Aug 26, 2008 a riveting, potentially redemptive story of modern american suburbia that reads almost like an ancient greek tragedy. Hailed as the french publishing phenomenon in recent years, the elegance of the hedgehog has maintained 102 weeks straight on frances best seller lists since its publication in 2006, and sold over 1 million hardback copies. In many other countries, while it may not have made the bestseller lists, it nonetheless has enjoyed considerable success. She is cantankerous and addicted to television soaps.
Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of the novel. Book reflections the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel. For all the philosophers and philosophical thought barbery shares through renee, this book is approachable because above it, it is a story about people learning and observing other people. One of the things i love most about my job as a book seller is chatting about my favorite books with customers and coworkers. 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. Books similar to the elegance of the hedgehog the elegance of the hedgehog. The customer was so enthusiastic about the novel that i promptly. The elegance of the hedgehog muriel barbery, 2007 penguin group usa 336 pp.
Find books like the elegance of the hedgehog from the worlds largest community of readers. Sep 02, 2008 colombe josse isa sort of tall blond leek who dresses like a penniless bohemian. Goodreads members who liked the elegance of the hedgehog also. The titular hedgehog is allegorical and never appears in the. When schwalbe noted that the elegance of the hedgehog is essentially a. Robert adams on the elegance of the hedgehog youtube. Lelegance du herisson is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog is a pleasant story with a. Similar books like the elegance of the hedgehog tastedive. Moderate, for about four uses of strong language and some occasional use of mild and moderate language.
An interview with the author on bookbrowse and 25 quotes from the elegance of the hedgehog on goodreads. The elegance of the hedgehog was frances bestselling book of 2007, but it is pretentious and cynical, with barely any story. The diary of a young girl by anne frank like water for chocolate by laura esquivel. The elegance of the hedgehog muriel barbery, author, alison anderson, translator, trans. Emilio, a deaf boy, who barely speaks, discovers his world through the ears of his older neighbor and fatherly friend javier. Goodreads members who liked the elegance of the hedgehog. For muriel barbery, its elves who are elegant now the. She has lived in kyoto, amsterdam and now lives in the french countryside.
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 librarything. Will americans embrace a heroine who skulks like a spy among the. This is my second time enjoying reading the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery, paperback. May 10, 2019 the elegance of the hedgehog is a different book. For hedgehog lovers, the title of muriel barberys 2006 global best seller, the elegance of the hedgehog, was a bit of a tease. I like smart writing and smart characters, but i dont necessarily care for overly intellectualized books. Click to read more about the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery.
For muriel barbery, its elves who are elegant now the new york. Buy the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery online at alibris. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to the elegance of the hedgehog. There was a sense very buddhist of being in the moment. Critic and educator robert adams lectures on the elegance of the hedgehog. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Sep 12, 2008 this story, like all great tales, will break your heart, but it will also make you realizeor rememberthat sometimes the pain is worth it. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery uk cover. Goodreads members voted the elegance of the hedgehog into the following lists. Muriel barbery is the author of the new york times bestseller, the elegance of the hedgehog europa, 2008, and gourmet rhapsody europa, 2009. I understand that the author is a professor of philosophy. Hedgehogs arent native to america, but you dont have to be french to sniff out at least some of the contradictions in the title of muriel barberys european bestseller. The elegance of the hedgehog is a study in the dichotomy of the hidden inner self versus outer perceptions. About 10 years ago a friend recomended that i read this book. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery uk cover edition muriel barbery on. Apr 27, 2018 book reflections the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. Occasionally, i meet someone who shares my taste in books and offers their recommendations to me.
The elegance of the hedgehog by barbery, muriel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Such was the case with the elegance of the hedgehog. Paloma is the daughter of an upperclass family living in the. I dont like to attract attention as a person, she said. The elegance of the hedgehog, muriel barbery renee michel is, at first glance, a nondescript middleaged concierge of an apartment building in paris.
The elegance of the hedgehog kindle edition by barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog is a moving, funny, atmospheric novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us. The elegance of the hedgehog is a poignant novel about two characters who feel they must hide who they really are from a world that cant or wont accept them. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery alibris. Listening to them for 300 pages is not just deliciously fun for like minded readers, but also enlightening and ultimately uplifting. The elegance of the hedgehog has been published in 35 languages, in over 25 countries. When i first saw one of my favorite books, i read the title as the vengeance of the hedgehog, which, like any other person interested in unusual titles, immediately drew me in. The elegance of the hedgehog best books for francophiles. Why choose a hedgehog and not a skunk or armadillo. Review of the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. The elegance of the hedgehog was originally published in the authors native french language. If you like the elegance of the hedgehog you might like similar books gourmet rhapsody, suite francaise, mr. Her novel both depicts and hopes to appeal to the connoisseur of humanity who can appreciate exquisite qualities unacknowledged by others. Muriel barbery is the author of the international bestseller, the elegance of the hedgehog, and gourmet rhapsody europa editions, 2009.
