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Papillon (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)

Author: Henri Charriere
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

8 reviews
Sales Rank: 2166

Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 688
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.5

ISBN: 0007179960
Dewey Decimal Number: 364
EAN: 9780007179961
ASIN: 0007179960

Publication Date: May 3, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new book dispatched from stock in the UK

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Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

A MUST READ in your lifetime book - FANTASTIC May 24, 2008
Having been recommended this book by someone I decided to see what the fuss what about myself. From the very beginning this book takes hold of you and doesn't let go until you reach the end. The book is based on the diaries of Henri Charriere who was wrongly accused of murder and sent to the penal colony in French Guiana to carry out his life sentence. The book follows Henri, or "Papillon" as he is nicknamed, through his life in these horrendous prison conditions that he has to endure. It takes you through his 9 escapes from various different prisons where he is captured every time he manages to escape to another country. There are times in the book where you really believe that he has made it, that he has escaped, only to discover his recapture. Along the way Charriere meets and makes new friends and some of those he loses along the way, but it is heartwarming to read that later on in the book he is again reunited with close friends in another prison in another country.

This book is really fantastic and has to be one of the best books I have ever read (I have read A LOT!). Although at times some of the stories or incidents seem unbelievable and at times it seems as though Charriere makes himself out to be some kind of hero or great man, this book is simply so engrossing that you overlook those small occurances and it doesn't even matter! Charriere's determination in wanting to escape makes you support him full on and urge him to succeed.

Having just finished this book, I am just about to buy "Banco" to really follow his journey after prison life for 13 years. If you never read a book in your life, let this be your first and you will be hooked on reading. Simply fantastic.

5 out of 5 stars

my top ten books to read in a life time! January 21, 2008
This was a fantastic book to read , full of adventure, papillon seems to take you on his journey, His endurance of the french penal system and his outlook on life was never dampend by the way he was so brutally treated and his adventures when he managed to escape were full of bizzarre and wonderfull people he would meet, (the indians), If you are going to read this book then i would suggest reading his second book, Banco! brilliant reading from an extremly intelligent man.

5 out of 5 stars

Incredible Story Telling December 12, 2007
This is a powerful tale of one man's struggle against the misfortune and inhumanity that life and the French Authorities has brought upon him.

Papillon the man, has a natural gift for story telling, but what shines through his converstaional prose more than anything else is his exceptional sense of honour, good humour and amazing determination to overcome adversity.

Papillon the book, is a must read for anyone who takes inspiration from the display of such positive human traits as these.

The person before me who gave the book 1 star amazes me. For me that rating says more about their attitude to life than a fair reflection of what is an amazingly powerful true story of hope and depth of the human spirit.

1 out of 5 stars

if only September 25, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful

if only..if only i could string a sentance together to express my hatred for this book. never ever have i ever wanted to finish a book so quickly ( my previously despised book was Gorky Park ). its all just so slow paced and unbelivable. as for the slackness of the penal colonies then well i glad i am not french

5 out of 5 stars

The dogs b****** of a book ! July 22, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book is simply the best read ever, you could quite literally read it without putting it down, then start it again or as i did dip into it from time to time.
The pages of my orginal copy fell out because my friends were lining up to borrow it.
This book is an insperation to me, when I'm having a bad time, I think of what Papillion went through & came out sane.
There are parts of it that are truely barbaric, and you really feel the pain, and yet there are parts of it that are colourful & uplifting.
If you like true adventure story's and you've still to read this book, BUY it now! You won't regret it.