The greatest adventure story ever told (Papillon - Henri Charriere)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Papillon - Henri Charriere
Date:	09/11/08 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Translation is punchy and adrenaline filled

Disadvantages: Critics suggest a lot of the story is fictional

Like many in their twenties, I first read this book on recommedation from my dad, and I've since read it over and over.

Papillon is the autobiography of Henri Charriere. Sent to a penal colony for life in the early 1900s, the book charts the amazing tales of his escapes and re-captures.

Originally written in French, the translation is one of the best things about the whole book. It's written with such a snappy, punchy tone, that it's pure adrenaline to read.

The story is one long adventure, and as such will probably appeal more to males (I bought my favourite English teacher a copy when I left school and all she said was "It's very violent!")
And indeed it is, there's every sort of violence, murder, theft, even a bit of bestiality creeps in (don't worry, it's not Henri).

The only thing that worries me about this book is something my grandad said to me a few years ago, and has since been in the news; critics suggest that the story is not all true, and Henri lies a lot. I hate that idea, as the strength of the book is the 101 amazing adventures he gets in to. If they weren't true, what would be the point?

Summary: If you can ignore the critics and believe it, it's a top read.