Papillon

by Henri Charrière

Book Overview

"A modern classic of courage and excitement." --The New Yorker

Soon to be a Major Motion Picture Starring Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek

Henri Charri re, nicknamed Papillon, for the butterfly tattoo on his chest, was convicted in Paris in 1931 of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, he became obsessed with one goal: escape. After planning and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061120669
• ISBN13: 9780061120664
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

This riveting autobiography won't let you put it down

The thing that Henri Charriere desired most was his freedom. A French prisoner, he never stopped plotting ways to escape. The only time when he didn't have a plan in motion was when he was either in solitary, or upon personal request of the warden (they would request that he didn't escape so that they could finish their term, and not have their record/pension ruined by his escape). This autobiography spares no details about the violence and horrors that surrounded the prisoners daily. He loses a number of his friends to disease, or murder. Papillon was generally respected by his fellow prisoners, and the administration. He was quick to criticize the administration to their face. Many of the wardens and doctors even agreed with how screwed up the French justice system was. Henri is very detailed about his experiences and escapes. He remembers well the people who aided him before, during and after an escape. You will find yourself rooting for Henri with each escape attempt! There has been some criticism that say that Henri took details from other prisoners' accounts or that some of the anecdotes are made up. Regardless, this autobiographical tale of escape is better than any work of prison escape fiction that can ever be written.

Unputdownable

I first read Papillon over ten years ago. I borrowed a copy on the recommendation of a friend. Ten years later, the story called me back and again it blew me away. Papillon is one of those rare books that leave you sad when you finally finish reading. Not sad for the character, but sad because the story has ended. It is an emotional roller coaster of a book that will have you crying one moment and laughing the next. A must read.

definitely one of the best

During my 10 years of reading i've read countless adventure stories, some where good others were excelant and some were bad but none even comes close to "Papillon". the debated question wether the story is true or not is hardly relevant, (althought i simply don't believe someone can make up tales in this level of authenticy and realism) this book is impossible to put down and the reader is sucked into Charriere's world within the first page. If you can read only one book ,definitely read "Pappillon".

HENRI THE BEST

I will remember Papi's experienced all of my life. When I was 14 I read this book. Papýllon is first book that I read totally. Afterwards I read it 4 or five times. And One day unexpectedly I noticed Banko (Papi's other book) I admired this french born, venezuelan died person. My hero, my prophet.I love him and her wife Rita. I remember that he write about meet her. If I could do one day I will go to Venezuela and visit his cemetery, and ýf there is, I wanna meet his relatives.Finally I am sorry for my english.

Telling truths, like truth, some beautiful, others hideous

Papillon is the most moving true account of a time in a life I have had the luck to read. I have read all the reviews both here and on the UK site. Though it is the final word on perseverance, this is not the beauty of this book. No, it is not the narration, nor even the man himself or the breadth and depth of his adventures (though awesome). For me, it is the clear message that friendship is the greatest gift a person can have and give. It is friendship that allowed him to escape, to realize his dreams, to write his story. Where would he be without the kind Priest, how would he have planned the escape without Sierra, and what can you feel but shame (as did Papillon!) after the generosity of the lepers - how wholesome they seemed in their nature if not in their bodies. The examples are endless ( unlike this review - luckily! ) but the lesson is singular and clear. This book is inspirational - no doubt - its inspiration is to gain self-esteem, to fortify yourself against those that would climb your walls to pull you down, but, above all, it is to be human to others around you. The inhumanity suffered by Papillon and others like him were at the hands of those who could not feel for others as Papi and his friends felt for others.I read that one reviewer tattooed a butterfly on his chest in honour of Henri Charriere, for me, his story is tattooed on my mind. I think of his story and his friends as often as I do my own. The only other equally moving account of the power of friendship is "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. My friends, those who have read the book and those thinking about it - all the best!