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A review by paradise_library
The Prince of the Skies by Antonio Iturbe
4.0
We perhaps take air travel for granted, but in the early part of the 20th century, flying was a risky business. Pilots flew in terrible conditions in planes completely open and exposed to the elements.
One of these pilots was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - the author of Le Petit Prince. In this fictionalised memoir, we learn about the man before he became a household name.
It’s beautifully written and the author really conjures up the romance of Paris, the adrenaline-fuelled flights and the dangers of the desert. For those interested in history, this insight into early postal services really is fascinating.
However, it is a very slow book. It jumps rapidly from year to year and between the characters; although it’s interesting, it isn’t a book to whizz through in one sitting. If we view this book as a memoir, the timeline does provide credibility - as we all know life is not a carefully planned plot - but its pace and lack of a hook may deter readers.
While the character of Antoine is examined and described in great detail, we lack information on his companions; although he is the main character, it would have been more compelling to have the same level of analysis of his friends. That said, the book is already a hefty tome and any longer might prove unforgiving!
But the quality of the prose, and the dedication of the author, offers a satisfying novel that provides a rare insight into this period of history, as well as the short life of the little prince’s creator.
I was provided with a copy of the book by the publisher for Random Things Tours. All opinions my own.
One of these pilots was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - the author of Le Petit Prince. In this fictionalised memoir, we learn about the man before he became a household name.
It’s beautifully written and the author really conjures up the romance of Paris, the adrenaline-fuelled flights and the dangers of the desert. For those interested in history, this insight into early postal services really is fascinating.
However, it is a very slow book. It jumps rapidly from year to year and between the characters; although it’s interesting, it isn’t a book to whizz through in one sitting. If we view this book as a memoir, the timeline does provide credibility - as we all know life is not a carefully planned plot - but its pace and lack of a hook may deter readers.
While the character of Antoine is examined and described in great detail, we lack information on his companions; although he is the main character, it would have been more compelling to have the same level of analysis of his friends. That said, the book is already a hefty tome and any longer might prove unforgiving!
But the quality of the prose, and the dedication of the author, offers a satisfying novel that provides a rare insight into this period of history, as well as the short life of the little prince’s creator.
I was provided with a copy of the book by the publisher for Random Things Tours. All opinions my own.