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In the Shadow of Papillon: Seven Years of Hell in Venezuela's Prison System
Following the collapse of his business and the loss of his home, Frank Kane made a catastrophic decision. In desperation, he agreed to smuggle cocaine out of Venezuela. Almost inevitably, he and his girlfriend, Sam, were caught.
The price they paid was a ten-year sentence in the hell of the overcrowded Venezuelan prison system, notorious for official corruption and abuse, and rife with weapons and gangs. At one point, Frank was held in the remote El Dorado prison, better known for being the one-time home of Henri Charrière, or Papillon. He witnessed countless murders as gang leaders fought for power, and he had to become as ruthless as his fellow inmates in order to survive. In an attempt to dull the reality of the horrendous conditions, he succumbed to drugs.
After enduring years of systematic beatings by the guards and attempts on his life by inmates, Frank suffered more than one breakdown. He lost over four stone and was riddled with disease, but somehow he found the strength within himself to survive and was eventually released in 2004 after serving over seven years of his sentence. During the long walk back from hell, Frank decided to tell his story.
The price they paid was a ten-year sentence in the hell of the overcrowded Venezuelan prison system, notorious for official corruption and abuse, and rife with weapons and gangs. At one point, Frank was held in the remote El Dorado prison, better known for being the one-time home of Henri Charrière, or Papillon. He witnessed countless murders as gang leaders fought for power, and he had to become as ruthless as his fellow inmates in order to survive. In an attempt to dull the reality of the horrendous conditions, he succumbed to drugs.
After enduring years of systematic beatings by the guards and attempts on his life by inmates, Frank suffered more than one breakdown. He lost over four stone and was riddled with disease, but somehow he found the strength within himself to survive and was eventually released in 2004 after serving over seven years of his sentence. During the long walk back from hell, Frank decided to tell his story.
286 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2006
18 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Frank Kane
218 books10 followersFrank Kane, Brooklyn-born and a lifetime New Yorker, worked for many years in journalism and corporate public relations before shifting to fiction writing. At the time he was selling crime stories to the pulps he was also sustaining a career writing scripts for such radio shows as Gangbusters and The Shadow.
In addition to the Johnny Liddells, Kane wrote several suspense novels, some softcore erotica, and (under the pen name of Frank Boyd) "Johnny Staccato", a Gold Medal original paperback based on the short-lived noir television series, starring John Cassavetes, about a Greenwich Village bebop pianist turned private detective.
In addition to the Johnny Liddells, Kane wrote several suspense novels, some softcore erotica, and (under the pen name of Frank Boyd) "Johnny Staccato", a Gold Medal original paperback based on the short-lived noir television series, starring John Cassavetes, about a Greenwich Village bebop pianist turned private detective.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 23, 2022
The title and topic lured me in. Papillon was one of my favourite books and I needed to read one from Venezuela for my around-the-world challenge. Having said that, “The Shadow of…” was quite appropriate as only a few paragraphs connected the two.
The autobiography was easy to read. There was enough going on and things coming up to keep me interested. The prisons were awful. Frequent beatings from the guards, and the cross-gang rivalry.
I think the author seemed to focus on the activities at the cost of the emotional experience. Even though it was written long after the experience, I think there is still a lot of emotional unpacking to do. Many of the stories were big-noting himself, which is understandable considering the trauma, but perhaps also a cover for the things he may be ashamed of (and needn’t be).
If there was to be an updated version of this book, I think it would be good to delve into more of the psychological realm. For example, he calls home every month if he can, but he doesn’t say what they talk about or if his daughter talks to him too. He is befriended by some of the toughest people early on, but doesn’t say why they took him in. There is not much on conversations with inmates, just the altercations and passing comments. This brave front that is presented provides a small barrier to the readers who are trying to empathise with someone who has commited a crime, so a touch a softness could go a long way.
Overall, the experience is harrowing, the stories are scary, the structure is fine (all chronological), there could be more depth to it, there could be a touch more on Papillon. Obviously as a prisoner, you can’t just go around asking questions on Papillon but perhaps some extra research could elevate it to the next level. The author has shared some traumatic experiences and should be commended.
The autobiography was easy to read. There was enough going on and things coming up to keep me interested. The prisons were awful. Frequent beatings from the guards, and the cross-gang rivalry.
