Super Short Summary

In the Belly of the Beast by Jack Henry Abbott, with an introduction by Norman Mailer, is a nonfiction collection of Abbott's letters from prison detailing the brutal realities of life inside a maximum-security facility, which he refers to as the "Big House." The letters highlight the dehumanizing effects of the U.S. prison system on inmates' spirits and emotions, revealing Abbott's views on violence, rebellion, and the moral corruption he perceives in the judicial system. Sensitive topics such as murder, rape, and assault are discussed.