Letters to a Prisoner by Jacques Goldstyn


This wordless book tells the story of a man who held political views in opposition to the government. The differences between the two stances are portrayed symbolically by people carrying signs with orange circles and an army with black squares. During a peaceful protest the man was arrested and thrown in prison.



The illustrations show us what it was like for him in solitary confinement and capture his descent from anger to despair.


His memories while in prison show us the man as an ordinary person with a loving family. It is a reminder that, "there but for fortune, may go you or I."


All kinds of people, old & young, famous and ordinary, from across the globe write letters in many different languages to the man in prison. When the prison is bombarded by these letters, the prisoner is finally freed.


The book ultimately highlights the importance of Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign and shows us the power of letter writing to make change. It does this by bolstering hope and reminding prisoners that they are not alone. Ultimately it can force governments to release people and change their policies.

At the end of the book is a letter from the author providing more information about Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign.

1 comment:

  1. Hello Cheriee,

    It is certainly a good review, thank you Cheriee.
    I have a book looking for comments and reviews, are you interested? it is a children book.
    looking forward to your reply, or you can reach me at johenredman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete