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The Guillotine Choice
In 1920s French-controlled Algeria, Kaci is in the frame for the brutal murder of his French boss. Kaci is faced with a stark choice: name his cousin as the killer and win his freedom, or keep quiet and face 25 years' hard labour in the infamous Devil's Island penal colony. Either way, one of them is destined for the world's worst prison...a hell on earth that few men survive. The Guillotine Choice is a novel based on the true story of an Algerian man's years in one of history's most notorious prisons. A real-life Shawshank Redemption, it is an inspirational story of endurance and the triumph of dignity over despair in almost unimaginably horrific conditions.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 1, 2017
Having read the authors, A Suitable Lie, which was one of my top reads for 2016, I was dying to read more of his books. I’ve always been drawn to non fiction novels so when I was recommended that I try The Guillotine Choice which is a true story, I couldn’t resist.
Through the author, Bashit Saoudi re tells his fathers story of the horrendous years he spent in ‘prison’ after being wrongly found guilty for a murder he didn’t commit. Family and loyalty is something we find out quite quickly is very important to Kaci. He would rather chance the guillotine than tell the truth about his cousin killing his boss. I have to admit I couldn’t understand why he would not own up and risk his family and work life for a cousin who thought nothing of killing another man so easily.
Kaci’s lifestyle is horrendous from this point on. The treatment of the prisoners and their surroundings are truly awful. The guards have no respect for them and add to the already horrible time they are having there. Every time things seem to pick up for Kaci something happens and life kicks him in the teeth again.
This is a really harrowing read. It’s sad to see that even years later there is still so much unrest between countries and it makes me wonder if we have really learned anything by events that happened in the past. Kaci is a strong and proud man and though I think he was wrong to not own up to his cousin being the murderer, I think we can learn something from him.
Through the author, Bashit Saoudi re tells his fathers story of the horrendous years he spent in ‘prison’ after being wrongly found guilty for a murder he didn’t commit. Family and loyalty is something we find out quite quickly is very important to Kaci. He would rather chance the guillotine than tell the truth about his cousin killing his boss. I have to admit I couldn’t understand why he would not own up and risk his family and work life for a cousin who thought nothing of killing another man so easily.
Kaci’s lifestyle is horrendous from this point on. The treatment of the prisoners and their surroundings are truly awful. The guards have no respect for them and add to the already horrible time they are having there. Every time things seem to pick up for Kaci something happens and life kicks him in the teeth again.
This is a really harrowing read. It’s sad to see that even years later there is still so much unrest between countries and it makes me wonder if we have really learned anything by events that happened in the past. Kaci is a strong and proud man and though I think he was wrong to not own up to his cousin being the murderer, I think we can learn something from him.
March 3, 2016
If only there was a ten star choice available for rating books because this one would certainly deserve it. One of the best books I've read in a while. Completely and utterly absorbing and compelling.
This is a fictionalised account of the story of a young Algerian man who in 1923 was given a long sentence to the French Penal colony on Devil's Island off French Guiana for a crime he didn't commit. Kaci Mahond Sauodi had to choose to identity the real culprit his cousin (not a spoiler, it's in the synopsis) and send him to the guillotine, or keep quiet and therefore condemn himself to a long sentence with doublage of hard labour in a penal colony. Throughout his sentence, according to this book, he manages to retain his dignity and self-worth and keep hold of his respect and empathy for his fellow men.
Devil's island is covered in dense jungle. More than 80,000 prisoners were sent to this notoriously brutal regime, with hardly any successful escapes.
Forget Papillon, this is so much better and this skilled writer Michael J Malone describes the conditions and treatment the convicts had to endure so vividly that it's possible to see it all in your minds eye.
He also builds up the picture of the plight of Algerians and what they had to suffer under French colonial rule. We are initially introduced to Kacid Mahond Sauodi as a young intelligent boy living within a close-knit family, who are at times barely surviving given the constraints they had to endure. Could just go on and on using up my whole range of superlatives. If made into a movie, would no doubt be an Oscar winning production given the right treatment.
This is a fictionalised account of the story of a young Algerian man who in 1923 was given a long sentence to the French Penal colony on Devil's Island off French Guiana for a crime he didn't commit. Kaci Mahond Sauodi had to choose to identity the real culprit his cousin (not a spoiler, it's in the synopsis) and send him to the guillotine, or keep quiet and therefore condemn himself to a long sentence with doublage of hard labour in a penal colony. Throughout his sentence, according to this book, he manages to retain his dignity and self-worth and keep hold of his respect and empathy for his fellow men.
