Short description
An immediate sensation upon its publication in 1969, Papillon is a vivid memoir of brutal penal colonies, daring prison breaks and heroic adventure on shark-infested seas.
Long description
An immediate sensation upon its publication in 1969, Papillon is a vivid memoir of brutal penal colonies, daring prison breaks and heroic adventure on shark-infested seas. Condemned for a murder he did not commit, Henri Charriere, nicknamed Papillon, was sent to the penal colony of French Guiana. Forty-two days after his arrival he made his first break for freedom, travelling a thousand gruelling miles in an open boat. He was recaptured and put into solitary confinement but his spirit remained untamed: over thirteen years he made nine incredible escapes, including from the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island. This edition of Papillon, one of the greatest adventure stories ever told, includes an exclusive new essay by Howard Marks.
Review
'An exceptional writer.' Peter Matthieson'A novelist of dazzling ingenuity' San Francisco Chronicle'A distinctive voice, polished and profound' Times Literary Supplement'An absorbing story of a world in transition, brought to life through characters who love and suffer with equal intensity.' JM Coetzee'Ghosh is one of the most sympathetic post-colonial voices to be heard today. He looks at love and loyalty, and examines the question of Empire and responsibility, of tradition and modernity.' Ahdaf Souief'Ghosh has established himself as one of the finest prose writers of his generation of Indians writing in English' Financial Times'Amitav Ghosh is such a fascinating and seductive writer...a deeply serious writer, sure of his human and historical insights and confident in his ability to communicate them. I cannot think of another contemporary writer with whom it would be this thrilling to go so far, so fast' The Times'Ghosh seamlessly blends ideas about the power of the photographic image with unforgettable descriptions of nature -- in a thoroughly enjoyable, intelligent epic that's bound to win him a wide and grateful readership'. Kirkus Reviews'Ghosh's voice remains distinctive...it has a lush and sensuous quality which renders even the most historical of passages wonderfully readable.' Belfast Telegraph'As always Ghosh wields his pen lightly, with supple prose being the order of the day.' Sunday Business Post'Ghosh vividly brings to life the history of Burma and Malaya over a century of momentous change in this teeming, multigenerational saga.' Publishers Weekly'You feel that Ghosh speaks with the true voice of the sub-continent, wise, superstitious and set firmly in age-old ritual.' Birmingham Post'I will never forget the young and old Rajkumar, Dolly, the Princesses, the forests of teak, the wealth that made families and wars. A wonderful novel. An incredible story.' Grace Paley