The Little Prince
First published in April 1943, ‘The Little Prince’ is a poetic tale by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry, a French aviator and writer whose works are the unique testimony of a pilot and a warrior who glanced at adventure and danger with a poet’s eyes. His fable ‘Le Petit Prince’ (The Little Prince) has become a modern classic. It is a tender tale of friendship, love, and loss in which, a pilot strands in the desert and meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid. The story is philosophical and includes social criticism, commenting on the strangeness of the adult world. While it looks like a children’s book, it targets adult relationships with deep thoughts on how adults perceive life with each other. The book will take its readers on a trip to see the world differently and learn what is really substantial. It is one of the most-translated books in the world and was voted the best book of the 20th century in France. Translated into 300 languages and dialects, selling nearly two million copies annually, it has become one of the best-selling books ever published, universally cherished by children and adults alike.
A Timeless Treasure
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince" is a captivating and timeless tale that has enchanted readers of all ages for generations. This seemingly simple story, with its whimsical illustrations and profound themes, explores the essence of life, love, loss, and the importance of seeing the world with a childlike wonder.
A Journey Through the Universe and the Human Heart:
The story follows the journey of a pilot stranded in the desert who encounters a young prince from a tiny asteroid. Through the prince's innocent perspective, we are invited to re-examine the complexities of the adult world and rediscover the simple joys and profound truths that often get lost in our daily routines.
Enduring Themes:
Despite its fantastical elements, "The Little Prince" tackles universal themes that resonate deeply with readers. The book explores themes of love, friendship, loss, loneliness, and the importance of looking beyond appearances to see the true beauty of things. These timeless themes are presented in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and values.
Poetic and Captivating Writing:
Saint-Exupéry's poetic and lyrical writing style adds a touch of magic to the narrative. His simple yet profound prose captures the wonder and innocence of the Little Prince's perspective, making the story both enchanting and deeply moving. The book is also beautifully illustrated by the author himself, adding a visual dimension to the story and further enhancing its charm and impact.
Strengths:
- Timeless themes: Explores universal truths that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
- Enchanting and whimsical story: Captures the imagination and invites readers to rediscover the world with a childlike wonder.
- Poetic and lyrical writing: Adds a touch of magic to the narrative and makes the story deeply moving.
- Beautiful illustrations: Enhance the story and add a visual dimension to the experience.
Weaknesses:
- Short and simple: The book's brevity may leave some readers wanting more.
- Open to interpretation: The open-ended nature of the story can be challenging for readers seeking a clear-cut resolution.
Overall Impression:
"The Little Prince" is an enchanting and timeless masterpiece that deserves its place as a classic of modern literature. Though seemingly simple, it offers profound insights into the human condition and the true meaning of life. With its charming narrative, captivating writing, and beautiful illustrations, "The Little Prince" is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for readers of all ages, from young children to adults. This timeless classic is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that will stay with them for years to come. It is also an excellent resource for parents and educators seeking to introduce children to important themes and values in an engaging and accessible way.
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Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Author 
Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger de Saint-Exupéry, best known as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was a French writer, aviator, and pioneering aviator. Born on June 29, 1900, in Lyon, France, he became a literary figure celebrated for his timeless novella "The Little Prince" ("Le Petit Prince").
Early Life and Education: Saint-Exupéry was born into an aristocratic family. His father died when he was just four years old, and his mother moved the family to Le Mans. At an early age, Saint-Exupéry developed a fascination with aviation, and he dreamed of becoming a pilot. He attended a Jesuit school in Switzerland and later studied at the École supérieure de commerce in France.
Aviation Career: In 1921, Saint-Exupéry began his military service in the French Air Force. His experiences as a pilot laid the foundation for his future writings. He worked as an airmail pilot, contributing to the development of international postal flights. His career in aviation included pioneering flights across the Sahara Desert, experiences that later inspired his writing.
Literary Career: While working as an airmail pilot, Saint-Exupéry started writing about his experiences. His first book, "Southern Mail" ("Courrier Sud"), published in 1929, drew on his adventures in aviation. This was followed by "Night Flight" ("Vol de Nuit") in 1931, which won the Prix Femina.
In 1939, he published "Wind, Sand and Stars" ("Terre des hommes"), a memoir recounting his aviation experiences, including a crash in the Sahara Desert. This work won several literary prizes, including the Grand Prix du Roman de l'Académie française.
The Little Prince: Saint-Exupéry's most famous work, "The Little Prince," was published in 1943. This beloved novella, both written and illustrated by Saint-Exupéry, tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting various inhabitants and gaining insights into human nature. "The Little Prince" became one of the most-translated and best-selling books in the world, cherished by readers of all ages.
World War II and Disappearance: During World War II, Saint-Exupéry continued to fly reconnaissance missions for the Free French Air Force. In 1944, he disappeared without a trace during a mission over the Mediterranean. His plane was presumed to have been shot down, and for many years, the circumstances of his death remained a mystery.
Legacy: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's legacy endures through his literary contributions, particularly "The Little Prince." The themes of love, friendship, and the importance of seeing with the heart have resonated with readers worldwide. His adventurous spirit as an aviator and his philosophical reflections in his writings continue to inspire generations. In 1998, a fisherman discovered a silver bracelet belonging to Saint-Exupéry off the coast of Marseille, providing a tangible link to the author's final moments.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's life and work exemplify a unique blend of daring exploration, poetic reflection, and a deep understanding of the human condition, making him a cherished figure in both aviation history and world literature.
Unfortunately, as some of the other reviewers have mentioned, the publisher was a little sloppy and let a couple of typos slip through. (If not for that, this would be a five-star review for sure) If you are a book snob or a die-hard fan, this probably isn't the copy for you. However, if you simply want to enjoy the book and share it with someone else on the cheap, this is a great buy. Cheers!
The plot at first seems straightforward enough; the narrator meets a baffling young prince who gives him strange requests, and at first the story chronicles the prince's experience on his planet, and encountering other people on other planets, each of them an allegory for a kind of adult someone might grow to become, and most of them aren't very favourable depictions. The prince develops a friendship with the narrator, and this allows him to share his experiences of travelling with him.
The language is simple enough, and the illustrations are beautiful. They reminded me of water colours, and although on my Kindle they're all in black and white, the image quality wasn't compromised. Apart from the plot, I think the main takeaway from The Little Prince is definitely the many beautiful and resonant quotes peppered throughout the book, from the fox's nuggets of wisdom to the narrator's observations of the prince.
Overall, a very delightful (if also feelsy) read.
So why must I give this book less than 5 stars? The new Howard translation manages to take the poetic wonder of the original and reduce it to a "grown up" version devoid of much of the magic in Katherine Woods' translation. Not having the proficiency needed to read it in the original language I can not be certain if what I loved as a child and learn from again and again as I grow older is there in the words that Antoine de Saint-Exupery penned. I strongly suspect that it is, as the story has been loved by people from almost countless cultures reading in numerous languages. The Woods version, published as the official English translation for the first 55 years or so after Saint-Exupery completed the French original, certainly conveys a poetic sense of wonder that is lacking in the newer Howard account. When I ordered this edition several months ago the description stated the text was the full, unedited translation by Woods. It appears Amazon has since corrected this oversight. I'm sure I was not the only person disappointed when the book arrived to discover the text was Howard's instead of Woods' translation.
If you've read the Woods translation already I can recommend this edition on the strength of the pop up art. If you have not read The Little Prince I would recommend you find a used copy of the Woods translation or look for it online.
