The Little Prince

By: Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Richard Howard - translator

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 1 hr and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

A timeless classic. Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. The perfect audio companion, this Bolinda edition will capture the hearts of listeners of all ages.

The book has been translated into more than 160 languages and, to date has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. It is one of the top 50 best-selling books. It has been adapted into a movie musical by Lerner and Loewe, two different operas, as well as into an animated series. It is often used as a beginner's book for French language students.

A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see, standing before him, the most extraordinary little fellow. "Please," asks the stranger, "draw me a sheep." And the pilot realizes that when life's events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out pencil and paper... And thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed forever the world for its readers.

©2008 Antoine de Saint-Exupery (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Critic Reviews

"Humphrey Bower's crisp British accent describes the magical and unlikely friendship between the pilot who was struggling to survive and the boy who was trying to return to his tiny home planet. The pace is measured, and the tone grows more melancholy as the narrator resigns himself to the loss of his extraordinary companion." ( AudioFile)

quirky sweet

A story I totally missed in my 70-year life, but a sweet little tale with a quirky mix of childish fantasy and adult concerns.

17 of 17 people found this review helpful

A children's story for adults

This book was an enjoyable, sweet read. I laughed out loud a few times at the unexpectedly wry humor. The ending made me cry, but it was bittersweet more than incredibly sad. The narrator had a deep, rich voice; it was like listening to a grandfather telling a bedtime story. He tells the story nice and slow, and I could hear the emotions in it.

My mother and I both enjoyed this story on a long trip back from the doctor during rush hour traffic. I would recommend it to almost anyone looking for a funny, gentle story. However, I do feel compelled to mention that when I was a child, this story would have been much too slow for me. I wouldn't have had the patience for it. It's a family-friendly story, but I wouldn't actually make small children sit through it.

33 of 34 people found this review helpful

Charming - A Timeless Classic Full of Sincerity

A beautiful little story for children and those who remember what it was like to be children. It made me laugh and smile and broke my heart.

Humphrey Bower's narration is perfection - the icing on an already delicious cake. His voice will make you want to look up at the stars, think of long-gone friends, and somehow - manage to hear their laughter.

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

Written for a younger audience, but a nice story

A lovely story. I listened to this directly after The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, which probably wasn't the best precursor... This book provides a rare chance to reflect on what really makes things special.

The book does an excellent job of putting forward some very deep ideas and concepts, in a way clearly written for the younger listener. However even as an adult this book was enjoyable... I just had to reflect on it before I realised that I liked it.

Very well narrated by Humphrey Bower, full marks there.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

An outstanding performance

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Because the story is good and very well told. It may be a tale for children, but it's not childish.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Little Prince?

The farewell of the fox: I have read it in a book and seen it in a film, but this audible version is simply remarkable, Must be listened to!

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Besides being very discernible, he can transmit a feeling and a pathos as very few actors/speakers. If you've just read the book, you would never suspect the intensity of feeling enclosed in the tale. Even the film I saw wasn't so good.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried, but because the tale evocates noble feelings. I wouldn't say that the tale is a sad one, but a beautiful one so beautiful since we are not used to such tales because we see them so seldom.

Any additional comments?

There's nothing like a good tale told with heart.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Great narration!

I got this book, without really knowing much about the story or the author, after listening to Humphrey Bower's great read of The Power of One. This is a fantastic story that is brought to life by a wonderful narrator. I highly recommend it.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

Would you listen to The Little Prince again? Why?

Yes, I like the reader's voice and expression. The story is absolutely inspirational and moving.

What did you like best about this story?

The meaning.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Little Prince's conversations about the meaning of life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the Little Prince gets very upset because the love he gave his rose made it so very special and unique.

Any additional comments?

Everyone would benifit from reading this book often!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Wow.

I bought this classic book (in paper format) many years ago to read to my kids. I started reading it to them twice, but never got far before giving up. To be honest, I wondered what the fuss was about. But then I never got past the first quarter or so of the book.

The nice thing about audible books is, unlike a regular book, it's easier to keep reading than it is to stop. So, I decided to give this book a second chance yesterday when Audible put it on sale. I bought it and listened from start to finish. Wow, I'm sure glad I did.

