Correspondence Directed Towards Saint-Exupéry
In the heart of the Sahara Desert, where the sun beats down relentlessly and the sand stretches as far as the eye can see, lies a story of survival and inspiration. This is the fourth article in a series of six about deserts, and we delve into the harrowing tale of French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who lost his plane in the vast expanse of the Sahara in 1935.
On New Year's Eve 1935-1936, Saint-Exupéry, accompanied by his mechanic, lost altitude and crashed into a barren plateau in the Sahara. The exact crash site is not known, but it is believed to be in a remote part of the desert, likely along the air route between Europe and North Africa toward Asia. This incident, which nearly cost him and his co-pilot their lives, would later inspire his 1939 memoir Wind, Sand and Stars, a gripping account of the crash and his survival in the desert.
The crash of Saint-Exupéry's aircraft marked a turning point in his life and his works, particularly his famous work Le petit prince, which includes themes of isolation and profound reflection connected to his desert ordeal. His writings about the desert are renowned for their splendor, gentleness, and hint of nostalgia.
Stranded in the Sahara, Saint-Exupéry had only a few supplies left: raisins, two oranges, a madeleine, coffee, and white wine. Miraculously, he walked away from the crash with only a few bruises. However, on the first day, he drank all the liquids, and for the next two days, he wandered dehydrated in the sands, experiencing hallucinations.
Saint-Exupéry's plane was not found until 2000, 56 years after his disappearance, in the Mediterranean. But the memory of his time in the Sahara remained vivid, as he wrote about the idea of desert in this article. He described the white dune seen through the legs of a camel herd, an image that still resonates today.
As we continue our journey through deserts, join us next time for the fifth article in this series, "White Desert." Until then, remember the tales of survival and inspiration that the desert holds, as Saint-Exupéry took us on a journey through vast sand, snow, and sea expanses, serving as antidotes to the chaos of the times.
References:
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- Wind, Sand and Stars
- Le petit prince
- Paris-Saigon airspeed record
- The Little Prince and the Sahara Desert
The French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, found solace and inspiration in the harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert, a setting that later influenced his acclaimed works such as 'Wind, Sand and Stars' and 'Le petit prince.' Intrigued by this lifestyle, one might consider exploring home-and-garden designs inspired by the splendor and gentleness of the Sahara, channeling the tranquility for a travel-inspired oasis within their personal space.