The elegance of the hedgehog is different from any book i have ever read. Reviews in the guardian, the new york times, and the washington post. A critical success in france, muriel barberys 2008 novel, the elegance of the hedgehog, takes place in a posh parisian apartment building. L l gance du h risson is a novel by the french novelist and professor of philosophy muriel barbery. But i persisted, and i am glad i did because muriel barbery has written an exceptional story about appearance, class, beauty, and the search for meaning in ones life. When the whitmans, a nouveau riche white family, move into a sprawling, newly built house next door to valerie alstonholt, a black professor of forestry and ecology, and her musically gifted, biracial 18yearold son, xavier, in a modest, diverse north carolina neighborhood of. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery teen ink. Not enough can be said about the utter genius of the elegance of the hedgehog. The elegance of the hedgehog book by muriel barbery. It reads more like a tract than a novel, but lacks even a tracts certainty of purpose. 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.
When schwalbe noted that the elegance of the hedgehog is essentially a book about characters who love reading books, i knew it was the perfect book to feature given our current reading theme. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery books. We are in an elegant hotel particulier in the center of paris. I read the translation from the french by alison anderson. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery abebooks. The elegance of the hedgehog is a novel by the french novelist and philosophy teacher muriel. Translated from the french, there were definitely some cultural references that i, as an american, did not understand at all, but there were also common human elements that really came across at the end. However, the elegance of the hedgehog is nowhere close to something like that. Renee, the buildings concierge, is short, ugly, and plump. Books similar to the elegance of the hedgehog goodreads. A story about the love for the sea and the sun, growing up and a friendship, as we wish it for emilio. For muriel barbery, its elves who are elegant now the new. Sep 12, 2008 buy the paperback book the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery at indigo. This book will save your life 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.
The elegance of the hedgehog entertaining angels bookshelf. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Over the years she has maintained her carefully constructed persona as. But she cultivates that image, and underneath her purposely plain exterior is a quick, intelligent brain. The elegance of the hedgehog, book by muriel barbery. This shows in the elegance with which she discusses ideas. Renee, paloma and ozu are rich characters that we can like, dislike. This was one of the best books ive read in the last few months definitely one to pick up on your next order. In my world i would give one star to something like the twilight books the writing is pretty bad. The elegance of the hedgehog paperback september 2, 2008. Rene is the concierge of a parisian apartment building. If you like slow paced books, books that make you think this is a book for you. Its very much a characterdriven book with little plot, but once the characters begin to grab you, youll be hooked. Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of.
The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery book club. It is a strange phenomenon for someone who has devoured so many french books. I enjoyed this book and really worked at disassembling it, searching out the meanings and complexities. Feb 20, 2016 for hedgehog lovers, the title of muriel barberys 2006 global best seller, the elegance of the hedgehog, was a bit of a tease. 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. A moving, funny, triumphant novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us.
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. The elegance of the hedgehog, a best seller in france and several other. Why i loved the elegance of the hedgehog for whatever reason, im losing my ability to read french books. The elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery penguin september 2008 325pp no spoilers the short of it.
By the end, the elegance of the hedgehog was both a book of ideas and a book i could relate to on an emotional level. The elegance of the hedgehog started slowly for me in fact, i nearly stopped reading it at one point. However, i persevered and finally ended up liking this book. 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. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. A curious look at life, love, philosophy, art and literature as seen through the eyes of a 54yearold concierge and her 12yearold tenant. Ive had this book for nearly two years now, but didnt feel that compelled to read it until after i finished reading will schwalbes the end of your life book club. The elegance of the hedgehog kindle edition by barbery, muriel, anderson, alison. I cried like a baby during the ending, and it was quite awkward crying like a baby on a busy and filled train in europe. I read barberys life of elves last year while i was in munich, but found it to be too meandering for my taste, despite the lovely language. This story, like all great tales, will break your heart, but it will also make you. If there is one thing i despise, its the perverse affectation of rich people who go around dressing as if they were poor. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the elegance of the hedgehog. It has been a bestseller in france, spain, germany, italy, south korea, and america.
Mar 12, 2020 ive read some fine books this past year, but the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery ranks at the top for barberys timeless commentary on life, books, grammar as an editor i couldnt help but laugh out loud at her take on poor punctuation and, of course, relationships of all strip. The book and the characters movement happens in little steps like japanese women walking in a kimono. This story, like all great tales, will break your heart, but it will also make you realizeor rememberthat sometimes the pain is worth it. The elegance of the hedgehog, a best seller in france and several other countries, belongs to a distinct subgenre. Have you ever noticed how some books seem to drive a wedge between people. We are in the center of paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. Lists that contain the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery. I couldnt remember the title when i reached the library catalogue but i remembered that the word hedgehog.
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