novel? I think he did! show less

A novel based on the classic 1960s British TV series. Although someone once said that the key to understanding The Prisoner is that it's "a surrealist work of art, not a television series," and for a narrow enough definition of the words "television series," I have to agree.

This isn't a novelization, as such. Some of the details are different from those presented on the screen (though I think not irreconcilably different), and it doesn't follow the storyline of the TV series, although it does incorporate parts of it in an odd way. I had the impression, before I started it, that it was an liberal adaptation of the televised story, not a faithful retelling. Not very far into it, though, I realized that it's actually something that, in show more this context, is both stranger and cleverer: it's a sequel. Although it's possible that may just be me projecting an interpretation, as it's all very ambiguous... which is spot-on appropriate for anything based on The Prisoner.

In fact, I'm really very impressed by how much this novel captures the feel of the show, because that is not an easy task. All the important elements seem to be here, though: surrealism, paranoia, brainwashing, confusion over what is or isn't real, a dry and intelligent sense of humor, symbolism both obvious and obscure, themes of individuality vs. conformity, and the whole brain-breaking, thought-provoking lot. I will say that I'm not at all sure what to make of the ending, but to say that the same is true of the TV series is to perpetrate an unbelievably massive understatement. If anything, my problem with the ending here may be that it's almost disappointingly coherent by contrast.

I honestly thought that this would be worthwhile mainly as a curiosity, or at most as an interesting alternate take on same basic premise. The fact that it actually turned out to be a decent complement to and reflection on the original was both unexpected and rather delightful. show less

I have not seen the 60s television show. I did see the abomination that was the AMC “television event”. Accordingly, I cannot say if this book is true to the 60s version, but I can say that it (thankfully) has next to nothing to do with the AMC show. Accordingly, the following review is about nothing but the book.

The “mysteriousness” that one would expect from this novel is quickly evident. We are immersed in a conversation that, while introducing us to what is to come, is maddeningly cryptic. (Foreshadowing of the confusion that drives the point of this book.) And soon, Number 6 is in The Village, realizing that he is a prisoner and working on his escape. Yes, Number 2 and his verbal battles with Number 6 are here. Yes, the show more large globes are here. And, yes, the broad question about reality is here. (Okay, even though I’ve never seen the series, I know enough to know what is expected in this novel.) .

The novel’s strength is Thomas Disch’s writing. That first chapter is a grabber, and the reader happily explores The Village right along with Number 2. In spite of the absurdity of the situation, it is a believable situation about which the reader wants to learn more. The weakness is that there seems to be a lot of ground that is covered in a very few chapters (as if the seventeen episodes were smashed into one novel.) And the finale does not really bring any grand, “AHA” moment. No, I’m not looking for answers, but I’m looking for satisfaction in the story – and it isn’t quite there.

For those who have experienced the original television series, I cannot tell you if this will be a good or bad experience for you. For the rest of us, I can say it is a decent enough novel; just not one you have to rush out and read. show less

I have not seen either the original series or the remake. I saw this book at the library and thought at first it was the book that the series was based on. I rmemeber a friend telling me abou the series and about "Number Six".

After I checked out the book, I realized it was written after the series came out. I liked the book - up until the ending. The ending made no sense to me and was a disappointment because I was interested in the story up until that point.

Perhaps if I saw the series I would change my mind on that point but after reading the book, I have no desire to see the series.

Admittedly I haven't watched the original series in a few years but from this read I could almost picture some of the episodes. This is like the series yet it takes a few aspects in different routes. The ending on this was different from both the original series and the newer remade mini-series. While they changed that aspect it was done well and just as believable as if Patrick McGoohan had written it himself. Some episodes were omitted and some chapters didn't refer to the series at all.

I enjoyed this short read and will probably re-watch the series and then read again. I think it is a nice supplement for any fan of the original show but shouldn't be held as an exact replica. This one borrows just enough to be enjoyable without being show more tedious and yes it does include Rover. show less

I wanted to like this. Interesting premise, but with an ultimately disappointing lack of revelation. Also, this guy's writing style made me batty. Lack of dialog markers left me frequently wondering who the heck was talking, and while I suppose that probably cooperated with the theme of the story (which, as far as I could tell was "you can never trust anything"), it was awfully annoying. Meh.

Recommended by: Joe K.

Well-written, and the plot is resolved at the end (no spoilers given here, in case you haven't seen the tv show or the new movie!).
Depends too much on the "mystery" and is more abstract than I personally prefer.