The
Little Prince (French: Le Petit Prince), first published in April 1943, is a
novella, the most famous work of French aristocrat, writer, poet, and
pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944).
The
novella has been voted the best book of the 20th century in France. Translated
into 300 languages and dialects, selling nearly two million copies annually,
and with year-to-date sales of over 140 million copies worldwide, it has become
one of the best-selling and most translated books ever published.
After
the outbreak of the Second World War, Saint-Exupéry escaped to North America.
Despite personal upheavals and failing health, he produced almost half of the
writings for which he would be remembered, including a tender tale of
loneliness, friendship, love, and loss, in the form of a young prince visiting
Earth. An earlier memoir by the author had recounted his aviation experiences
in the Sahara Desert, and he is thought to have drawn on those same experiences
in The Little Prince.
Since
its first publication, the novella has been adapted to numerous art forms and
media, including audio recordings, radio plays, live stage, film, television,
ballet, and opera.
Though
ostensibly styled as a children's book, The Little Prince makes several
observations about life and human nature.
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