The phenomenal New York Times bestseller that “explores the upstairs-downstairs goings-on of a posh Parisian apartment building” (Publishers Weekly).In an elegant hôtel particulier in Paris, Renée, the concierge, is all but invisible—short, plump, middle-aged, with bunions on her feet and an addiction to television soaps. Her only genuine attachment is to her cat, Leo. In short, she’s everything … her cat, Leo. In short, she’s everything society expects from a concierge at a bourgeois building in an upscale neighborhood. But Renée has a secret: She furtively, ferociously devours art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With biting humor, she scrutinizes the lives of the tenants—her inferiors in every way except that of material wealth.
Paloma is a twelve-year-old who lives on the fifth floor. Talented and precocious, she’s come to terms with life’s seeming futility and decided to end her own on her thirteenth birthday. Until then, she will continue hiding her extraordinary intelligence behind a mask of mediocrity, acting the part of an average pre-teen high on pop culture, a good but not outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.
Paloma and Renée hide their true talents and finest qualities from a world they believe cannot or will not appreciate them. But after a wealthy Japanese man named Ozu arrives in the building, they will begin to recognize each other as kindred souls, in a novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us, and “teaches philosophical lessons by shrewdly exposing rich secret lives hidden beneath conventional exteriors” (Kirkus Reviews).
“The narrators’ kinetic minds and engaging voices (in Alison Anderson’s fluent translation) propel us ahead.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Barbery’s sly wit . . . bestows lightness on the most ponderous cogitations.” —The New Yorker
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This book seems a bit pretentious with all the French phrases, but it is well worth the read. This book is not a light or a quick read, but examines the lives of 2 misfits – one a young girl, a genius, born into a wealthy family; the other, a middle age woman, widowed, serving as concierge for the weathly. Told in alternating points of view, the book kept me engaged right up to the unexpected ending.
What a FANTASTIC book! I was prepared to dislike this novel–the reviews and summary made it sound quite pompous and self-righteous. After a few pages I was completely caught up in the gorgeous language and the wonderful characters.
The person who translated this book must have an incredible grasp of English and French, including colloquialisms and references to pop culture.
I really enjoyed Paloma’s take on grammar and her confrontation with her French teacher. I wonder what the original text was like–Paloma refers to a split infinitive, but you can’t split an infinitive in French. I’d love to talk to someone who read it in French.
Muriel Barbery is a most interesting woman. She was born in Casablanca, Morocco, Africa but raised in France. Now she and her husband live in Japan. She is a professor of philosophy, as a result of which this book is not only very French in attitude, but also peppered with philosophical theories.
This is a very French book, both in subject and in the style of writing. That is why it is interesting that the book is so successful worldwide. It is beautifully written and has a delicacy of touch that is charming. “The Elegance of the Hedgehog,” is a best seller in France and several other countries and is an accessible book that flatters readers with its intellectual veneer.
The novel’s two narrators alternate chapters they are Renee and Paloma. Renee is a widowed concierge in her fifties who calls herself “short, ugly and plump.” She is a self-consciously stereotypical working-class nobody. She takes refuge in aesthetics and ideas but thinks life will be easier if she never lets her knowledge show. Even the slippers she wears as camouflage, are typical of her place in society. Paloma is a precocious 12-year-old whose family lives in the fashionable building Renee cares for. Paloma believes the world is so meaningless that she plans to commit suicide as soon as she turns 13. Renee’s story is addressed just to the reader, while Paloma’s takes the form of a notebook crammed with what she considers are “profound thoughts.”
Both create eloquent essays on time, beauty and the meaning of life, Renee with erudition and Paloma with adolescent gusto. Neither character realizes they share such similar views. They also share an interest in and affection for Japanese culture. Paloma adores reading manga, while Renée goes into raptures over an Ozu scene in which the violet mountains of Kyoto become a soul-saving vision of beauty.
It is the sharp-eyed Paloma who guesses that Renee has “the same simple refinement as the hedgehog,” quills on the outside but “fiercely solitary — and terribly elegant” within. Throughout the novel, these two narrators minds and engaging voices (translated by Alison Anderson) move the story along.
