Penal Colony

by Richard Herley

Book Overview

Set in 1997 this is the story of Routledge, a prisoner at Sert, a penal colony controlled by satellite technology. He is forced to forget normal life. Then, under the charismatic leadership of one... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345358759
• ISBN13: 9780345358752
• Release Date: May 1989
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of the best books I've ever read.

My older brother had picked it up free and read it. He was just back from Nam, carrying a mortar for the Corps and watching the sh*t sta*ns frag their R.O.T.C. Lieutenants. "One Shot, One Kill." We were both fans of TARZAN and CONAN novels, Sergeant Rock, etc. This Penal Colony stuff was much, much darker, but brilliant...like when that astonishing ray of brilliant sunshine breaks through the storm clouds. Best read stoned, as most gripping thrillers are. You will not want to put this down. Right up there with the intensity, situational fog and painful death one step in the wrong direction. Intelligent man in desperate--but not hopeless--situation. To Build A Fire, Jack London arena. One is alone in nature's death-lock. The other surrounded by the evilest motherf*ckers Sons of Satan Prison Island. Read it NOW- believe me later.

Better than the movie

A thoroughly gripping story of life in a grim world. Reading it you just slide into the isolation and desperation of the island prison. There was a movie based upon it, No Way Out with Ray Liotta, that wasn't bad, but the book is even better.

Wonderfully engaging suspense

A great book! If you like just about anything, give this book a try. Great characters, a compelling story, David vs. Goliath! Everything a great book needs...it hits on all cylinders. The sensory descriptions are just about perfect, I feel as though I've been to Sert. If I met John Anthony Rutledge on the street, it's like I know him like an old friend. Get this and read it!

An awesome read

A great futuristic prison book. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. Lots of action and excellent dialogue. The movie No Escape was based on the book. However, the book is tens times better. Enjoy.