Devil's island is covered in dense jungle. More than 80,000 prisoners were sent to this notoriously brutal regime, with hardly any successful escapes.
Forget Papillon, this is so much better and this skilled writer Michael J Malone describes the conditions and treatment the convicts had to endure so vividly that it's possible to see it all in your minds eye.
He also builds up the picture of the plight of Algerians and what they had to suffer under French colonial rule. We are initially introduced to Kacid Mahond Sauodi as a young intelligent boy living within a close-knit family, who are at times barely surviving given the constraints they had to endure. Could just go on and on using up my whole range of superlatives. If made into a movie, would no doubt be an Oscar winning production given the right treatment.
May 6, 2014
Fantastic book. Such a heart wrenching story. Full review on here and amazon to follow. Needless to say it was one of the best books I have read this year
July 4, 2024
A ‘not out downable’ book about man’s inhumanity to man…and the unstoppable nature of men! Phew…it was extraordinary to realize it was true! A brilliant read and a gob smacking story.
September 18, 2014
I got this for my Kindle mostly because we had just read An Officer and a Spy (Robert Harris) in our book group, in which the horrors of Devil's Island as the exile of the infamous Dreyfus is a small but evocative part. And when I was younger I remember seeing Papillon, although of course I didn't remember the name of the island. I really enjoyed this book- its always a good sign when you get to the end and want to know about the rest of the characters' lives - the descriptions were powerful, the history intriguing, and I appreciated learning something about the Berber honour code and family way of life, as well as French colonial rule. I didn't always agree with the choices Mohand/Kaci made, but who can say what they would do in such situations?
The end was too abrupt for me, and in places it felt a little fragmented (although this is not really surprising), but in general the 2 authors did a great job of stitching together the narrative. Definitely recommended.
The end was too abrupt for me, and in places it felt a little fragmented (although this is not really surprising), but in general the 2 authors did a great job of stitching together the narrative. Definitely recommended.
October 4, 2015
Deeply moving
This is not my normal choice of book but having read 3 of Michael J Molone's McBain novels and completely intrigued by the back story around his agreement to co-write I decided to move out of my comfort zone.
Set in 1920s Alegeria "The Guillotine Choice" tells the true story of a young man sent to the notorious Devils Island rather than betray his own family.
From the start I was moved and humbled by Kaci Saoudi's dignity, courage and his belief in what is right and just. I was brought to tears as he leaves his father for the very last time and the horrors he endured throughout his incarceration as we witness the depths that humanity has sunk to throughout the years. I felt as though I was right there with him on that island. I was engrossed in the book from start to finish. Bashir you must be so very proud of the man that your father was
This is not my normal choice of book but having read 3 of Michael J Molone's McBain novels and completely intrigued by the back story around his agreement to co-write I decided to move out of my comfort zone.
Set in 1920s Alegeria "The Guillotine Choice" tells the true story of a young man sent to the notorious Devils Island rather than betray his own family.
From the start I was moved and humbled by Kaci Saoudi's dignity, courage and his belief in what is right and just. I was brought to tears as he leaves his father for the very last time and the horrors he endured throughout his incarceration as we witness the depths that humanity has sunk to throughout the years. I felt as though I was right there with him on that island. I was engrossed in the book from start to finish. Bashir you must be so very proud of the man that your father was
September 18, 2016
This was a very interesting book but I felt something was missing. Maybe it was because the main character was portrayed as such a perfect person that it seemed impossible to believe everything he did. Of course it was written by a son who loved and respected his father, which had to affect the way the story was portrayed. In all it was a touching tribute to a man who suffered terribly as punishment for something he never did, but showed no remorse for his choice to protect his relative. I read Dry Guillotine years ago and this brought a lot of feelings of empathy back to me for how cruel humans can be to each other.
May 10, 2015
Based on a true story made it even more powerful!! It was carefully written,Even though the topic was quite morbid it was uplifting at the same time.I would've liked to have learnt more about his later years and his extended family.Still worth a read as the history was interesting
April 18, 2016
Having read Michael's other books, I knew this one would be different as it's a true story so wasn't too sure what to expect.
I didn't think it would be so wonderful. Beautifully told, very thought-provoking too.
I didn't think it would be so wonderful. Beautifully told, very thought-provoking too.
March 6, 2014
Wow, what a journey! Excellent book!
March 24, 2015
A fascinating story but felt we needed to hear a little more about life after Devils Island and not have a chapter about his sons grief.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews