The Little Prince is a beloved illustrated children’s book read the world over. It was first published in 1943 by the French author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The book touches on universal themes like love and loss, friendship and loyalty, and responsibility. These themes, paired with charming, whimsical drawings depicting a moving tale, have made The Little Prince one of the world’s most widely read stories. These eight facts can help us understand the enduring legacy of this book.
8 Saint-Exupéry Facts
1. An asteroid is named after the author. (Source)
The titular Prince character is from outer space, so planets, stars, and asteroids are a prominent theme in the book. In honor of this, astronomers named an asteroid after the author in 1975. It’s called “2578 Saint-Exupery.”
2. The Prince character and numerous images were inspired by Saint-Exupéry’s time as a pilot. (Source)
As a space-traveler, the Prince’s journey is full of images of flight and metaphors related to it. The Prince even wears a scarf often associated with pilots in the 1940s, and he first encounters the narrator at the site of a plane crash. The Prince encounters mechanics and various types of pilots and navigators in the story, and these things all have similarities to Saint-Exupéry’s time as a pilot.
3. The Little Prince is one of the most translated novels in the world. (Source)
The Little Prince has been translated into well over 300 languages, proving how universally beloved this story is.
4. The Rose character may be based on Saint-Exupéry’s wife. (Source)
Saint-Exupéry’s wife, Consuelo, was said to have similar moody behavior to the Rose character that the Prince is so enamored with. Many people theorize that the Rose is based on her, a theory that was given further credence when Consuelo’s autobiography was published with the title, The Tale of the Rose.
5. The Little Prince has enjoyed many different successful adaptations. (Source)
Adaptations of this novel include plays, ballets, graphic novels, films, musicals, and radio broadcasts. One of the most popular adaptations was a 1974 film musical starring Gene Wilder and Bob Fosse, as well as a recent animated film that earned critical acclaim.
6. Saint-Exupéry wrote other novels for adults, heavily inspired by his pilot experiences. (Source)
Saint-Exupéry’s first publication was a short story called L’Aviateur, followed by a novel called Southern Mail and his breakthrough book, Night Flight.
7. Saint-Exupéry disappeared during a flight near Grenoble, France, during World War II. (Source)
Saint-Exupéry was taking reconnaissance photos near Grenoble when he vanished. He was declared missing in action and then presumed shot down by the enemy. A French fisherman found his ID bracelet decades later, in 1998, off the coast of Marseille.
8. The Little Prince is chock-full of beloved quotes. (Source)
Some quotes are a bit cynical, such as, “all grown-ups were once children… but few of them remember it.” Others are poignant and full of beauty: “… one can only see well with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Featured image photo credit: Pixabay
