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Papillon

By: Henri Charrière
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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Publisher's summary

Henri Charriere, called "Papillon" for the butterfly tattoo on his chest, was convicted in Paris in 1931 of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, he became obsessed with one goal: escape. After planning and executing a series of treacherous yet failed attempts over many years, he was eventually sent to the notorious prison Devil's Island, a place from which no one had ever escaped - until Papillon. His flight to freedom remains one of the most incredible feats of human cunning, will, and endurance ever undertaken.

Papillon, Charriere's astonishing autobiography, was published in France to instant acclaim in 1968, more than 20 years after his final escape. Since then, it has become a treasured classic - the gripping, shocking, ultimately uplifting odyssey of an innocent man who would not be defeated.

©1970 Henri Charriere (P)2012 HarperCollins Publisher
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What listeners say about Papillon

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Hypnotizing

I could wait to listen to this audiobook, and desperately looked for reasons to drive long distances to slip into Papillon’s stories. Great listen!

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A Wild Adventure Ride!

A fascinating story of Papillon’s journey to freedom. One can never fully appreciate the precious gift of freedom until one is denied a life without it. This was Papillon’s challenge of a lifetime. Papillon’s fire in the belly, courage, tenacity & downright ingenuity propelled & sustained him on this quest as he encountered unimaginable struggle. I was on this wild adventure ride with him! It was thrilling and exciting! I fell in love with the guy. He’s charming and very witty. Loved the way he expressed himself.

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Stunning story

Very compelling! How a person could go through all that he did, and still
rebuild a life. Many life lessons both big and small. Nuggets of gold all through the story.

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Wow

I love this book I never wanted it to end . I'm sure I will listen to it again someday soon !!

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Couldn't turn it off was so good

Kept me wanting to find out what was next. He was such a solid guy, really good story and well written.

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The most incredible, inspiring memoir ever penned

To leave a review, compels me—by necessity—to summarize something best left as a whole. The story is mythic in its tropes, epic in its breadth and utterly riveting in it’s entirety. It is a story so good, I would find it difficult to respect anyone who felt otherwise, and as someone with a (typically) open mind, that alone is unusual. If you never read another memoir, read Papillon. If there’s an inch of humanity in you, you will not regret it.

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Great story - but a bit too long

I read the book when I was a young man. And I really enjoyed listening to it as well. The story is fantastic and the narrator does a great work but sometimes the story drags on a bit too long.

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Narrated well...

The narrator help me picture every scene.. Good for a drive or travel listening. The narrator did a great job

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The story of a French safecracker.

Glorious, from the first words of the first notebook until the last sentence. I am glad to have taken this recommendation, and recommend it highly to everyone.

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a modern Odyssey

truly Incredible. I can't imagine any person going through everything that he endured. I was hooked from page 1 till the end.

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