Papillon
Describes the life of a man sent to prison on a miserable island, Cayena, where escape is impossible. It is a terrible life for him but he finally escapes after much suffering.
Stats for nerds
7recommend
10mentions
8people
2013–2026years
70% recommend30% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Groving up: Papillon (Henri Charrière - 1969) & Samurai! (Saburo Sakai -1957) Lately: Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir - 2021) Obviously: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution - 25th anniversary edition (Steven Levy - 1984/2010) also: I've read all the books from David Thorne, last one: Let’s Eat Grandma’s Pills (David Thorne - 2022)
- "Papillon" is a great read. But it's veracity is highly suspect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papillon_(book)
- Hands down: Papillon by Henri Charrière. If you think you are going through a difficult period. If you don't know what resilience means. If you really want to change the way you see life. Read this book. Really.
- Riverworld by Philip José Farmer. It was a magnificent adventure and exploration of different philosophical ideas, especially for a teenager. It left me with the impression that even simple things can be mysterious and part of a bigger plan.
The star rover by Jack London. It helped me put in perspective some difficult moments and be a little bit more resilient. I also liked how much humanity and dignity the main character has, despite being held in jail in horrible conditions. I can say the same things about Papillon by Henri Charrière.
Neuromancer by William Gibson. Fueled my imagination and even gave me a semi-fantastical narrative to live by.
Ficciones by Borges. Like others said was mind opening.
Poésies by Arthur Rimbaud. A bit to play it off - and get laid - but on a more serious note I liked the rebelliousness and the romantic sense of infinite in his poems. I can still recall some bits of that "infinite".
- Papillon and its sequel Banco by Henri Charrière are probably my favorites. Their authenticity is questionable as actual autobiography, but as novels they're fantastic.
- > that it is actually possible for a significant number of prisoners to keep their smuggled items hidden once they get them in
Read 'Papillon' by Henri Charrière. The autobiography of a long-term prison inmate. Well written. It's amazing what people do to maintain some small freedoms in a coercive environment.
