Barry England’s powerful account of two escaped prisoners’ desperate attempt to outrun their pursuers across a dangerous and alien landscape.

Two prisoners of war make a daring escape, fleeing on foot across hostile terrain to the safety of the border. Which lies more than 400 miles away. With nothing to fall back on but their courage and a fierce determination to survive, Ansell and MacConnachie are pushed to the limits of endurance by heat, hunger and exhaustion. All the while, they are pursued on the ground by enemy soldiers and from above by a menacing black helicopter that hovers in the sky. Waiting…

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1969
Published by
Jonathan Cape
Publication date
Barry England

Barry England

About the Author

Barry England was born in London. His best-known play, Conduct Unbecoming, was a huge success in New York.
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