Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #616188 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Synopsis
Rita Nightingale's wealthy boyfriend put her on a plane to meet him for a romantic holiday. When her luggage was searched at a stop-over in Bangkok, heroin was found. Rita received a sentence of 20 years imprisonment. This is the story of a young woman's experience of a Thai jail, facing years of deprivation and separation from her family. Rita was bitter and angry at her unjust treatment. It was only when she discovered a relationship with the God who made her and loved her that life became not only bearable but full of joy and hope. Rita received a royal pardon after three years in jail and returned to England where she became involved in the work of Prison Christian Fellowship. The second half of the book continues the story as Rita finds her ministry to others,

Customer Reviews

Brilliantly exciting....and true!
I could not put this book down from the minute I started to read it. It was so exciting! While reading this book, you could be forgiven for forgetting that this is actually a true story. To think that the events that took place are for real is amazing. All sorts of emotions stir in you as you read this book, from anger at the way she was used, frustration at the injustice of her sentence, pity because of the conditions she endured and joy at the outcome of her situation. An absolutely fantastic read. Don't be put off because God is mentioned if you do not share the author's faith, because it is worth reading just for the quality of the story alone.

Fantastic; uplifting and inspirational
When I first saw free, I read the back and thought oh usual thing somebody who's done wrong, is trying to blame it on somebody else and making money in the process, but then I started reading and wow what a book. This is fantastic; You really feel for Rita and it really makes you think how would you cope in this situation? What a wonderful strong woman Rita is. This book really shows just how strong the power of prayer is and that god has a purpose in everything that happens to us. It also makes us question the strength of our own faith and how we would get through the same situation, would we cope and put our faith in god that things would go right. This would be a great book for both christians and non-christians alike.

Opinion of a non-believer
I stumbled across this book in a tiny Christian bookshop in Cricieth, North Wales. I was away for a few days and had finished the book I had taken so had wandered into the bookshop thinking it was a "normal" bookshop. Looking at the titles on the shelf it didn't take me long to realise that it was a religious bookshop.

I'd read a couple of books about prisoners in Thai jails and so even though this had a religious aspect to it I thought it would be an interesting read and if it got too heavy on the preaching I could ditch it and get something else later.

I started reading it in the bath as soon as I got back to the hotel and found it VERY difficult to put down. It is a real page turner and reads very much like a thriller.

Rita's story is horrific and I think it would have destroyed most people, including myself. I found the way she gained strength through her new found belief in Christ was truly fascinating and it certainly made me question my own religious beliefs.

I am writing this review several weeks after having read the book and can honestly say that it has left its mark on me. It is certainly a book that I will not be able to forget easily and it is a book that I am glad I stumbled across and took the time to read.

Don't worry if you are not religious as this book offers the reader a gripping read from start to finish and it certainly gave me food for thought as far as my own religious beliefs are concerned.