I think the author seemed to focus on the activities at the cost of the emotional experience. Even though it was written long after the experience, I think there is still a lot of emotional unpacking to do. Many of the stories were big-noting himself, which is understandable considering the trauma, but perhaps also a cover for the things he may be ashamed of (and needn’t be).
If there was to be an updated version of this book, I think it would be good to delve into more of the psychological realm. For example, he calls home every month if he can, but he doesn’t say what they talk about or if his daughter talks to him too. He is befriended by some of the toughest people early on, but doesn’t say why they took him in. There is not much on conversations with inmates, just the altercations and passing comments. This brave front that is presented provides a small barrier to the readers who are trying to empathise with someone who has commited a crime, so a touch a softness could go a long way.
Overall, the experience is harrowing, the stories are scary, the structure is fine (all chronological), there could be more depth to it, there could be a touch more on Papillon. Obviously as a prisoner, you can’t just go around asking questions on Papillon but perhaps some extra research could elevate it to the next level. The author has shared some traumatic experiences and should be commended.
January 14, 2020
The actual writing style is pretty average and just like with Orange Is The New Black, the main character is the least interesting person in the book....the fact that this is retelling actual events does make it worth the read though.
December 3, 2022
Frank Kane and his girlfriend, Sam, after their business was failing in the U.K. made the fateful decision to become cocaine drug couriers in Venezuela. Whilst attempting to fly out from the airport on Caribbean Island, Isla de Margarita, the airport authorities stopped and searched them and discovered the smuggled contraband which was a few kilos of locally-sourced cocaine. The story progresses on a downward spiral from here leading us on a gratuitous tour of depravity within the Venezuelan prison system, a place not known for its human rights record and this graphic description of the hell these two lovers face is an arduous journey of disturbing narrative. We meet a host of foreign prisoners and locals and come face to face with some quite unscrupulous prison officers and army soldiers. Initially unable to speak Spanish, Frank picks up the lingo and the book provides a lot of Spanish prison lang and an interesting glossary of jail terminology. Violence and murder is an almost daily occurrence and most prisoners are fully armed with knives, machetes, pistols, rifles, grenades and dynamite and the norm is out and out turf war between jail blocks. It's hard getting a bed and dodgy dealing whether it be for crack cocaine or a simple cigarette is endemic. The couple are initially lucky to be housed within the same San Antonio Prison on Isla Margarita, where there is a separate female annex. They are visited by the British consul and Frank becomes more politically active in addressing some of the worst liberties taken by the brutal prison authorities. As time wears on Sam and Frank's relationship and health deteriorate. Ultimately they go their separate ways. Every morning begins with número. The prisoners leave their cells and run the gauntlet of bayonet--toting guards to line up outside and Frank is quick to pick up Spanish language numbers or he'll get a right beating. Stripped, laid on the ground, it's a common sight in the prison yard. When the cry of 'AGUA VERDE' rings out from the watchmen, it means there's been an incident and the prison gets stormed by Venezuelan Army soldiers who, in what is termed a raqueta, dish out unrestrained physical weaponised beatings and shootings of all the prisoners. It's a dog eat dog world and you have to make alliances and watch your back. The title of the book refers to famous French prisoner Henri Charrière aka Papillon. Frank follows in his famous footsteps when he transferred to the remote El Dorado prison in the Venezuelan jungle on the mainland. Here. conditions are even worse and the battle for survival in open prison warfare is very intense. Ultimately Frank serves about 7 years before his release and his grateful repatriation. Despite the dark scenes of the book, there are some great characters in the story and some close friendship bonds are formed. It is a moving, fluent tale of prison literature and to any reader it warns of the dangers of getting into trouble abroad.
October 26, 2018
This is the first time ever that whilst reading a book, the storyline fits exactly with that of another book. The author of this book was namely in the same prison and housing area as the author or the following book:
Journey To Hell: Inside the World's Most Violent Prison System
This became especially clear around page 218 of the book of Frank Kane. He referred to two english persons that were caught with a huge amount of drugs in their boat. One of the names he referred to was “Neil”, fitting with the last name of the “Journey to Hell”-book. After this, the events of the two books started to agree a lot. I also don’t know if it is a coincidence, but the two books are published in the same year (2007).
