Book: Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”
As we settle into the holidays and inevitably ignore the pile of homework on our desk, it seems like an apt opportunity to rekindle a joy for reading. This month, we delve into the beautiful and whimsical world of The Little Prince, a novella written by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which explores the existential concept of growing up and facing looming adulthood.
Poetically written, The Little Prince follows the journey of a pilot who crashes in the desert and meets a young prince visiting Earth from a faraway asteroid. Before arriving on Earth, the little prince dedicates time to exploring other parts of the universe, during which he encounters different adults who all signify a pointless aspect of adult existence. As the story continues, we meet a fox, a beautiful and vain rose, and a snake, all the while being entranced by enrapturing imagery and heartfelt writing.
For me personally, one of the most memorable parts of this novella occurs within the first few pages, when the narrator examines how a child and adult’s perspective differ vastly in something as mundane as a drawing. What the child sees clearly as an elephant being swallowed by a boa constrictor, an adult can only view as a hat. Segments such as these appear often in the story, juxtaposing a child and adult’s interpretation of the world.
Source: Research Gate/ Amir A Soltani
Source: Cannes Film Festival
Aside from the charming and innocently insightful character of the little prince, as well the personified beauty of roses and stars, The Little Prince includes an array of profound metaphors and meaningful allegories. During each and every reread, you will be bound to find minute details overlooked on the first read, which will only make this book more wonderful.
Happy reading!
