Similar to The Alchemist, The Little Prince is a metaphorical tale that people seem to love or not.
“In the face of an overpowering mystery, you don’t dare disobey. Absurd as it seemed, a thousand miles from all inhabited regions and in danger of death, I took a scrap of paper and a pen out of my pocket.” pg 4
A pilot crashes in the desert and discovers a child wandering around who claims to be from another planet. His planet is so small that the prince can see multiple sunsets by simply moving his chair. And there’s a rose with four thorns that the prince loves. But he left this planet because of a disagreement with the rose. After a series of adventures where he meets dysfunctional adults on other planets, sees that his rose isn’t the only rose in the universe and learns about love from a fox, the prince decides he wants to go back home.
How he’s going to do that is not really clear.
So that’s the literal story.
The allegorical part has to do with how differently children perceive life than adults, what love is or means and how growing up, change or death affects love… among other things.
Here is my secret. It’s quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” pg 63
I felt like there were layers to this story that I haven’t grasped yet. I suppose this could also be about a man contemplating his inner child. Then again, I suppose this story could be about a lot of things.
This was the first time I’ve ever read it and, to my amusement, when I checked it out from the library, my 12-year-old said she has already read it. I asked her what she thought of it and she just shrugged her shoulders. I liked it more than a simple shoulder shrug, but, in conclusion, I think there was stuff I was missing.
This book has been adapted for the screen a couple times. One of the latest was in 2015.
Thanks for reading!
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The Help Desk Book Blog 
I loved the Little Prince. My son read it a few summers ago and liked it. To me, I don’t see the connection between it and The Alchemist (one of my favorite books), but that’s okay. I love hearing how things connect.
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I first read “The Little Prince” at the age of nine, I think, and read it in French in high school. I have always adored this book, full as it is with insights and compassion. I especially loved the fox’s story and his statement, “Now that you have tamed me, you are responsible for me”. That says a great deal quite succinctly, doesn’t it?
I enjoy your posts and wonder if you might reciprocate and follow my blog as well? It’s new and I can use all the followers I can attract. Thanks so much!!
Karen Virginia Flaxman (a.k.a. Ellen C. Lee
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