I get the idea though that Frank Kane’s book, better described the events. Kane described Neil as a person that was very silent. Kane was a more involved person in the activities.
The maximum security prison in the jungle, which the author was transferred to for a period of seven months, was one of the most extreme prison conditions I have ever read. This part of the story, including a riot a that prison, was a huge eye opener. I shows how “civilized” certain countries and its prison system are.
The story was a good one to read. Easily deserves 4 stars.
Journey To Hell: Inside the World's Most Violent Prison System
This became especially clear around page 218 of the book of Frank Kane. He referred to two english persons that were caught with a huge amount of drugs in their boat. One of the names he referred to was “Neil”, fitting with the last name of the “Journey to Hell”-book. After this, the events of the two books started to agree a lot. I also don’t know if it is a coincidence, but the two books are published in the same year (2007).
I get the idea though that Frank Kane’s book, better described the events. Kane described Neil as a person that was very silent. Kane was a more involved person in the activities.
The maximum security prison in the jungle, which the author was transferred to for a period of seven months, was one of the most extreme prison conditions I have ever read. This part of the story, including a riot a that prison, was a huge eye opener. I shows how “civilized” certain countries and its prison system are.
The story was a good one to read. Easily deserves 4 stars.
January 24, 2018
Wow what a thoroughly entertaining book.
Yes Frank did wrong. He shouldn't have tried to smuggle drugs. But what happened to him is truly astonishing. I am not going to go in to detail but the mental and physical torture he experienced would have broken lesser men.
Some of the things he witnessed are terrifying. Making friends with murderers and psychos seemed alien to start off with but that's what he did and it probably saved him.
If you want to read a prisoner banged up in a South American version of hell then you wont find a better book I assure you.
Yes Frank did wrong. He shouldn't have tried to smuggle drugs. But what happened to him is truly astonishing. I am not going to go in to detail but the mental and physical torture he experienced would have broken lesser men.
Some of the things he witnessed are terrifying. Making friends with murderers and psychos seemed alien to start off with but that's what he did and it probably saved him.
If you want to read a prisoner banged up in a South American version of hell then you wont find a better book I assure you.
August 16, 2022
what happened?
I enjoyed the story of his time in prison, as gruesome as it was. However it ended quite abruptly and I would’ve liked to heard a little bit about his return to freedom.
I enjoyed the story of his time in prison, as gruesome as it was. However it ended quite abruptly and I would’ve liked to heard a little bit about his return to freedom.
May 17, 2019
A brilliant read highly recommended
Highly recommended had me riveted to my seat.Lessons to be learnt for tourists thinking of making the same mistakes.Be warned.
Highly recommended had me riveted to my seat.Lessons to be learnt for tourists thinking of making the same mistakes.Be warned.
Read
December 27, 2019Absolutely fantastic need to ask where he is
August 10, 2021
Brilliant
This book is fantastic you can't my it down. There are many a shocking moment and you won't be disappointed
This book is fantastic you can't my it down. There are many a shocking moment and you won't be disappointed
April 18, 2022
Extraordinary story told by Tilsey, but characters are quite one dimensional; perhaps that was Kane’s way to deal with the horror. Kane is not as likeable as Charriere; misogynist and racist.
June 7, 2013
Survival is an eight-letter word that after reading this book, you’ll never feel able to justify using again in a sentence to describe an experience you have gone through. Because after you have read what this man went through, survival was shown to be a whole new meaning to me!
To read the rest of this review please visit my blog:
http://stevenscaffardi.blogspot.co.uk...
To read the rest of this review please visit my blog:
http://stevenscaffardi.blogspot.co.uk...
September 2, 2013
another great true crime book. the author went through some truely horrific things, including his girlfriend getting with and getting pregnant to another inmate. really admire the authors strength to get through what he did. anyway, I'm not here to tell the story! I'd definitely recommend this book. I've read about 8 prison books so far and this was one of the best. read it!
September 22, 2009
Venezuelan prison... not a place you wish to end up.
February 6, 2010
I must remember to visit these prisons before I die. Sounds like a delightful place to stay for a holiday. Will look into cost of tickets immediately.
July 31, 2012
a true story detailing the life of a drug trafficker locked up in one of the world's worst prisons. Basically it is like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome... But in Venezuela.
July 17, 2014
Humanity's shadow in an extreme hell-realm
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews