Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Little Prince

I read The Little Prince when I was a child, so I didn't comprehend it fully. But as I grew older, Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s messages became easier to comprehend. I particularly liked The Adventures Of The Little Prince, an anime show aired in South America (my native continent) in the late 80s.

The Little Prince is definitely geared towards adults. He reflects on adulting responsibilities, relationships, the significance of imagination, and self-awareness:
'The men of your house said the little prince, "cultivate five thousand roses in the same garden, and they do not find what they seek."
"They do not find it," I replied.
-And yet what they are looking for could be found in a single rose or a little water...” (Pp77).

The story explores themes of materialism, close-mindedness, and the loss of creativity and innocence that come with adulthood. The author portrays the complexities and values of adulthood through the eyes of the little prince.

One unforgettable character in the story is the prince's melodramatic rose. The flower symbolises the emergence of love with its contrasting shades, level of toxicity, connection and abandonment, and longing.

I adore the prince’s existential reflections and comments on the puzzling world of adulthood. But I never could love the story's conclusion — and I almost sank into a sea of tears the first time I read it. However, the prospect of The Little Prince potentially returning to us draws me back to this story, offering consolation:
"Look carefully at this landscape to be sure of recognising it, if you travel to Africa one day in the desert. And, if you happen to pass by there, I beseech you, do not hurry, wait a little right under the star! If a child comes to you, if he laughs...if he does not answer when asked, you will guess who he is. So be nice! Do not leave me so sad: write to me quickly that he has come back…”(Pp86).

Content Warnings

dorythereader's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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miss_vonnegut's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

This book is a weird one to rate. Reading it as an adult, I really enjoyed it. (Keeping in mind that it's really dated and some things definitely don't hold up.) I wouldn't recommend it for kids or teens though, based on the ending. So 3 stars? 4? 3.5? Hard to say.

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charlotte_aurora_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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bookish_bry's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading this book. It was so engaging despite the fact that I'm an adult. I just loved the way the story weaved together.

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islesbiyana's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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