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The Hill
North Africa, 1942.
A new batch of prisoners have just arrived in British detention camp 3599.
Among them is Stevens, puny, effeminate and psychologically weak.
The prisoners are both entertained and repulsed by his bizarre outbursts and cries for help; his frailty initially disgusts them but soon becomes an alarming call for help.
Stevens shares Cell 8 with fellow new arrivals Bartlett, the old lag, Bokumbo, tough West African, McGrath, hardened Scottish fighter and Roberts, a warrant officer who refused to go into a suicidal action.
The clash of personalities beneath the brutal lust for power of a staff sergeant generates a savage tension.
The mental torture Stevens is forced to endure leaves the other cell members speechless and full of hatred for a military system that they had once been part of.
Eventually, they put their differences to one side and decide there is something else worth fighting for.
The hot sun of Egypt permeates every thought and action, and the steep hill - over which prisoners have to run at the double with full kit - burns into the consciousness of every man.
Finally, the pitiless indifference shown by the authorities leads to a shocking denouement.
This is a brutal story of British detention camp and one man’s sadistic lust for power.
Praise for Ray Rigby:
‘The most spectacularly powerful novel since Bridge over the River Kwai…a crescendo of excitement’ – The New York Times
Ray Rigby was an English novelist and playwright. ‘The Hill’ was turned into a blockbuster film starring Sean Connery and Michael Redgrave.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
A new batch of prisoners have just arrived in British detention camp 3599.
Among them is Stevens, puny, effeminate and psychologically weak.
The prisoners are both entertained and repulsed by his bizarre outbursts and cries for help; his frailty initially disgusts them but soon becomes an alarming call for help.
Stevens shares Cell 8 with fellow new arrivals Bartlett, the old lag, Bokumbo, tough West African, McGrath, hardened Scottish fighter and Roberts, a warrant officer who refused to go into a suicidal action.
The clash of personalities beneath the brutal lust for power of a staff sergeant generates a savage tension.
The mental torture Stevens is forced to endure leaves the other cell members speechless and full of hatred for a military system that they had once been part of.
Eventually, they put their differences to one side and decide there is something else worth fighting for.
The hot sun of Egypt permeates every thought and action, and the steep hill - over which prisoners have to run at the double with full kit - burns into the consciousness of every man.
Finally, the pitiless indifference shown by the authorities leads to a shocking denouement.
This is a brutal story of British detention camp and one man’s sadistic lust for power.
Praise for Ray Rigby:
‘The most spectacularly powerful novel since Bridge over the River Kwai…a crescendo of excitement’ – The New York Times
Ray Rigby was an English novelist and playwright. ‘The Hill’ was turned into a blockbuster film starring Sean Connery and Michael Redgrave.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1965
42 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2017
Jeden z válečných příběhů, kdy ani jeho filmové zpracování (se Seanem Connerym) se nemá za co stydět. Pro ty, kteří si přečetli Král Krysa nebo se jím líbily filmy Most přes řeku Kwai či Velký útěk.
October 7, 2019
This is an interesting read. It gives an insight into a rarely seen or experienced world - a British military prison in North Africa during World War 2.
The story is absorbing and visceral and kept me reading to the end. However, I did find a few things unsatisfying. For instance the characters are described as ‘grinning’ in all sorts of situations, most when they would be expected to have very different facial expressions. It felt tedious and a lazy word choice by the end. Also, I didn’t follow some of the mood changes of the prisoners. I do accept, though, that this could be because I’ve not spent a lot of time with British soldiers in prison.
What was good, I thought, was the c0nstrictive environment and the impact this had on the prisoners. Despite this being a bit lumpen in its storytelling at times I was gripped until the end. Then I felt a bit let down as the climax was, to my mind, too sudden and not satisfying enough. That said, I did think the inmates would see it as very satisfying.
