2007-12-03 Very evocative, but watch the translation...

I assume Saint-Exupery wrote this in French and that explains the trouble I had starting this book.

10 pages in I seriously considered giving up on this book, so convoluted, flowery and stodgy was the prose, something I have done with less than 5 books ever.

That I didn't and give the book 4 stars is testament to chapter two and beyond, but be aware that you might have to persevere to get to the greatness of this book.

This MIGHT be down to translation into English and some versions may be easier to read than others.

The episode of the crash in the desert is a page turning thriller, though, and his experiences in Spain during the civil war are a diverting counterpoint to the rest of the book.

A great read, if you can get into it.