adventure from a bygone age

Second reading after years away from this and it is still a great story of adventure and escape. I know now there is a lot of talk about the accuracy and if it actually occurred with the author, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. The only part I found now to be a bit suspicious is his sudden turn to "insanity" and the fact the guards would believe that coming from someone always trying to escape. Overall a good listen and a positive enlightened message from the author about the treatment of people in society.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Startling True Narrative

I picked up this book when I heard Ted Bundy read it repeatedly for inspiration when he escaped from prison in Colorado. It made me curious to see what it was about and I am glad I checked it out. 'Papillon' relates a harrowing tale of imprisonment in 1930s France, with transfer to French Guiana, shelter after an escape in a leper colony, desperate journeys in a small boat through hurricanes and shipwrecks, life with an indigenous tribe in the South American jungle, stints of years in solitary confinement on Devil's Island, and involvement in prisoner schemes/revolts/murders. The book relates jaw-dropping perseverance through escape, recapture, failed escapes, and escape again. Throughout is a dedication to revenge that kept the author alive. The story is truly incredible. The author clearly has some redeeming characteristics, but make no mistake - after organizing prison revolts (where men died), poisoning and beating prison guards, personally committing revenge murder, and smuggling dynamite into jail and using it - it's pretty clear Charrière is a scumbag. I no longer wonder why someone like Bundy would admire him. *Note: Henri Charrière is no author... but he presents these nearly unbelievable events so clearly and matter-of-factly, they exude authenticity. His story is just so compelling. This book reminded me of 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' rolled into one... except it really happened. Wow.

Michael Pritchard is an exemplary narrator. I have heard several books read by him before, and his pacing is a little slow on this one - but I tried speeding the rate and lost some of his impressive timbre and emotiveness. It was better to simply soak in the performance at normal speed. Pritchard does a slightly subpar but marvellous job.

Altogether, this recording rates 8.5 stars out of 10. I highly recommended you read this.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An odyssey

Very engaging and adventurous. The narrator has a bit of an old-school newscaster voice going on but I had no trouble getting passed that and enjoyed listening to this book very much.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Fabulous Adventure Story

The story was fabulous, the narrator was good but as Papillon was quite you a young voice would have been better.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Awesome

You know what, at first I didn’t like the narrator but I thought he did an absolutely solid job. The story itself is incredible and I loved every second of it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A great adventure

I enjoyed this book very much, the movies just can't compare. I think this is my favorite prison escape stories.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!