The lives of both characters perk up when the rich, charming and attentive Mr. Ozu moves into the building. His name alone is enough to tantalize Renee, and he does not disappoint her. His presence also brightens the book, adding emotion and an actual story. However, near the end, Renee and Paloma become friends and the author glides ahead even more buoyantly than before. Such philosophical fiction resolves some issues of life and death for its characters.
The shallower question of the international fate of this quirky French novel might also defy or reinforce just the sort of baguette and beret stereotypes Renee finds so obvious and so true: oh, those philosophical French! Personally, I did find the novel just a little too long and some of the allusions a bit too esoteric for ease of reading. It may well merit re-reading, but I doubt I will do so. However, I would read another book by Muriel Barbary.
This novel is an absolute delight. Muriel Barbery has created two marvelous characters who will live on in your mind long after you have set the book aside. Twelve-year-old Paloma and fifty-something Renee bring us their unique perspectives on life and the world around them. Renee’s perceptive commentary on art, music and literature is balanced against the precocious Paloma’s piercing analysis of the people who live in the building where Renee is the concierge. Marvelous and enchanting.
I was cleaning out the books from under my bed and rediscovered this gem from a few years back…. if you missed it then, take a look now – refreshingly foreign…a very Parisian story with fiercely lovable characters and a plot line to make you think deep thoughts!
Two incredibly different females — one age 54, the other age 12; one from poverty, one from privilege — intersect at the point of mensa-like intelligence and form a friendship that’s cemented with the bond of a cultured Japanese gentleman whose presence changes both of their lives. An exceptional read!
This is one of my all-time book blessings. It did take a second chance to “get into” it, but it was worth every minute of my time. I highlighted more passages of inspiration and philosophy than ever before, yet the story never seemed “philosophical” or preachy thanks to the relationships developed between a handful of delightfully, flawed characters and Ms Barbery’s prose. This isn’t a book to read while sipping a mai-tai on the beach, but it is one to savor while curled up in your favorite easy chair.
This is an unusual book. I like it, but have had a hard time really caring about it. The book was written in French and may have lost a little in translation. There are two narrators Renee, the concierge of an upscale building and Paloma, a gifted 12 year who lives in Renee’s building.
Renee attempts to be like a usual concierge, camouflaging her interest in art, music, philosophy- a self described autodidact. Her description of the building’s tenets is intelligent and humorous. ( The author is a philosophy professor)
Paloma is planning to commit suicide on her 13th birthday to avoid the life her privileged upbringing has laid out.
When a tenet suddenly dies the two they finally connect.
It is an interesting read. Social class divides and expectations are a prominent theme. It is not a light read and may feel a bit pretentious. It does get a little heavy with philosophy. It could be a good book club choice.
A book of polarities – alternated between boring philosophical musings which induced skimming and enthralling passages that would cause a pause in reading to reflect.
Overrated. I couldn’t get into it.
A tiny jewel of a book. Everybody should read it. One of my all-time favorites.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I like books with original ideas and characters and interesting settings. This filled all those requirements. Not a page turner, but even more to my liking!
Actually didn’t’ finish reading this. Just couldn’t get into it.
My favorite novel! When I need a mental or emotional boost, this is my go-to read. I heard a psychiatrist prescribes this book as an alternative to Prozac. Don’t let the plot description, (that includes a suicidal 12-yr old,) dissuade you. Her brilliant observations are spot-on & hysterical. The sarcastic humor, prose, intelligence & biting wit make this a must read! Oh, did I mention the shocking surprise ending? This novel has it all.
One of the best I’ve read
The writing and depth of characters. Absolutely brilliant. This book is one of my top 3 all time favorite books of all times. I’ve read and reread it many times and recommended it to everyone I know who enjoys reading as a passion not just a distraction. Every page has something insightful and thought provoking. I cannot compare it to anything else I’ve read. It’s a standalone literary “crown jewel”. I also cannot recommend it strongly enough.
Half way through it and lost interest.
But my type of book. Slow moving and irreligious. I don’t finish.
A French concierge and a precocious 12-year old girl become friends, both finding the other intellectually interesting while both also hide their intellect from the world. Another unlikely friend, a wealthy Japanese businessman, moves into the building and recognizes that these women aren’t what they seem. The characters are vivid, the story is charming and funny.
An elegant little book, I loved the characters, past and present. Charming
story with an unforgettable narrator. In a class with “The Guernsey Potato . . .” and “Mr, Penumbra’s . . .” and others.