Papillon

Blurb

Papillon is a memoir by convicted felon and fugitive Henri Charrière, first published in France in 1969, describing his escape from Devil's Island, part of the French penal colony in French Guiana. It became an instant bestseller. It was translated into English from the original French by June P. Wilson and Walter B. Michaels for a 1970 edition, and later by author Patrick O'Brian. The book was adapted for a Hollywood 1973 film of the same name.
Charrière said that all events in the book were truthful and accurate, allowing for minor lapses in memory. Since the book's publication, there have been questions about its accuracy. Not all the events and jails which he describes correspond to the time frame of the events in the book. It is best regarded as a narrative novel, depicting the adventures of several of Charrière's fellow inmates, among them Charles Brunier.
Charrière reportedly had a reputation as a great storyteller. Critics have suggested that Papillon is more about a fictional character than the author. Charrière always said his account was true, and that he told the story to a professional writer, who drafted it in final form.