Rating: 
Summary: A Highly Readable Modern Classic
Review: This is the only book that I truly "could not put down". From the very first pages I was captivated by the facts, the style of writing and the adventure. I'm a very slow reader and I ended up staying awake two nights in a row to finish this book. I've done a lot of reading but NOTHING ever captured me the way this book did. This should be universal required reading for oh so many reasons.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: I found a copy of Papillon on a shelf in our basement, and looking for a book to pass the time, I picked it up, it looked interesting enough. I now can safely say that this is my favorite book. Charriere's story is the most amazing one you will ever read. Some people say that there is no way he could have done all of that and remembered it in so much vivid detail. I say it doesn't matter. It is such an amazing book, the fact that it is a true story, makes it so much better, and if you refuse to believe it is true, that doesn't change how well the book is written.
Rating:
Summary: phenomenal
Review: plain and simply astonishing! Understanding other cultures is the key to mentally developing one's self. this book provides you with such an experiience, it forces the reader to take personal stake in the outcome.I read this book when iwas 13, 22 and 27. it can serve as a guiding stick. everyday in life you should count your blessings. fa
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Summary: My dog-eared copy
Review: Every home most probably has, or had a copy of papillon on its shelves at some point, if not, then it should. Papillon is a modern literary classic which demonstrates the power of storytelling in a way unheard of before it's release. Every page holds a magic which draws you in - the sheer adversity of Henri Charriere's experiences in the Penal Colonies of France circa 1930 will have you gasping with disbelief, crying and cheering with Joy at every turn of the page. If you have not read it, Now is the time...
Rating:
Summary: BEST!!!!
Review: This book is the best!!!! How much pain and suffer can support an human, to get his freedom??? You can't believe this story!!! I'm sorry about my Tarzan's english... Maxi
Rating:
Summary: One of the most magnificent books ever written !
Review: This book is the story of Henri Charriere ( known by the nickname "Papillon" because of the butterfly - symbol of freedom - tattoed on his chest ). At the age of 62, ex-safecracker, ex-convict, ex-fugitive, ex-nightclub owner, Henri Charriere wrote this book - in large, sprawling longhand on lined, school exercise paper - and sent it to a publisher with the simple note: "These are my adventures, have a professional re-write then". The publisher, to his credit, did nothing of the sort. He produced the book exactly as Cherriere had written in. PAPILLON went on sale in France in may, 1969, and became an instant literary sensation. It was praised stravagantly, attacked viciously, discussed universally in all the media. Since them it has been translated into 14 languages and has sold more than 17 million copies ! The book's critics point out the spontaneity and fluency of the romance. They also noted that PAPILLON is not a writing literature, but an oral one, and from that arises its narrative power. The story must be regarded as the greatest adventure of scape ever, yet Charriere account of his experiences has been criticised in some circles as being too bizarre and a handfull of the book's critics felt that no man could have exeperience so much. Charriere always persisted, however, that: "There is nothing embroidered. Everything is rigorously true. if i have lied, it is by omission". And most people who met him believe this is the truth. What is important is that PAPILLON is a story of a man's courage and his relentless pursuit of freedom in spite of overwhelming odds. Charriere whas born in 1906 in Ardeche, south French. By his late teens, he has drifted into the Paris underworld with a reputation as as safebreaker. At the age of 25 in 1931 he was arrested for the murder of a pimp, a crime he absolutely denied until his death in 1973 with cancer in a Madrid hospital, claiming the evidence was rigged against him by the police.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing and Uplifting Adventure
Review: This translation of Charriere's autobiographical adventure tale is without question a work of lasting beauty. Whether or not you believe it is strictly factual is unimportant once you read the first few pages- you will become absorbed by the strength of spirit, the fascinating descriptions, the exotic locations, and the persistent optimism in the face of desperation. A book to make you treasure freedom and think about human rights.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the greatest story of all times
Review: Without any fear of contradiction, I state that Henri Charriere is the greatest story teller of all times. His book dispenses with the usual boring literary prefaces, academic fluff, and the typical pointless essay-like exercises in boredom and other such language skills. From the very first word to the very last, the book is so flooring that one cannot put it down.
It takes no more than a pifly half a page to engage the reader, a feat no other author has been able to come close to.
In the 70s H. Charriere was attacked that Papillon was nothing more than a made up tale. My response is simple to all these allegations that still surround the authenticity of this book today.
I pray and hope that indeed H. Charriere made it all up and not a word of it is true! All the better!
This book is not about some factual nonsense or some historical account of the police files but about a personal battle for freedom, grace and honor. No other book is as uplifting and motivating. No other book is such an amazing read. No other book is in Henri Charriere's category!
I strongly recommend reading Banco, Henri's second and last book which continues his life after the escape.
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Summary: Great book, not anything like the movie, it is better....
Review: I saw the movie first and have seen it many times, I consider it one of my favorite movies. The book however is a lot better, and goes into a lot more detail than the movie did. In fact, the movie is so loosely based on the book there are hardly any similarities, except for maybe the name. The book describes Papillion's 6 or 7 cavale (escapes) attempts. The movie I think there are only three. Degas (Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie) is no where near as prominent a character as he was in the movie. Papillon's time in solitary confinement is also descibed a little different, and he gets sent there for different reasons than he did in the movie. The first time was punishment for the longest and best cavale. He received two years and the second time was for murder where he received 8 years, but only served two or less. Solitary was a lot more easy going the second time, and he was released after saving a child from drowning. In the book his most successful cavale is a lot more interesting than in the movie and it explains the time he spends with the natives in great detail. He takes two wives and has children. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the movie and wants to read the true story of Papillon and his struggle in the harsh French prison system.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT READ EVEN IF IT'S PURE FICTION
Review: I don't care if it's true or not, it's still a great story. This book is a real page turner. Though rumors persist that Charriere made PAPILLON up, there are enough nuggets of truth to make you think otherwise. I had a little trouble with Papi's consistent nobility throughout. Charriere leads you to believe he was a gentleman throughout. Kind of hard to believe. Also, he's a little sketchy on his conviction for murder. That leads me to believe he probably commited the crime for which he was convicted. I would agree that the French system of justice was pretty harsh back in the 1930's, but I'm sure Charriere exaggerated "a little" here and there. But don't get me wrong. This was an amazing read. There is much more to the story than the movie. Truly great book.
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