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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Hard to read
Hard book to get into but inspires thinking
Great writing~
Unique; well written. I greatly enjoyed it.
Ugh!!!
i COULD NEVER GEET PAST THE SECOND CHAPTER
Great surprise ending, sad, but wonderful.
Several years after I read this book, it remains one of my favorite recommendations—even though it takes place in a Paris apartment building and is definitely NOT coastal fiction. Two characters entwine their lives and what happens is anything but predictable. Recommended for readers alert to alliteration, and those who love to roll unusual word combinations around in their mouths while they devour a good story.
If you like a happy ending do not read this.
This is easily one of my favorite books, and I’ve read it too many times to count. The character development is flawless, but I think we can all relate a little to being a misunderstood child or an adult who is afraid to really show ourselves because we’ve been hurt too often by life. I will admit that even though I have an advanced reading level, I did have to look up words in this book or read more about concepts mentioned to have a better understanding. It’s a deep dive not a shallow pool, but every page was filled with immeasurable beauty. I love it. It’s that simple. I hope you do, too.
DNF
Set in Paris, this is an unusual and memorable story about two people, a young woman and an older one, who develop an unlikely relationship that enhances both their lives. Beautifully written with interesting vocabulary.
If I could only give this pretentious book of gobbly gook less than 1 star I would. The premise sounded interesting but that was as good as it got. Save your time and skip this one.
In The Elegance of the Hedgehog, a lot can happen when a middle-aged concierge and a precocious twelve-year-old girl connect thanks to the influence of a retired Japanese businessman. The fact that both the widow and the girl are well read does nothing to assuage the deep existential angst they suffer from as they pretend they are as shallow and uninformed as everyone else. In less-skilled hands, the story would be maudlin. But I found myself often laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
There’s a lot at play in this engaging book, which is mainly a satirical poke at wealth and privilege. The Japanese businessman, Monsieur Ozu, seems to be the antidote. He has taken up residence in the upscale apartment building recently and brings with him a sense of calm beauty. Though privileged himself, Ozu seems to retain genuine humanness that sees beyond rich and poor, well read and illiterate. Thank goodness for that.
Too bad there are only 5 stars to give this book…definitely one of my all time favorites. Excellent writing and an unforgettable cast of characters. Thought provoking and not your usual plot twist. See the movie after reading…a good adaptation and an awesome musical score by Gabriel Yared.
Couldn’t,t get into it
I read this a few years ago but remember it well. Recently ordered it to have in my ebook library so I can reread it. It won’t disappoint!
Couldn’t get into it.
Having trouble finishing this one.Written from the view that everyone else is dumber and less worthy than the large word wielding self educated concierge. I’m unsure if it’s the French thing or just a snobbish intellectualism that prevents any hint of true compassion as a desired trait. Getting past that I might even like the book better. It is not high on the priority list to finish.
i’ve read this book twice and gave away my copy. oh no. i want to read it again. A highly intelligent girl who is not understood by her family; to her the family is superficial. she has decided that life must have more meaning or she will commit suicide. The girl meets the apartment manager and they develop a bond. The apartment manager too is extremely intelligent but hides it. A gentleman in the top floor apartment discovers the intelligence and elegance of both misfits. Philosophy brings them all three together in a wonderful friendship with meaning. That’s all i shall say. it is an elegant story. The writing is beautiful.