“In prison, there’s nothing to see and nothing to do,” states the teaser for Sarkozy’s Prisoner’s Diary set to be released next month. Is it a book worth reading?

In October, Nicolas Sarkozy became the first former French president since World War II to serve time in prison. His conviction was related to criminal conspiracy involving the funding of his 2007 presidential campaign.

However, with the recent shift to winter time, his original five-year sentence was reduced to just 20 days behind bars.

So, what might the writer-in-residence have been occupied with during his incarceration? While exact details remain unknown, one can speculate about his daily routine.

Morning: dedicated to reading. Sarkozy took with him two emblematic books: The Count of Monte Cristo, a story centered on wrongful imprisonment and vengeance, alongside a biography of Jesus. The symbolism is quite evident.

Midday: time allocated for some movement within an 11-square-meter cell. Amenities were basic — a hotplate for cooking, a shower, and a television that he rented at €14 per month. A reasonable expense to keep up with Euronews.

Afternoon: Besides working on his 200-page memoir, he encountered paparazzi tactics inside. Other inmates used smuggled phones to record him through the bars and later disseminated the clips online.

Is Prisoner’s Diary destined for Pulitzer recognition? That judgment lies with the readers. The book is scheduled for release on 10 December. It has not been reviewed yet, but the promotional strategy earns a confident 5/5.

Watch the Euronews video embedded above for the comprehensive report.

Journalists • Jakub Janas