Papillon

by Henri Charrière
Papillon cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Biography and Memoir
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
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  • ID: 2791
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Published: 1970-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Papillon is a gripping autobiographical account of Henri Charrière's relentless pursuit of freedom. Wrongfully convicted of murder, Charrière was sentenced to life in the notorious Devil's Island penal colony. His memoir chronicles his numerous escape attempts and the harsh realities of prison life. /n/nThe book is a testament to human resilience and the indomitable spirit of one man's fight for justice and liberty. Charrière's vivid descriptions and harrowing experiences make this a compelling read that blurs the line between fact and fiction.

Reviews
Darker Fables · 2023-08-09
disappointing 2.00

The narrative is criticized for being flat and emotionless, despite the author's attempt to portray toughness. The overall effect falls short of engaging the reader emotionally.

The reviewer at Darker Fables points out that the author's intention to come across as a tough guy is not effectively achieved. Instead, the narrative feels flat and lacks emotional depth. This makes the reading experience less engaging than it could have been. They suggest that a more nuanced approach to storytelling might have made the book more compelling. Overall, the lack of emotional connection is a significant drawback.

Quick quotes

    The author's intention seems to have been to present himself as a real tough guy, but the overall effect is a flat, emotionless narrative.

    The narrative feels flat and lacks emotional depth.

    A more nuanced approach to storytelling might have made the book more compelling.

The Little Man Reviews · Elliot · 2022-09-07
fascinating 4.50

The detailed recollections of the author's miserable life make for a fascinating survival-adventure. The reviewer finds it one of the most compelling stories they have read.

Elliot from The Little Man Reviews finds the detailed recollections of the author's incredibly miserable life to be fascinating. They describe it as one of the most compelling survival-adventures they have ever read. The reviewer appreciates the depth and authenticity of the experiences shared, making it a standout in the genre. The book's ability to immerse the reader in the author's struggles is particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

    The detailed recollections of this man's incredibly miserable life make for the most fascinating survival-adventure I have read in a long, long time.

    The book's ability to immerse the reader in the author's struggles is particularly noteworthy.

    The reviewer appreciates the depth and authenticity of the experiences shared.

Coffee and Books · 2021-09-06
fascinating 4.00

The book is enjoyed for its fascinating memoir and is recommended despite its length. The reviewer finds it worth the effort to read about the inmates' experiences.

The reviewer at Coffee and Books enjoyed reading Papillon and highly recommends it, despite its length. They find the memoir fascinating and worth the effort, particularly the insights into the lives of inmates. The reviewer appreciates the detailed and engaging narrative, which makes the book a compelling read. The historical and personal aspects of the story are highlighted as particularly interesting.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed reading it and I would highly recommend it.

    It is a bit long, but I think it is worth the effort.

    Reading about how inmates were treated is both harrowing and enlightening.

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