Pappilon

by Henri Charrière

434 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

About the author

Henri Charrière was a convicted murderer chiefly known as the author of Papillon, a hugely successful memoir of his incarceration in and escape from a penal colony on French Guiana.

Reviews

[Kyle Steenveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

For whatever reason I call this my favorite book. I have read it numerous times and I love the story of punishment and isolation and perseverence and escape and adventure. Even if this man's story is one hundred percent fabricated or false, I don't care. It is a very compelling story that still frightens me and makes me feel hopeless and hopeful. The time period it is set and the part of the world is fascinating. Even the parts of the book where he is describing solitary confinement it outstanding. I have sought many stories about confinement, the penal system or escape and I have yet to find a book that comes close to Pappilon. If history is your thing or adventure or escape, then this is a must read.