Papillon is such an enjoyable read, simply written, personal and not at all laboured. Its very human, though in a weird way. The prisoners are pretty much just unpredictable and a law unto themselves (as you'd expect) The prison guards are generally The Enemy and for the most part portrayed as sadistic. Then there are those who help him on the occasions he gets free of the colony but is not yet home-and-dry. You can feel that these last set of people have been elevated to the status of saints in Papillon's eyes (except, conversely a group of Nuns).
I have never come across anyone, in a book or in life who has half his determination and tenacity. His strength of mind and character are no less remarkable either, the man survived three and a half years in solitary confinement (in two stints) without it affecting his mental health, half starved, in a tiny cell, watched from a walkway above 24/7 and not allowed to say a word or be spoken to. Papillon is also particularly charismatic, must be for so many of his fellow prisoners to put their lives in his hands and to naturally take him as a leader. All in all it is brilliant to have him talking to you for a couple of weeks, and you're a little bit in love with him for most of the book. His only flaw seems to be the way he treats the women he gets involved with. The last one he abandons without saying a word (and not because he couldn't say anything either) This is the only time in the whole book and around 10 years in the penal system and all the horrific things he has to bear that you think, Papillon, no need.
Next up is The Universe According to Alex Woods by Gavin Extence, which I have been giggling my way through for a couple of days now. Reading it is like cutting through butter so chattings about that will no doubt be up in a day or two.
