While we’re self-quarantining, one thing many of us have been looking for to pass the time is a good book! If you’re looking for something to keep you company while social distancing, or to read to the family, you may want to find a copy of The Little Prince, the classic novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. First published 77 years ago (April, 1943) in France, it is a beautiful and heartwarming story that continues to be a favorite for the young, old, and everyone in between. If you don’t own a copy of the book, you can also find a film adaptation streaming on Netflix. Although The Little Prince was originally written as a children’s book, its themes of love, loneliness, and friendship have made it popular with readers of all ages.
Before Special Collections and University Archives closed to the public, our Literature and Rare Books staff received a generous donation of over 50 editions of The Little Prince published all over the world, translated in 38 languages! It’s a wonderful addition to our collections, covering topics ranging from book history to modernist literature.
The Little Prince has achieved worldwide popularity, and is one of the most widely translated works ever published. If you’re curious to see how cultures across the world read The Little Prince, make the Maryland Room one of your first stops when campus reopens! Whether you want to read The Little Prince in its original French, or perhaps take a look at the text in Catalan, Latin, Korean, Persian, Russian, Japanese, Turkish, or Tamachek… you can find an edition that will draw you into this classic story in new ways.
We are excited to return to Hornbake Library and begin cataloging this amazing collection of books so they are accessible to the community! For now: stay safe, stay home, and save lives!
Special Collections & University Archives 