cptgaio

@Bob: I can’t answer your question about the denial from an older audience because I’ve never felt that way. When I go to the bookstore, I often find people of all ages recommending it to each other (and not just for the little ones). One thing I can say, though: right from the initial dedication, Saint-Exupéry clarifies many things, the first being that the intended "prince" (and pardon the pun) of the story is the world of childhood (the dedication is to a friend of his, but not in their current adult state, rather when they were a child). He does nothing to hide it and doesn’t even try to reach a broader audience; on the contrary, he does everything to reiterate this (you’ll understand from the story of the hat if you read it). However, the word of mouth from readers (and considering it’s the 1940s, it’s certainly not a media bang) turned it into a full-fledged Classic. But I repeat, originally it is more pedagogical literature than narrative (as were the aforementioned Perrault, Andersen, and Grimm).

@Bartle: it also includes the "didactic design." I find it extremely fascinating that the fox knows in advance that it will suffer abandonment if it is tamed, yet it still wants to be tamed. It's quite indicative of many human conditions, I would say. Anyway, in Canada "Le Petit Prince" is commonly used, and if you have the patience to read it in French, here you go: link rotto

Bob: but look, "The Little Prince" doesn't end well at all! Anyway, you quote (Calvino's "Marcovaldo") something that is complementary to Saint-Exupéry, not in contrast. The ultimate educational purpose is very similar and equally valid, but there is a fairly important difference to point out, namely that they were created in different eras (in the '40s and '60s) and by people born in different cultural contexts, and they are also different in structure. The greatness of "The Little Prince" lies in the gift of synthesis and simplicity: nothing shocking from a literary point of view (Calvino was revolutionary in his own way), but it is the message conveyed that is of primary importance. Saint-Exupéry should not be evaluated as a writer (also because he practically only wrote that and little else due to his human experience), but as an educator, and from this point of view, his "little book" remains unrivaled to this day. Then of course, if we look purely at writing technique, he wasn't a great writer (also because writing wasn't his primary "job"), but for his communicative ability, gentlemen, a monument should be erected.

Oh no Bob, everything is right but "The Little Prince" absolutely has to be read to your children: there is no other book that teaches so clearly and simply the importance of seeing beyond things and not just their surface. It is the most beautiful fairy tale ever written: with all due respect to the various (albeit great) Grimm, Perrault, or Andersen. Then, I don’t think it’s a matter of literature for age groups but of quality within them: Saint-Exupéry with that little book reached levels of modernity for that genre as (to mention a name you bring up that I love very much) Dickinson did in another. Brizzi here, like Moccia, who comes afterward anyway (and who is at a lower level: Moccia is a voyeur of the most banal feelings, at least Brizzi was sincere), dreams of the poetic synthesis of a Saint-Exupéry (and consequently the ability to create an imaginary) and it is certainly not because "The Little Prince" is recommended for younger children (which I would also recommend to many adults given the average ability of humans to "understand" lately) that many end up in "mocciate", but because Antoine's message is then dispersed among the various nonsense proposed especially by the media because the problem does not come from teachers (who like the family have lost their primary place in the educational chain) but from the models suggested by other channels that bombard kids. "Amici" by Maria De Filippi and Moccia are two sides of the same coin.

The only masterpiece by Radiohead: the others are really good albums (except for "Hail to the Thief" and "Amnesiac," which I find tacky) but not masterpieces. But I’m one of those who prefer the first two over "Ok Computer," so... Great review.

you see, Terry really gets me :-D

A review of Korn with an average of 1 simply doesn't exist...

I am a fan of Jägermeister... I have a signed copy of "Signori Bambini" by Pennac, but I have no intention of trading it... for yours then ;-).

yea, good night LO Strega... I was thinking about "the Strega Prize..." ;-)

Anyway, yes, the Strega seemed exaggerated even to me.