The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Richard Howard Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Little Prince
Book Review: Bad Packaging
Summary: 4 Stars
As much as I love and adore this book, I was disappointed to find that my book was carelessly packaged. The ends of my book were bent pretty bad in the box and there appeared to be dirty marks on a couple of the pages. However, this is an amazing book with a great message for everyone to take in.Book Review: Beautiful Classic on Matters of the Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
I will review the book first then make some comments on the translation.
This is perhaps the best children's book written. I read it for the first time (Woods translation) a couple of weeks ago, and am glad that I did. Young and old alike can enjoy and treasure it. The fox is a great teacher about friendship, and how one truly sees only with the heart. Plus, the Little Prince's descriptions of the grownups he encountered on various planets is a concise but brilliant satire on how people lose sight of the forest for the trees as they get older. This is a must-have for anyone.
Now for the translation. Here are some excerpts from the old and new translations so that you can compare them.
Old Translation:
"For what the king fundamentally insisted upon was that his authority should be respected. He tolerated no disobedience. He was an absolute monarch. But, because he was a very good man, he made his orders reasonable."
New Translation:
"For the king insisted that his authority be universally respected. He would tolerate no disobedience, being an absolute monarch. But since he was a kindly man, all his commands were reasonable."
Old Translation:
"Go and look again at the roses. You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world. Then come back to say goodbye to me, and I will make you a present of a secret."
New Translation:
"Go look at the roses again. You'll understand that yours is the only rose in all the world. The come back to say good-bye, and I'll make you the gift of a secret."
I read the old translation first, having checked it out from the library. I'm not sure how to describe the niceties of the grammatical differences between the translations, but the Woods translation to me seems more poetic, whereas the new translation seems to be more colloquial. I don't think that the new translation prevents you from enjoying the story at all, and I think it's great that the full-color art was restored. In other words, I don't think that this new edition should be avoided; it's well-worth buying and reading. Still, I personally think it would be a good idea to read the old translation. You can probably find it at your local library, or from one of the used book sellers here on Amazon.
Book Review: Best Auther, Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so happy to tell you that this book is awesome. I have read it in three different languages and it is my fave of all books I've read. It touches on the little things in life and lets you see how wonderful the world is when we all take a look from the outside in.Book Review: Better to read a phonebook than the new translation
Summary: 5 Stars
Please, please, please seek out the original translation instead of the new, "improved" edition. Yes, an occasional line from the Katherine Woods translation may sound strange to modern readers, but the new translation is artless by comparison. I shudder to think of the generation of children who will be cheated out of the poetic beauty of the original. Few things are ever improved by being "Americanized."Book Review: Book of Imagination
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is about a little boy who is from a planet far away discovered not long ago. The planet is about as big as and average sized house. Wow, that's small! This is a very interesting book, not a book that will excite you, but it is a fun book to read. It is not a very long book at all, but it is long enough to take about two days if you are an average reader. My favorite part is when The Little Prince finds the snake and talks to him. I think that this book is a bit confusing, but after I read all of it, it made perfect sense. This is a book I think everyone can enjoy. In this book you have to use your imagination. It will take you from planet to planet and all around the world and galaxy. I think you should read this great book.