The story is absorbing and visceral and kept me reading to the end. However, I did find a few things unsatisfying. For instance the characters are described as ‘grinning’ in all sorts of situations, most when they would be expected to have very different facial expressions. It felt tedious and a lazy word choice by the end. Also, I didn’t follow some of the mood changes of the prisoners. I do accept, though, that this could be because I’ve not spent a lot of time with British soldiers in prison.
What was good, I thought, was the c0nstrictive environment and the impact this had on the prisoners. Despite this being a bit lumpen in its storytelling at times I was gripped until the end. Then I felt a bit let down as the climax was, to my mind, too sudden and not satisfying enough. That said, I did think the inmates would see it as very satisfying.
July 23, 2021
Very compelling and excruciating story. Probably the best one to deal with the tyranny of marines — the war within your allies — I've read. Loved how the problems of masculinity were pouring like sweat from this. That terrifying hill to break you and the will to not let go of your dignity and justice.
Despite all that, I think it could have been written with a bit more thought. I felt like the language was too general, but at least it read easily. Other than that, very much in awe of this book.
Each man fighting his own war.
Despite all that, I think it could have been written with a bit more thought. I felt like the language was too general, but at least it read easily. Other than that, very much in awe of this book.
Each man fighting his own war.
July 6, 2019
Better than the film
Downloader the book, and never put it down.
Totally absorbed in it. Having spent just a week in guardroom myself, while serving in the gulf. I have some idea. But nothing like this. Excellent read.
Downloader the book, and never put it down.
Totally absorbed in it. Having spent just a week in guardroom myself, while serving in the gulf. I have some idea. But nothing like this. Excellent read.
January 28, 2025
zostala mi polecona ze wzgledu na charakter glownego bohatera... definitywnie juz rozumiem dlaczego..:)
przyjemnie sie czyta
mocna rzecz, fajna ksiazka, z jajem
satysfakcjonujace zakonczenie.... :)
joe roberts-i feel you, even though our problems arent on the same scale, i get it man
przyjemnie sie czyta
mocna rzecz, fajna ksiazka, z jajem
satysfakcjonujace zakonczenie.... :)
joe roberts-i feel you, even though our problems arent on the same scale, i get it man
September 25, 2017
Great read. Unexpected ending.
December 21, 2017
Oproti Milerovej knihe je Pahorek jedná veľká jazda po ktorej zostanete spotený k smrti.
May 23, 2020
This interesting World War II novel was made into a memorable Sean Connery movie with Ossie Davis. The story is about a prison camp in Africa for British soldiers who are criminals and/or deserters.
May 26, 2024
I couldn’t stop reading, through and through the boys of Cell 8 I was rooting for.
June 14, 2020
This is a great book. A brutal story about life in a war time military prison. It is also a gret film starring Sean Connery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2017
I've been asked by Endeavour Press to write a review of a book I read about 50 years ago (1967). When I read this book I was going through British Army training, so although my own physical and mental torments were a fraction of those experienced by the prisoners in The Hill, I was able to commiserate with those characters. A few years later I came across a few Military Provost Staff during a military operation: to say these guys had doubtful parentage and ate babies for breakfast would just illustrate their good-natured side.
I recall I enjoyed The Hill and remember the experience of reading it nearly half a century and a few hundred other books later. If nothing else it taught me one important lesson while in the military: Don't get caught.
I recall I enjoyed The Hill and remember the experience of reading it nearly half a century and a few hundred other books later. If nothing else it taught me one important lesson while in the military: Don't get caught.
December 13, 2015
Was a great film...
The Hill was great film and at last I've read the book. Probably better than the film. Looking forward to reading the sequel. Feel sorry for any serviceman that ends up in the glasshouse if it is anything like this portrayal. Any readers who have experienced it?
The Hill was great film and at last I've read the book. Probably better than the film. Looking forward to reading the sequel. Feel sorry for any serviceman that ends up in the glasshouse if it is anything like this portrayal. Any readers who have experienced it?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews