Between Planets and Hearbeats – The Little Prince by Roopak Kautarapu

Because of its many translations, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry\’s The Little Prince is a beloved book by readers everywhere. The reader is drawn in to learning more about our character, a small but important young boy, because of the title of the book, \”The Little Prince.\” The story\’s goal and intention have caused readers to disagree throughout the years and even now.

In short, the story is about a pilot who, having learned as a child to give up on their passions in order to get along with grownups in their life, ends up down in the desert with little chance of survival and meets a stranger—a small boy—in the middle of nowhere.

Over time, it becomes clear that the boy has left his lonely asteroid home, where he lives by himself with just one rose. He has been so miserable since the rose that he has used a flock of birds to transport himself to other planets out of his agony. He receives guidance from the snake, a menacing angel of death, and the prudent but clever fox.

The novel attempts to put the reader in the shoes of the pilot and leaves us wondering why so many viewpoints shift over time. attempting to re-create in our minds the world as seen through the eyes of the little boy, something that all of us experienced in our youth but have since repressed.

What has changed is the way that human interactions go from being able to get along as children to getting along to a social norm as adults. While it\’s not really something we think about when we\’re young, many people spend their entire adult life looking for purpose in life, losing and finding who they are in the process.The boy and the rose\’s relationship serves as a metaphor for love, which is difficult at times but ultimately fulfilling.

Potential similarities between the pilot and the readers may arise when the boy loses his sense of surprise and inquiry. Children who read it comprehend why adults are the way they are, and adults who read it comprehend who they have become as adults and why.

Many of these topics resonate with me as a young adult because they depict a pilot who is lost in the desert thinking about these things and draws comparisons to lost grownups who are attempting to find their place in life while they wait to escape the state of limbo.

The Little Prince was written under unusual circumstances. According to Stacy Schiff\’s biography, \”Saint-Exupéry,\” he fled from Europe to North America and wrote the majority of his French fables from Manhattan and Long Island. The Arabian Desert setting of the book is inspired by Saint-Exupéry\’s 1935 account of getting lost in the desert and suffering from loneliness, hallucinations, and impending death. His affair with his wife inspired the tale of the prince and the rose.

As Schiff puts it, \”His inspiration came from the desert and the rose—his life as an adventurous aviator and his life as a confused lover.\” But between those two things, the war intervened, skewering and separating them with a line.

The idea of reaching these ideas through a fable rather than trying to be straightforward with an realistic novel strikes me. Both have a reader, but both realize themselves upon getting into these fictitious scenarios.

Although the Little Prince has a sad ending, it is supposed to provide hope and courage to readers. It reminds us that there is beauty and meaning in life despite loss. People who have been touched by the story of the little prince continue his legacy, inspiring us to cherish love, embrace imagination, and watch the stars.

Asterix and Cleopatra – Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny

This classic comic book, created by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo, transports readers on a humorous adventure with the invincible Gauls, Asterix and Obelix.

René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo watched the film and immediately recognized that it had the potential for their own series. Pilote began serializing the book in December 1963, but the bound volume wasn\’t published until 1965.

Cleopatra\’s response to Julius Caesar\’s mocking presentation of Egypt as a society that has nothing left to present the world outside its borders sets off the story. The novel plays subtly on the issues of cultural identity, friendship and the strength of unity. The issue is woven cleverly and humorously while maintaining consistency and entertainment and passing on an important message.

The comedic adventure begins when Cleopatra takes up Julius Caesar\’s challenge to prove the strength of the Roman Empire by building a grand palace within three months, Asterix and Obelix volunteer to assist the novice architect Edifis. They go to Egypt with a renowned potion that makes them superhumanly strong, comedic encounters, and witty repartee. Along with Cleopatra\’s defiance of Caesar\’s rule, the two\’s escapades form a story of witty satire, humor, and camaraderie. As the main character in the series, Asterix is a fighter who is resourceful and intelligent.

His witty banter with the lovable and rugged Obelix forms a colorful and interesting couple that is the center of the narrative. The depiction of Cleopatra as a clever and powerful ruler adds depth and humor to the plot. The iconic Julius Caesar and the inept architect Edifis are two of the well-crafted supporting characters with distinct personalities that contribute to the richness of the ensemble. It\’s an enjoyable and engaging read due to the interactions and camaraderie between these characters. The characterization is also enhanced by Uderzo\’s emotional drawings, which vividly capture each personality. All things considered, the characters of \”Asterix and Cleopatra\” significantly contribute to the story\’s eternal appeal. The appeal of the story for me is the subtlety in which the stereotypes, themes of unity and struggle against oppression are presented with the added value of keeping it light-hearted and visually engaging as well. Their acceptance of aiding the fellow underdog, resonates as an overpowering theme throughout the comic book story.

Owing to Albert Uderzo\’s evocative drawings, set against the living, breathing context of ancient Egypt, \”Asterix and Cleopatra\” is an enduring classic which entertains and teaches subtle things.