The story is very original. It tells the tale of a space-travelling child who meets an air-travelling adult. The final three quarters of the book sets out a profound and poignant view of life and does so in such a way that you can never quite decide whether it's aimed at children or adults.

The story is very touching and thought-provoking and a good use of two hours of your life (or your kids’ lives). Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

brilliant

a great listen and amazing story

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

Ageless!

This is a wonderful story, at any age, and with Humphrey Bower narrating, it was sheer pleasure to listen to...

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Every Adult should listen to this book

Every adult that thinks that they're super-grown-up should listen to this book, especially those that think that it's a book for kids that they would never ever read.

Meet The King, The Important Man who is more like a mushroom, the sheep in a box, The Vain Rose, The Drunkard, our protagonist and of course The Little Prince, who once he has hold of a question, will never be fobbed off with an unsatisfactory answer or lie.

Arguably a manual on how not to take oneself so seriously. Yet profoundly funny and moving. Lovely.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

The Little Prince UNABRIDGED

Everyone should read this book, it reminds you about your inner child, about the simple things in life, the things we see everyday but do not notice, about life and death.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Wise and simple

A timeless story with many metaphors on how to live and let go, being truly present and connecting what is really important.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Love it!

I listen to it as my bedtime story. The beautiful reading is so pleasant to listen to!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

it was amazing! I like how he tells the story! ama

It was amazing! I like how he tells the story very much! great great great

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I must be missing something

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Bought this as I like Life Lesson books, but I must be missing something here?!



I wouldn't go as far as saying it was terrible, but maybe I'm missing "some" point, but it appeared a waste of time --- maybe I'm just used to different "life lesson" books and this story didn't work/resonate.

There are a few references to pictures in the book which you miss out on in the audible book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Magic

This is such a fantastic story, looking from a wholistic view, great reminders for us to live by, tears of joy of wise innocents, I shed listening again to this story that inspired me so many years ago. I have brought many copies of this book and given to every newborn in my life. On listening again after so many years I am so glad I shared it, the Truth of this message never changes.....

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Important things can only be seen by the heart

I was twelve or thirteen when I first read this book, our home was cold, there was no fuel or money, and we had very little food; I, we were hungry all the time, the country where I was born was falling apart. We were waiting for papers to escape when the Little prince took my hand and let me be a child again, and I was not the only one; many of my friends were reading the book I guess we all needed to not be adults, to stop thinking of Marx or Capitalism, to look at the stars, and find a rose or a girl to love; to see her with our heart.

We would draw the boa that looked like a hat and ask new friends if they knew what it was, and if they knew we could be children together and if not the book would be lended so that they could meet our friend and forget that we were hungry and afraid of the future, of the growing violence in our streets.

I am fifty six years old now and my home is warm, my food is good, and I have many, many roses in my garden all of them singular, also foxes and my dog play in this garden and the odd dear visits it too, the country I live in is peaceful and beautiful, the one I came from has become more peaceful. I still read The Little Prince and remember the good in my childhood through the good in this pages, and the hope they gave me when I have needed it most.

I have given many copies of this book to children of all ages and I recommended to children of all ages, all the time, because no matter what your circumstances you need a friend like The Little Prince to remind you of what is important and why we need to be tamed or singular to someone special or how to see with our heart, and that is worth to risk tears for love.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Lovely book with a certain charm.

Love this story. Certainly left you wondering (in a good way). Would recommend to everyone

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful and whimsical

The narration:
Beautifully performed, I really enjoyed Bower’s reading. The characters are easy to tell apart, and his performance is engaging. Very pleasant listening.

The story:
Not for me. I can see why children like it, but for me it felt more like a boring version of Alice in Wonderland: random curious events strung together. But unlike Alice, there’s no connecting purpose—Alice wanted to get home, the Prince is just bouncing around because reasons I guess. The ending was poignant, but honestly I doubt I’ll read it again.

I’d say, if you like fairy tales, or like the story already, then it’s definitely worth it. Bower’s reading elevates it from mediocre to likeable. If you want a story with an engaging plot…this ain’t it chief.