The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is one of the most beloved children’s classics of all times. I read it quite a few years back and it obviously didn’t stick with me because rereading it this time was like reading it for the first time. And do you know what? The Little Prince is just okay for me. I’m not falling head over heels in love with it. I’m not really sure what the big deal is supposed to be. In fact, this tiny little slime volume hung out in my car for over a week. That’s how long it took me to read this little book about a little prince. Do children even really like this book? Because it seemed way to deep. I’m not saying that kids can’t handle deep because they can, but even I found it to preachy for my tastes.
The Little Prince is about the author reminiscing over the time when his plane was stuck in the Sahara Desert. While trying to fix it he meets the little prince who simply won’t leave him alone. But yet no matter how annoying the little prince is, the author can’t help having a soft spot in his heart for him. The little prince lives alone on a tiny planet where he owns three volcanoes, and a flower. It’s this flower that the little prince loves but he can’t handle her pride and vanity and he decides to abandon her (how’s that for loyalty!). He travels throughout the galaxy, meeting various inhabitants of other planets and finally makes his way to Earth where he meets a snake, a fox, more flowers, and our narrator. Each one of his meetings leaves the little prince with more to ponder and lessons learned.
A few quotes from The Little Prince:
‘The fact is that I did not know how to understand anything! I ought to have judged by deeds and not by words.’
‘To me [said the fox], you are still nothing more that a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . .’
‘And now here is my secret’ [said the fox], ‘a very simply secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’
‘What is essential is invisible to the eye,’ the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.
‘It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.’
‘It is the time I have wasted for my rose - ‘ said the little prince, so that he would be sure to remember.
‘Men have forgotten this truth,’ said the fox. ‘But you must not forget it. you become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. you are responsible for your rose . . . ‘
‘I am responsible for my rose,’ the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.’
So I couldn’t help but read the back cover of my copy of The Little Prince which states, “There are few stories that in some way, in some degree, change the world forever for their readers. This is one.” Umm . . . sorry, not today. Maybe it was just a bad time to read this one, but it just didn’t do anything for me. I don’t think my world will be changed forever even in the slightest.
Is this blasphemy? Have you read it? What do you think?
I haven’t read this book in years, but remember having pretty much the same reaction as you. I’ve also read a lot of literature on this book and some even call it a “children’s book not for children” due to its messaging. Glad I’m not the only one who felt this way!
on June 28th, 2008 at 5:52 amI was actually thinking of re-reading this book for the 24 hour read-a-thon today (which I am only partially participating in). My first taste of this book was in a college french course and I fell in love with the wit in this book–but I agree that it doesn’t really seem to be a children’s book at all. My copy I think is a little over 80 pages and it took me several days to read it (in English).
on June 28th, 2008 at 6:47 amI first read this book in my high school French class where the French original was an assignment and I loved it. I still own the French and English versions and try to read them both about once a year (partly because I have to read the English first, or I can’t remember enough French to get through it).
It does seem like mosto f it would go over kids’ heads, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is somethign that at least certain kids would still enjoy.
on June 28th, 2008 at 7:59 amI adore The Little Prince although I read it first as an adult. I love it because it is whimsical, and very beautiful, and very sad.
on June 28th, 2008 at 9:01 amI first read this book when I was I think, ten or twelve years old. At the time, I thought it was amazingly profound, poetic, sad and wise. I loved it! I’ve read it many times since then and it still charms me, but that’s probably a lot of nostalgia for an old favorite. I think if I approached it first as an adult, I would have a different reaction and not love it so much.
on June 28th, 2008 at 11:06 amI think it’s a wonderful book but I read it in French and I think it does lose something in the translation to English.
on June 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pmInteresting! One of my good friends swears is the “must read” book for everyone. I was expecting to read a raving review of it. Now I’ll definitely have to read it! I like to have 2 reviews that cancel each other out!
on June 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pmI also read this in my high school French class in the original French, and at the time, I did enjoy it. It could have been partly the thrill of reading an entire book in French and actually understanding all of it, but at the time I did think it was a very sweet little book. Maybe not a kid’s book, though… there are a lot of “morals” in this story for it to be considered a kids’ book.
on June 28th, 2008 at 6:21 pmThis is in my pile for this week. So I didn’t read all of your post because I don’t want to know too much. But I’ll be back this week to weigh in on what I think about it!
on June 28th, 2008 at 10:34 pmI think the problem may be with the translation. Sometimes books that are wonderful in their native tongue come out seeming pretentious and choppy when translated. I’ve never read this one though so I couldn’t tell you. I have the French version, which I was supposed to read for a class but I never got around to it. My sister read it in French though and she loved it…
on June 29th, 2008 at 12:26 amOMG “Le petit prince” !! I’ve been read the stories since I was little.. It’s very popular here in Quebec and they even had the play
on July 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 amI have not read this but I remember that my friends who took French in high school had to read it and they either loved it or hated it.
on July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pmI think I need to read French and then reread this…
on July 7th, 2008 at 10:33 pmI meant, LEARN French….
on July 7th, 2008 at 10:34 pmI honestly don’t think that reading it in French would make a difference for me. I’m sure it is written more beautifully but the gist would be the same,would it not?
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