Life After Life

The hard cover that I picked up in the library did not have a dust jacket to introduce Tony Parker or about his work. It only has a Preface and an Acknowledgement at the end, and the rest are the twelve interview chapters, each was a lifer's autobiographic account. I scanned the entire book for Parker's research methodology but it was never spelt out. That was disappointing to me. Although Parker wrote almost nothing about his interviewing, one can always feel his presence in every sentence, listening to the lifer he was interviewing and asking them questions in the most respectful manner. All twelve autobiographies are very easy to follow, very different, very personal, and some very touching. Some basic knowledge of the British geography and the British penal system would be helpful though. Parker traced the murderers' childhood, their criminal progression, perspective of the murder, the Life Sentence, prison life, and life during conditional release. Although I guess Parker did not write this book in an attempt to change anyone's negativism towards murderers, he had allowed the lifers' voices to be heard, and that included their guilt, shame and regrets. Not too many people would have a chance to talk to murderers, Parker had done this for them. I will also recommend this book to justice officers, probation or parole officers, prison officers, and mental health professionals who work with lifers or homicide offenders.