Elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery daves book group. 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. The elegance of the hedgehog muriel barbery, 2007 penguin group usa 336 pp. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel barbery. Muriel barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and bestselling author.
This was one of the best books ive read in the last few months definitely one to pick up on your next order. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, book. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery abebooks. 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. Two interviews with muriel barbery about her second novel but first to be published in the usa, the elegance of the hedgehog. She is a former student at the ecole normale superieure. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book. Feb 28, 2016 muriel barberys previous novels, the elegance of the hedgehog and gourmet rhapsody, took place in the same paris apartment building. 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. It provides a thorough exploration of the novels plot, characters and main themes, including class, friendship and art. Written by muriel barbery, narrated by barbara rosenblat, cassandra morris.
Muriel barbery is lovely, not unlike the exquisite prose of her runaway hit novel, the elegance of the hedgehog. Sep 30, 2008 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. Muriel barbery born 28 may 1969 is a french novelist and philosophy teacher. They also found the characters engaging and the setup interesting rather than frustrating. Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial. Sep 07, 2008 the elegance of the hedgehog, a best seller in france and several other countries, belongs to a distinct subgenre. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. Lelegance du herisson is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog is a moving, funny, atmospheric novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us.
The life of elves, by muriel barbery the new york times. 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 book by muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog audiobook muriel barbery. Walking a careful line between popular and literary fiction. It has been a bestseller in france, spain, germany, italy, south korea, and america. Buy the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, alison anderson translator from amazons fiction books store. What the book does explore, albeit in its candy bar way. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery is a fictional book set in paris, france. Before becoming a literary sensation in 2007, barbery had published une gourmandise to be published in 2009 by europa editions, a novel that was awarded the bacchusbsn prize. We are in the center of paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. Editions of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery.
The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, translated. Publication date 2008 topics apartment concierges, apartment dwellers publisher. The book follows events in the life of a concierge. The elegance of the hedgehog paperback september 2, 2008. The international bestseller that has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The elegance of the hedgehog is muriel barberys second novel. Soothing music for meditation, healing therapy, sleep, spa duration.
In isaiah berlins essay on tolstoy beloved of renee the hedgehog and the fox, he gives his famous definition of two kinds of thinkers foxes gather. The elegance of the hedgehog tells the story of a life spent in hiding. The elegance of the hedgehog, book by muriel barbery. There are a lot of philosophy descriptions in this book which i found to be tedious. Sep, 2008 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.
However, i persevered and finally ended up liking this book. The elegance of the hedgehog has been published in 35 languages, in over 25 countries. Buy the paperback book the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery at indigo. Its very much a characterdriven book with little plot, but once the characters begin to grab you, youll be hooked. It is a profound but accessible book not quite proust, then, which elegantly treads the line between literary and commercial fiction. Renee, the concierge, is witness to the lavish but vacuous lives of her numerous employers.
Muriel barberys second novel the elegance of the hedgehog, was a worldwide publishing sensation in 200607. Author muriel barberys complete list of books and series in order, with the latest. Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of the novel. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Published in france in 2006, muriel barberys second novel has been a huge hit. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel i would probably never have considered reading had it not been selected as part of a bookclub recommendation. Buy the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, alison anderson from waterstones today. Muriel barberys previous novels, the elegance of the hedgehog and gourmet rhapsody, took place in the same paris apartment building. Muriel barberys second novel the elegance of the hedgehog, was a worldwide. Madame michel is the concierge of a luxurious parisian. Oct 12, 2008 published in france in 2006, muriel barbery s second novel has been a huge hit. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barberry the. The elegance of the hedgehog ebook written by muriel barbery. The woman and the girl who narrate this french novel are closet intellectuals.
The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, alison. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book club. The book discusses philosophy, culture, the class system and more sometimes on account of a strong story 336 pages. 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. The elegance of the hedgehog by barbery, muriel, 1969. Ana is the daughter of matthias, head scribe to herod antipas, tetrarch of galilee. The elegance of the hedgehog is a great book, written with stylistically lovely prose and biting wit. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, paperback. Her 2006 novel the elegance of the hedgehog quickly sold more than a million copies.
Feb, 20 the sharpeyed paloma guesses that renee has the same simple refinement as the hedgehog, quills on the outside but fiercely solitary and terribly elegant within. May 14, 2009 muriel barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and the bestselling author of impacshortlisted novel the elegance of the hedgehog. With a precocious wisdom beyond her years, she is disenchanted with the lives and values of her parents, her older sister, and others in her social class, and simply sees no way out for. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Buy a cheap copy of the elegance of the hedgehog book by 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.
Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery the elegance of the hedgehog the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery deals with class and how some of the more affluent members of society treat others in a lower class as if they are invisible. The elegance of the hedgehog is different from any book i have ever read. May 25, 2009 muriel barbery is lovely, not unlike the exquisite prose of her runaway hit novel, the elegance of the hedgehog. Sep 12, 2008 muriel barbery is a professor of philosophy and you can see this in her writing. A sales associate at my favorite bookstore recommended this book because. A lot of cultural references are made in this book to art, tolstoy, sciif and to japanese films which some readers may or may not get. Paloma is the daughter of an upperclass family living in the upscale parisian apartment building where renee works. 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. She has lived in kyoto, amsterdam, and paris, and now lives in the french countryside. The block crystallizes the class divide in france, withe the concierge being virtually invisible to the snob tenants. Published in france in 2006 and in the uk in 2008, it 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. She has lived in kyoto, amsterdam and now lives in the french countryside.
The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. If you like slow paced books, books that make you think this is a book for you. With a precocious wisdom beyond her years, she is disenchanted with the lives and values of her. Read the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book analysis detailed summary, analysis and reading guide by bright summaries available from. Barbery was born in casablanca, morocco, but she and her parents moved when she was two months old. There are lots of lectures on art and philosophy, lots of sharp social observation and criticism. She demonstrates an exceptional aptitude for writing, and matthias, for a time, indulges her with reed pens, papyri, and other 16 c. Oct 15, 20 what is the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery about.
Its is difficult to really write about it at this distance in time, because it is an extremely intellectual and philosophical book. On the positive side it is a very intelligent book. Its time for the book club edition of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barberry, obviously this does contain spoilers and im sorry that the footage managed to. Muriel barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and the bestselling author of impacshortlisted novel the elegance of the hedgehog.
Many book groupers found it to be well written, even though we were reading it in translation. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery goodreads. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. There is paloma, age twelve, who is set on committing suicide on a certain day. Jul 31, 2016 its time for the book club edition of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barberry, obviously this does contain spoilers and im sorry that the footage managed to get lost somewhere in france. In many other countries, while it may not have made the bestseller lists, it nonetheless has enjoyed considerable success. An enchanting new york times and international bestseller and awardwinner about life, art, literature, philosophy, culture, class, privilege, and power, seen. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery books. The two main characters in the book are renee michel and paloma josse.
Outwardly she conforms to every stereotype of the concierge. The other main character in the elegance of the hedgehog is the youngest daughter of a welltodo family living in the apartment building renee manages. 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 is a professor of philosophy and you can see this in her writing. The elegance of the hedgehog is told by two different point of view pov characters. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery books on. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the elegance of the hedgehog. May 28, 2009 muriel barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and bestselling author. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book analysis. Some of us liked it more than others, and the best analysis of the book is in a talk by. Paloma learns her lessons, of course, but the central figure is the concierge. The other pov character is renee, who is 54, and is the concierge at the building where paloma lives.