The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

In The Little Prince, a small boy leaves the tiny planet on which he lives alone, on a trip to Earth, where he is introduced to the vagaries of adult behaviour. On one level this work is the story of an airman's discovery of a small boy from another planet in the desert and his stories of intergalactic travel, and on the other hand it is a thought-provoking allegory of the human condition. (Taken Goodreads from Book Depository)

Genre: Children's Fiction
Publisher:  Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Year: 1943

Le Petit Prince by French author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is one of those 'must read' novels. The type of story that is full of philosophical pondering, keen observation and poetic prose. The kind of novel that moves people. With a reputation like that, I had to read it. 

Sadly, my experience with this novel didn't match up to that of others. Maybe I wasn't in the right mind frame for such a book, but my experience when something like this... 

I settle myself down to read, with high expectations. I am ready to be wowed. I am ready to laugh and cry and be moved. Or so I thought.

I start to read. At first, I am a little surprised at the style of writing. It's so simple. It reads like a kids book. Oh wait, it is a kids book. I rearrange my thoughts and begin again. 

Reading... reading... I wonder if the washing is finished? I'll go check. 

Ok,, back to reading. I am really hungry. What's the time? *sigh* 2 hours until dinner. Ok, read!

Reading.. reading... God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you. Put it in the soul of every.... oh crap! CONCENTRATE. 

Back to reading.... 

I eventually got this very short book finished. 

"Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."

Quotes like this, from The Little Prince, make me even more disappointed that I did not connect with this novel. I am putting it down to lack of concentration for now, but it's sad to think that I have become a boring, old adult!

I cannot review this book. I cannot tell you to read it, I can't say this was one of the best books I have ever read. I can't even say I liked it. All I can say is that I will try it again one day in the future when I am not preoccupied with other things. It probably is a great book. If you pay close attention and can forget all those adult things.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K Rowling

As much as I love reading a good book for the first time and discovering new authors, sometimes it’s just as nice to revisit an old favourite. Old favourites have a way of providing us with warmth. It’s kind of like visiting a good friend who you know really well. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t spoken for a few years, all is forgiven because you are back now and that’s all that matters. You are always welcome and you always feel at home.

That is how I feel about the Harry Potter novels.

I spied Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, on my bookshelf the other night and I felt compelled to pick it up. To see what Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore were all up to. I sat down, intending to read for just a minute but quickly found myself transported back into the world of witches, wizards and muggles.

I was pleased to see that everyone was well, that you-know-who was still out of the picture for the moment and that my personal favourites, Fred and George Weasley, were still as amusing as I remembered.

I promised myself that I would stop reading once we reached platform 9 and 3 quarters but the lure of Hogwarts was all too tempting. Soon I was sitting in the great dining hall, experiencing the amazement and nerves of the first years, as they were sorted into their houses. The feast was magnificent as always and finally, I was able to put the novel down after an exhausting day of travel.

Soon, however, I got to thinking that Harry should really be starting classes soon so I resumed my reading, taking delight in meeting the teachers – even Snape who I have a soft spot for, despite all that will happen. There is some alluring about Snape.. something mysterious and interesting.. He is definitely one of my favourite characters in this series.

It was a pleasure to follow Harry through his first year at Hogwarts again. From those very shy, first meetings that will soon turn into brilliant friendships to discovering a world full of magic. It is all so sweet and all too familiar.

This series will always be one of my favourites and I look forward to reliving the rest of the novels… like all old friends, it’s important to pop in sometimes just to say hi and let them know that they are still loved.

Rating 5/5