Henri Charrière
Henri Charrière was a French writer and convict who is best known for his autobiographical novel 'Papillon', published in 1969. The novel details his alleged escape from the notorious penal colony of Devil's Island in French Guiana. Charrière claimed that 'Papillon' was largely true, based on his own experiences, although some parts of the book are considered fictionalized. The book was an instant success and has been adapted into films. Charrière's nickname 'Papillon' (French for 'butterfly') is said to have come from the butterfly tattoo on his chest.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Papillon
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.
