I couldnt remember the title when i reached the library catalogue but i remembered that the word hedgehog. Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of the novel. Author muriel barbery who currently lives in kyoto with her husband reveals a passion for the arts and cultural practices of japan as she incorporates references to japanese poets, directors, films, and traditions into the elegance of the hedgehog. There are a lot of philosophy descriptions in this book which i found to be tedious. That is until a japanese businessman moves into the building and brings the two characters together. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery posted on may 10, 2019 april 29, 2019 by luvtoread official synopsis from goodreads. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book club. I would have loved to love the elegance of the hedgehog and truthfully, i dont hate it. Translated by alison anderson and published in the us by europa editions in.
The elegance of the hedgehog book by muriel barbery. This was one of the best books ive read in the last few months. The phenomenal new york times bestseller that explores the upstairsdownstairs goingson of a posh parisian apartment building publishers weekly. She has lived in kyoto, amsterdam and now lives in the french countryside. This is my second time enjoying reading the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. For hedgehog lovers, the title of muriel barbery s 2006 global best seller, the elegance of the hedgehog, was a bit of a tease. A moving, funny, triumphant novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us. Muriel barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and bestselling author.
Primarily set in an upmarket apartment building in paris, the story is told. Its very much a characterdriven book with little plot, but once the characters begin to grab you, youll be hooked. Published in france in 2006, muriel barbery s second novel has been a huge hit. In this novel, renee michel is a concierge who believes that every concierge is perceived as unintelligent by those for whom they work. The elegance of the hedgehog has been described as a toolbox one can look into to resolve lifes problems, a lifetransforming read, and a lifeaffirming book. Muriel barbery muriel barbery is the author of the new york times bestseller, the elegance of the hedgehog europa, 2008, gourmet rhapsody europa, 2009, and the life of elves europa, 2016. Free download or read online the elegance of the hedgehog pdf epub book.
Robert adams on the elegance of the hedgehog duration. Book reflections the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the elegance of the hedgehog. The elegance of the hedgehog 9781598879254 by barbery, muriel and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, 9781933372600, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Do you think the elegance of the hedgehog needs a followup book. About 10 years ago a friend recomended that i read this book. Paloma learns her lessons, of course, but the central figure is the concierge. Download the elegance of the hedgehog muriel barberyalison anderson ebook rene is the concierge of a grand parisian apartment building. The elegance of the hedgehog was a mixed bag of some excellent passages, some interesting characters, too much philosophy and an unexpected ending. The elegance of the hedgehog study guide contains a biography of muriel barbery, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Renee, the concierge of a grand parisian apartment building. By may 2008 it had sold more than a million copies and has been a bestseller in france, italy, germany, spain, south korea, and many other countries. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery.
The elegance of the hedgehog is a great book, written with stylistically lovely prose and biting wit. The elegance of the hedgehog is different from any book i have ever read. This novel speaks not only of film, music, and literature, but also reflects on the more subtle and forgotten arts of relationship, perception. The ending took me by surprise, which is great, although i wasnt that keen on it. She has lived in kyoto, amsterdam, and paris, and now lives in the french countryside. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel by writer muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog has gone on to sell more than 6 million copies worldwide and has been described by le figaro as the publishing phenomenon of the decade.
As previously mentioned, these parts of the book gave me the impression that barbery perhaps wanted to write a book on philosophy, but chose instead to disguise it thinly, i might add, in a hodgepodge of disturbed characters who need serious therapy. Would you ever listen to anything by muriel barbery again. Barbery attained fame with her second novel the elegance of the hedgehog. She maintains a carefully constructed persona as someone uncultivated but reliable, in keeping with what she feels a concierge should be. While brimming with audacity and indignation, the elegance of the hedgehog is tempered by a smooth infusion of sophisticated humor and a boundless passion for art. The book follows events in the life of a concierge, renee michel, whose deliberately concealed intelligence is uncovered by an unstable but intellectually precocious girl named paloma josse. Review of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. The first edition of the novel was published in august 2006, and was written by muriel barbery. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 325 pages and is available in paperback format. The elegance of the hedgehog muriel barbery, 2007 penguin group usa 336 pp. Pdf the elegance of the hedgehog book by muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog is a meaningoflife book, but instead of focussing on the child who fears becoming part of the odious adult world it centres on the old woman whom life has largely passed by.
I read the translation from the french by alison anderson. The book topped the french bestseller lists for 30 consecutive weeks and was reprinted 50 times. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery abebooks passion for books. Check out tips, advice, and all the ways the library can help support your group. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book chat. The elegance of the hedgehog kindle edition by barbery. Muriel barbery is lovely, not unlike the exquisite prose of her runaway hit novel, the elegance of the hedgehog. Renee, the concierge, is witness to the lavish but vacuous lives of her numerous employers. The elegance of the hedgehog audiobook by muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book chat duration. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barberythis book was a huge success in barbery s native france and it isnt hard to see why, writes philippa lewis. Anderson barbery and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Walking a careful line between popular and literary fiction, the elegance of the hedgehog explores themes of isolation, education, class, and identity, and examines the ways people hide their true natures. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery abebooks. Despite its cutesy air of chocolatebox paris, the elegance of the hedgehog is, by the end, quite radical in its stand against french classism and hypocrisy. Paloma is the daughter of an upperclass family living in the upscale parisian apartment building where renee works. The elegance of the hedgehog muriel barbery alison. Muriel barbery is the author of the new york times bestseller, the elegance of the hedgehog europa, 2008, and gourmet rhapsody europa, 2009. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel by the french novelist and professor of philosophy muriel barbery. Muriel barbery quotes author of the elegance of the hedgehog. She has lived in kyoto and amsterdam and now lives in the french countryside. However, i persevered and finally ended up liking this book. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, paperback. Muriel barbery is a professor of philosophy and you can see this in her writing. For muriel barbery, its elves who are elegant now the. Lelegance du herisson is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel barbery.
The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery originally published in france in 2006. The elegance of the hedgehog by barbery, muriel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The elegance of the hedgehog kindle edition by barbery, muriel, alison anderson. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The character of ozu was most endearing and interesting so if another barbery book had characters more like ozu but less like renee and paloma, i would be much more interested.
31 147 1518 150 850 1106 334 759 1128 821 869 1024 1250 1157 1460 1414 281 807 1544 510 1466 370 1244 1193 1215 1377 1226 317 1176 968 1264 1117 565 335 1083 771 1132 819 1309