Papillon

Summary

Papillon is an autobiographical book by Henri Charrière, detailing his life following an unjust conviction for murder in France and his subsequent escape attempts from a high-security penal colony on the Guiana Archipelago. The book is named after the butterfly tattoo on the author's chest, symbolizing his yearning for freedom. The story spans Charrière's years of trials, his persistence and determination to break free, and numerous escape attempts, each recounted with details of bravery, betrayal, hope, and despair. Ultimately, Charrière manages to escape by boat to Venezuela, where he finds freedom and a new life.