How many books has Henri Charrière written?

Henri Charrière published 2 novels that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Henri Charrière's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Papillon.

What is Henri Charrière's most famous book?

Papillon (1969) is Henri Charrière's most widely read book.

Does Henri Charrière write under a pen name?

Yes: Henri Charrière has also published as Papillon.

Which Henri Charrière books have been adapted?

2 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Papillon (film, 1973) and Banco (as Papillon, film, 2017).

Henri Charrière books in order

French convict and author

Lived: 1906–1973
Country: France
Books: 2
Also writes as: Papillon

Henri Charrière published 2 novels, beginning with Papillon (1969).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Henri Charrière

Start here
Papillon
Henri Charrière's most-read book.

Henri Charrière books in order of publication

Papillon (1969)
560 pages★ 4.5 (19 ratings)Adapted for film
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Banco (1973)
Adapted for film
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

Papillon (1973)Film · from Papillon
Papillon (2017)Film · from Papillon
Papillon (2017)Film · from Banco

About Henri Charrière

Henri Charrière was a French writer who was convicted of murder in 1931 by the French courts and pardoned in 1970. He wrote the 1969 novel Papillon, a memoir of his incarceration in and escape from a penal colony in French Guiana. While Charrière claimed that Papillon was largely true, modern researchers believe that much of the book's material came from other inmates, rather than Charrière himself. Charrière denied committing the murder, although he freely admitted to having committed various other petty crimes prior to his incarceration.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Henri Charrière FAQ

How many books has Henri Charrière written?: Henri Charrière published 2 novels that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Henri Charrière's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Papillon.
What is Henri Charrière's last book?: Banco (1973).
What is Henri Charrière's most famous book?: Papillon (1969) is Henri Charrière's most widely read book.
Does Henri Charrière write under a pen name?: Yes: Henri Charrière has also published as Papillon.
Which Henri Charrière books have been adapted?: 2 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Papillon (film, 1973) and Banco (as Papillon, film, 2017).