The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Translated by Richard Howard
Reviewed by: Mike Joseph, Reference Assistant
Genre: Adventure
Suggested Age: All Ages
What is the book about?: The Little Prince is told through the eyes of an unnamed pilot. The pilot has crashed his plain in the dessert and is trying to repair his downed aircraft. With only 8 days of water the pilot begins work on his plane, and at the end of the first day he falls asleep. He is suddenly awakened by a little boy. “Please…draw me a sheep.” The pilot draws several different sheep that don’t suit the boy. In frustration he draws a box and says that the sheep the boy wants is inside. The boy is delighted. The pilot returns to work on his plane, while the boy asks numerous questions, but doesn’t answer any questions the pilot has for the boy. Little by little the pilot pieces together where the boy comes from, an asteroid named B-612. The pilot works for the next several days, listening to the little prince, learning where he came from. He learns that the little prince has a flower on his planet that talks to him. He learns that the little prince has to carefully uproot baobab trees or his planet will fall apart. He learns that the little prince left his home because he was sad, but being away from his home has only made the little prince realize how important his little planet was. The Pilot leaves his aircraft and begins walking, hoping to escape or be rescued. The little prince returns home, having changed the pilot’s life.
My review: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. It isn’t a grand saga or an epic tale. The author didn’t invent whole languages or build a detailed universe for his story. However, any man who can make me feel so moved in such a short amount of time, make me fall in love with his characters and cry after only 85 pages is an author that everyone should read.
The Little Prince is sold as a children’s book, and it can certainly be read as one. On the surface the content is simple and easy to digest. However, if you read The Little Prince as an adult you will see deeper meaning behind the story, and you will reflect on your life. The watercolor illustrations are not expertly done, but are enjoyable and pleasant to look at in addition to fitting in with the story. It is short and simple, and very impressive.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!