French-Syrian cartoonist Riad Sattouf is realizing what he calls "a teenage dream" by creating illustrations for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's renowned book "Terre des hommes" (Wind, Sand and Stars). The accomplished artist, known for his successful comic series "L'Arabe du futur" (The Arab of the Future) and "Les cahiers d'Esther" (Esther's Notebooks), aims to introduce this literary masterpiece to younger readers because he believes it "gives confidence to oneself."
Sattouf has created approximately one hundred color illustrations for the new edition of "Terre des hommes," published in Gallimard's prestigious NRF collection. The artist reveals that reading the book as a teenager had a profound impact on him, describing it as "a real shock." He frequently returns to the work, praising it as "a very visual book, with action and very strong human situations." This personal connection drove him to approach both Gallimard publishers and Saint-Exupéry's heirs with his proposal to illustrate the aviation stories.
Originally published in 1939, "Terre des hommes" is a collection of narratives and meditations written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), particularly drawn from his numerous airplane journeys alongside fellow aviators Jean Mermoz and Henri Guillaumet. The book captures the pioneering spirit of early aviation and the philosophical reflections of one of France's most celebrated pilot-writers. Sattouf took the initiative to propose the illustration project, and both the publisher and the writer's estate "accepted" his proposal and "gave him great freedom" in his artistic interpretation.
"Illustrating Saint-Exupéry's aviation stories is a teenage dream," Sattouf emphasizes, expressing his deep admiration for the author of "The Little Prince." The cartoonist has already set his sights on his next potential project, stating that he "would love" to illustrate "Vol de nuit" (Night Flight), another major work by Saint-Exupéry. This enthusiasm reflects his ongoing passion for bringing classic literature to contemporary audiences through visual storytelling.
Sattouf's motivation extends beyond personal fulfillment to educational outreach. "Since I have an audience composed of many young people who read comics and manga, I would like to bring some of them to take an interest in Terre des hommes because it's a book that elevates, that can unlock things and that gives confidence in oneself," he explains. His goal is to bridge the gap between modern graphic literature and classical French writing, using his established readership as a pathway to introduce younger generations to Saint-Exupéry's inspiring work.
The illustrated edition represents a collaboration between Gallimard and Les livres du futur (Books of the Future), the publishing house that Sattouf established in 2021. This company also publishes "Moi, Fadi, le frère volé" (Me, Fadi, the Stolen Brother), the series that serves as a sequel to his acclaimed "L'Arabe du futur." The partnership demonstrates Sattouf's growing influence in the publishing world and his commitment to creating meaningful literary projects.
Looking ahead, Sattouf's publishing house is expanding its catalog beyond his own work. In November, Les livres du futur will release its first album by another author: "Le petit gendarme" (The Little Policeman) by Théo Grosjean. This milestone marks the publisher's evolution from a platform for Sattouf's personal projects to a broader cultural enterprise supporting diverse artistic voices in the French literary landscape.
