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.
Mens Charrière hævder, at hans fremstilling i Papillon hovedsagelig er sandfærdig, har senere undersøgelser hævdet, at det meste af bogens materiale kommer fra andre medfanger frem for Charrière selv.