Papillon by Henri Charrière
The book is a memoir that chronicles the harrowing experiences of a Frenchman who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in the penal colonies of French Guiana. Determined to regain his freedom, he makes numerous escape attempts, facing incredible odds and enduring brutal conditions. His indomitable spirit and will to survive lead him through a series of adventures and misadventures, including solitary confinement, a stint in a leper colony, and living with indigenous tribes. Throughout his ordeal, his nickname, derived from the butterfly tattoo on his chest, becomes a symbol of his unyielding quest for liberty.
The 2228th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1969
- Nationality
- French
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Pages
- 400-500
- Words
- 145,000
- Original Language
- French
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This book is on the following lists:
- 147th on The Big Read (BBC)
- 364th on The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users (Culture Café)