Papillon in Retro Chapter Chicks

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Dec 2019: The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman
By Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴… , Founding Retro Chick · 51 posts · 18 views

last updated Nov 30, 2020 08:05AM

December 2017 Buddy Read: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
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last updated Oct 29, 2020 11:12AM

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Mar 01, 2019 Kelly rated it liked it

Shelves: biography-memoir, 2019-52-book-challenge

I read this book as part of my "Epic 52 Week Book Challenge" for the category, Read a Book and Then Watch the Movie; Discuss Which is Better. Usually I'm on the side of the book because, well, the book is usually better!! In this case, it's a tough call. Considering that it's a true story and the book was a memoir written by the man who experienced all these things himself... and then the movie (2017 version) brought it to life in a way I'm sure he could have only imagined, both were great in th I read this book as part of my "Epic 52 Week Book Challenge" for the category, Read a Book and Then Watch the Movie; Discuss Which is Better. Usually I'm on the side of the book because, well, the book is usually better!! In this case, it's a tough call. Considering that it's a true story and the book was a memoir written by the man who experienced all these things himself... and then the movie (2017 version) brought it to life in a way I'm sure he could have only imagined, both were great in their own way.

I was mesmerized by the book and then also by the movie about a man imprisoned by France in their penal colonies in South America in the 1930s and his subsequent escapes (yes, escapeS plural). (Side note: my first choice was to watch the 1973 version of the movie but that wasn't the 'free' option on Amazon Prime TV.) ;) When reading the book, I noticed that the pace changed throughout. It was written as if the man, Henri Charriere, was re-living it all moment to moment. That meant that at times the writing was fast-paced and to the point, and others it was slower paced and more reflective. I felt that throughout the book, though, no matter the pace, Henri (called Papillon or Papi because of a butterfly tattoo on his chest) spoke directly from his heart. Even though he was quite the thug before prison and then while in prison (if not just to defend himself and the lives of his friends there), my heart went out to him. He endured great trials and suffering, specifically 7 total years of solitary confinement.

The movie didn't include all events, of course, and changed some of the sequence and detail of events. But I know that Henri was a consultant for the 1973 version of the movie. I like to think that he would be okay with the changes that were made. The movie really was beautiful, if not gruesome and heart-wrenching at times. It didn't hurt at all that Charlie Hunnam stars as Papillon. I'd probably say he did a good job for any part he plays ;) but really, he had an amazing way of portraying all kinds of emotion in this movie- hope, desperation, discouragement, defeat, and humility.

When getting ready to read the book, be prepared for that change of pace throughout. But stick with it. And in watching the movie, definitely watch without the kids and enjoy. ...more

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Aug 09, 2022 Celia marked it as over-500-pages · review of another edition

Shelves: not-translate, reading-the-wrld-open, reading-the-wrld, kindle-2-buy

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Dec 17, 2021 Amber K marked it as to-read

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