Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Our first pair of authors are two aviators, Gabriele d'Annunzio from Italy and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry from France.
Both were aristocrats and both had interesting love lives.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a pilot for most of his adult life.
He had many exciting experiences and close calls flying in South America and northern Africa between the two world wars.
In 1944 he went on a mission over the Mediterranean Sea and was never heard from again.
A few years ago the wreckage of his plane was found in the waters off Marseille.

Terre des hommes/Wind, Sand and Stars, Vol de nuit/Night Flightand Courrier sud/Southern Mail, among others, are based on his experiences as a pilot.

Gabriele d'Annunzio was born in 1863 and died in 1938.
He was a poet, playwright, journalist and novelist, whose period of fame and influence in Italian literature was between 1889 and 1910.
He was considered the best interpreter of European Decadence in the Italy of the time.
His most famous novel, Il piacere/Pleasure(The Child Of Pleasure) is a great place to start reading his works.

From 1914 to 1924 D'Annunzio's life direction changed course. He became an army officer in World War One, became a pilot and got involved in politics.

Whose in for this one?
Which works are you thinking of reading?

I've already read Il piacere and numerous works of
Saint-Exupery. And enjoyed them all.

Rosemarie wrote: "Our first pair of authors are two aviators, Gabriele d'Annunzio from Italy and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry from France.
Both were aristocrats and both had interesting ..."

So sad to hear this, Rosemarie. I'm planning to read The Little Prince.

It's a lovely book, Piyangie. I don't remember how many times I've read it, but I'll be reading it again.

I’d like to read Il piacere by D’Annunzio.

Great, Melanie!

I've no planned readings for this challenge. Because I don't own, at the moment, on my next-to-read list.

We have two months for these two authors, Luis. So you have lots of time to decide what to read.

Rosemarie wrote: "Great, Melanie!"

Thanks for your recommendation, Rosemarie!

Rosemarie wrote: "We have two months for these two authors, Luis. So you have lots of time to decide what to read."

Thank you, Rosemarie.

Audiobooks don't suit me so well but I may try out the nonfiction Land of Men: Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry when I have a long drive to make in January. And speaking of his aviation background... ;)
Have you read this one, Rosemarie?

I've already read Night Flight besides The Little Prince, of course.

Luís wrote: "I've already read Night Flight besides The Little Prince, of course."

Oh that seems very accessible as it's very short.

Jen wrote: "Luís wrote: "I've already read Night Flight besides The Little Prince, of course."

Oh that seems very accessible as it's very short."

Yes, and very cute!

Jen wrote: "Audiobooks don't suit me so well but I may try out the nonfiction Land of Men: Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry when I have a long drive to make in ..."

Yes. It's one of my favourites.

I’ve read The Little Prince, but may read it again. I have just got a copy of Flight To Arras which I will read for the challenge.

I haven't read that one yet, Trisha. I'll see if I can get a copy for myself.

Trisha, sounds interesting. I hope you’ll share how you like it cuz it sounds like a great gift idea for someone in my family.

Rosemarie & Jen, I found the Kindle version, read the preview & liked it. I’ll give feedback when I’ve read it.

I've just finished rereading Le Petit Prince , which I first read for a university French course.
It gets better on every read!

How is everyone doing so far?

I’m waiting for Pleasure to arrive and I’m looking forward to it.

It's a good choice, Melanie.

I listened to audiobook of The Little Prince which didn't work for me. I thought at first it was due to the translation I did (Michael Morpurgo). Then I read a kindle edition of a different translation and realised that it was the audio version which didn't work for me. I should have read it rather than listening to it. Anyhow, I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it.

I'm glad you found a translation that worked for you, Piyangie.
This is a book that needs the illustrations!

I read Night Flight. The writing was very lyrical and romantic when the focus was on the pilot flying. When the focus was on the people on the ground, it seemed more business-like.

Kathy wrote: "I read Night Flight. The writing was very lyrical and romantic when the focus was on the pilot flying. When the focus was on the people on the ground, it seemed more business-like."

I would like to read this in French sometime. I like that there is an introduction by Andre Gide.

Melanie wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I read Night Flight. The writing was very lyrical and romantic when the focus was on the pilot flying. When the focus was on the people on the ground, it seemed more bus..."

Melanie, read the introduction after reading Saint-Exupery's story. There are a few spoilers in the intro.

Shoot, I hate it when they do that. Thanks for the warning, Kathy!

I just finished reading Richard Howard's translation of The Little Prince. To me, it is the best. So now, I've read the story three times! :) It's a book that grows on you.

It really does, Piyangie!

I've just finished L'Innocente by Gabriele d'Annunzio. I haven't given the title in English because I think it's a poor choice-The Intruder(wrong on so many levels).
It's an extremely well-written but also disturbing. It's written in the first person by an unreliable narrator who I find to be self-absorbed and really messed up mentally at times.
This is not a good choice for a first book by D'Annunzio, mainly because of the subject matter.

It's the second book in his Romanzi della Rosa, Romances of the Rose.

I finished Flight To Arras today. It was beautifully written, despite the translation to English, but I grew increasingly bored with it. It started well & full of interest, but became more abstract & philosophical. I’m sure some people will love it, but it wasn’t for me.

That's too bad, Trisha. I haven't read that one.

Rosemarie wrote: "That's too bad, Trisha. I haven't read that one."

Don’t let me put you off reading it - you may enjoy it. I guess you would read the original French version, though the translated version that I used was written well. I liked the way the book started, so was disappointed when it changed.

We read Night Flight/Vol de nuit in university. It was a more straightforward book.

I've just started rereading Terre des hommes/Wind, Sand and Stars and am impressed by the writing.

I've finished Terre des hommes. Chapter 7 of the book is about his experience in the Sahara. If you've read Le Petit Prince, you'll understand what inspired him to write the book after reading this chapter.

Any last thoughts about these two aviators?

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