Analysis and reception

The Little Prince draws unflattering portraits of grown-ups as being hopelessly narrow-minded. In contrast, children come to wisdom through open-mindedness and a willingness to explore the world around them and within themselves. The main theme of the fable is expressed in the secret that the fox tells the little prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly: what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

French- and English-language versions of the novella were published in April 1943 (though the book did not appear in France until 1946). Critics were unsure what to make of The Little Prince, and it was not immediately popular. It was unclear whether the book was meant for children or adults, though British writer P.L. Travers said that it had the necessary ingredients for a children’s book in that “it is true in the most inward sense, it offers no explanations and it has a moral.” However, the novella ultimately became a beloved classic, its story resonating with readers of all ages. Saint-Exupéry had little time to enjoy its success. The same month that the book was published, he joined the Free French Air Force, and in July 1944 he disappeared while flying a reconnaissance mission, reportedly shot down.

Many critics drew parallels between the characters and events of The Little Prince and the life of its author, who wrote the book while living in New York City, having fled the turmoil of World War II in France. Like the narrator, Saint-Exupéry was a pilot who experienced a plane crash in a desert (Libya). His wife, Consuelo, is also said to have had erratic behaviour similar to that of the prince’s rose—a parallel further emphasized by Consuelo’s later autobiography, The Tale of the Rose (written in 1945 and published 2000). Thus, the narrator and little prince have been viewed as expressions of different aspects of Saint-Exupéry himself. This theory is explored in the 2018 documentary Invisible Essence: The Little Prince, which also discusses the work’s themes and legacy.

Adaptations

The enduring appeal of The Little Prince resulted in numerous adaptations around the world, from radio plays and films to operas, ballets, and theatre productions. Notable movies included Stanley Donen’s 1974 musical, featuring Bob Fosse and Gene Wilder, and a 2015 animated film with voice work by Jeff Bridges and Rachel McAdams. A French TV series inspired by the novella aired from 2010 to 2017. In 2016 the National Ballet of Canada performed its own adaptation. In addition, cocreator Nicholas Lloyd Webber, son of famed British composer and theatrical producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, debuted the stage musical The Little Prince in 2011.