Papillon (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Share your own customer images
Search inside another edition of this book
Start reading Papillon (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Papillon (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Henri Charrière (Author), Patrick O'Brian (Translator)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.89 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £3.10 (31%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.
Want delivery by Tuesday, 28 May? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £4.99   -- --
Hardcover --   -- --
Paperback £6.89   -- --
Audio, Cassette --   -- --
Unknown Binding --   -- --
Books Trade-In
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more.

Book Description

Publication Date: 3 May 2005 | Series: Harper Perennial Modern Classics

An immediate sensation upon its publication in 1969, Papillon is a vivid memoir of brutal penal colonies, daring prison breaks and heroic adventure on shark-infested seas.

Condemned for a murder he did not commit, Henri Charriere, nicknamed Papillon, was sent to the penal colony of French Guiana. Forty-two days after his arrival he made his first break for freedom, travelling a thousand gruelling miles in an open boat. He was recaptured and put into solitary confinement but his spirit remained untamed: over thirteen years he made nine incredible escapes, including from the notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island.

This edition of Papillon, one of the greatest adventure stories ever told, includes an exclusive new essay by Howard Marks.

Frequently Bought Together

Papillon (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) + Banco: The Further Adventures of Papillon + Marching Powder
Price For All Three: £18.36

Buy the selected items together

Product details

  • Paperback: 688 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Perennial; New Ed edition (3 May 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007179960
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007179961
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Henri Charrière Page
Henri Charrière
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

From the Back Cover

Condemned for a murder he had not committed, Henri Charriere (nicknamed Papillon) was sent to the penal colony of French Guiana. Forty-two days after his arrival he made his first break, travelling a thousand gruelling miles in an open boat. Recaptured, he suffered a solitary confinement and was sent eventually to Devil's Island, a hell-hole of disease and brutality. No one had ever escaped from this notorious prison – no one until Papillon took to the shark infested sea supported only by a makeshift coconut-sack raft. In thirteen years he made nine daring escapes, living through many fantastic adventures while on the run – including a sojourn with South American Indians whose women Papillon found welcomely free of European restraints…

'Papillon' is filled with tension, adventure and high excitement. It is also one of the most vivid stories of human endurance ever written.

Henri Charriere died in 1973 at the age of 66.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

In 1931, 25-year-old Henri Charriere was found guilty of a murder he had not committed and transported to a penal colony in French Guiana. His numerous daring escapes and subsequent adventures are recounted in ‘Papillon’ (1969) and ‘Banco: The Further Adventures of Papillon’ (1973). He died in 1973 at the age of 66.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
IT WAS A KNOCKOUT BLOW-a punch so overwhelming that I didn't get back on my feet for fourteen years. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

› Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down the best book I've read! 9 Dec 2004
By K. Baker
Format:Paperback
What an amazing book! No other book has captured my imagination as strongly as Papillon. It is a true account of a man sentenced to life imprisonment in the French penal colony of French Guiana and his many attempts to escape.

It is superbly paced and flows so well that it's almost impossible to find a point where it can be put down so you can get your breath back! Charriere manages to encompass just about every emotion and through all the adversity and suffering there is still plenty of room for some wicked slices of humour.

At a push, two slight criticisms: Throughout, he claims to be innocent of the crime that he was punished for (which I am a little dubious about after reading some of his exploits!); and I also felt he was a bit "over-modest" and too superhuman at times, but this does not taint the quality of the story at all...just minor niggles!

Also recommended is "Banco", the sequel to Papillon, in which Charriere describes his life on the straight and narrow....yeah,right.

Last point: Why on earth wasn't there a better film made? Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman are brilliant but the film was desperately disappointing. It would have been better to have made two or three 2-hour films (a la Kane and Abel) and done the book justice.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars What a read! 22 Jan 2006
By ivorbook
Format:Paperback
This is one of few books that I continue to reread every few years cover to cover. The book is conversational in tone but the experiences are so personal and extreme that you feel that you have met and know Henri.

There is a great deal of humour and wisdom in the book unlike the disapointing film version which was standardised prison break adventure.

A difficult book to sum up but it has always amazed me that Henri found so much goodness in people, so much to admire in the most bleak and unlikely surroundings.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars You Want To Put It Down! 14 July 2005
By Stupot
Format:Paperback
This is simply one of my favourite books and a must read for anyone with a sense of adventure. The authors descriptions of the conditions he has to endure during both imprisonment and escape are vivid and this provides the book with a real edge. I often wondered what hell he would have to endure next or which of his colleagues would be left for dead or captured. I read it whilst on holiday and couldn't put it down...worth putting your hand in your pocket for!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!
Bought this as I saw someone reading it on the train, great read, so much depth and detail in each page!
Published 18 hours ago by MishMash
5.0 out of 5 stars A narrative tale without parallel
This is a unique telling of a unique tale. But, in many ways it is a universalist story that applies in specifics to many and in generality to everyone. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Dr John N Sutherland
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Such an exciting and intriguing book. Never a dull moment! Not the sort of book I would usually go for but definitely worth the read! Amazing.
Published 11 days ago by Rebecca
5.0 out of 5 stars Added to my favourites
The voice of Papillon is unique and eloquent without being strange or difficult to understand. His imagery and emotional descriptions of harrowing situations give an insight into... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bourne1886
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
After watching the film (several times!) I decided to read the book - it does not disappoint. Thoroughly recommend this.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Dl Kirk
5.0 out of 5 stars Pappion
I absolutly loved this book best book of it's time I really do reccomend reading it absolutly fantastic 5 star no Dout about it :-)
Published 1 month ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars honestly one of the best books iv read
love this book it grips you from start to finish i love how the author never feels sorry for himself he always strives forward! Great read highly recommended
Published 1 month ago by laura
5.0 out of 5 stars Great.
Papillon is amongst my top 5 favourite books. I read this book as a child and again as an adult. I can tell you that on both occasions of reading this book I was not dissapointed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tabitha
5.0 out of 5 stars Papillon
It's been a long time since I have been so engrossed in a book, but this is a relatively modern day classic. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kg murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Papillion
In the past when I have been approached to write a review I have never really felt inclined to bother. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Georgia Nunney
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

There's a problem loading this menu at the moment.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.

    Your Shopping Basket is empty.

    Give it purpose -- fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    There's a problem previewing your shopping basket at the moment.

    Check your Internet connection and go to your cart, or try again.

    View Shopping Basket (0 items)

      Customer Discussions

      This product's forum
      Discussion Replies Latest Post
      True Story? 10 22 Jun 2012
      › See all discussions...  
      Start a new discussion
      Topic:
      First post:
      Prompts for sign-in
       


      Active discussions in related forums
      Search Customer Discussions
         
      Related forums

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback


      Amazon.co.uk Privacy Statement Amazon.co.uk Delivery Information Amazon.co.uk Returns & Exchanges