The Elegance of the Hedgehog

By: Muriel Barbery

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat, Cassandra Morris

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

An enchanting New York Times and international best seller and award-winner about life, art, literature, philosophy, culture, class, privilege, and power, seen through the eyes of a 54-year-old French concierge and a precocious but troubled 12-year-old girl.

Renee Michel is the 54-year-old concierge of a luxury Paris apartment building. Her exterior (short, ugly,and plump) and demeanor (poor, discreet, and insignificant) belie her keen, questing mind and profound erudition. Paloma Josse is a 12-year-old genius who behaves as everyone expects her to behave: a mediocre pre-teen high on adolescent subculture, a good but not outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter. She plans to kill herself on the 16th of June, her 13th birthday.

Both Renee and Paloma hide their true talents and finest qualities from the bourgeois families around them, until a wealthy Japanese gentleman named Ozu moves into building. Only he sees through them, perceiving the secret that haunts Renee, winning Paloma's trust, and helping the two discover their kindred souls. Moving, funny, tender, and triumphant, Barbery's novel exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us.

©2006 Editions Gallimard, Paris (P)2009 Highbridge Company

Critic reviews

"Gently satirical, exceptionally winning and inevitably bittersweet." ( The Washington Post )
"An exquisite book in the form of a philosophical fable that has enchanted hundreds of thousands of readers." (Italian Elle)
"Kinetic minds and engaging voices." ( New York Times Book Review)
"By turns very funny and heartbreaking". ( Publishers Weekly)
"Life-affirming." ( Time)

Touching

The whole book consists of mostly monologues of two women and it’s easy to lose focus, but the messages conveyed in their musings are important to the story. In the end, it’s a touching story of finding “always” in “never again” and how unlikely people become friends. Very beautiful.

Unexpected favorite

The characters are mundane, but beautiful. The narrating was spectacular. I’m sad that the book is over!

Hold out til the end

The first half of the book I was thinking, this is a solid 3 out of 5...meh. But about midway it gets so good with a 5+ ending. Worth hanging on if you consider putting it down.

Stuck In A Quandary

If you read the reviews here you will notice a strong divide between lovers and haters of this book. I find myself in the odd position of agreeing with both of these extreme ends of the review spectrum. On one hand I thought the first part of the book was lecturing and posing in tone and that the narrators mispronounced many words. Then as the book progressed the whole feeling changed and I found myself really liking the story and thinking the narrators were good.

I know this isn't much of a help if you are trying to decide on whether or not to try the book. I'm afraid that I am of two minds and will have to give it all three stars and stand right in the middle. Parts of the book and narration are excellent and deserve 5 stars and parts are just dreadful. I will say that in the end I was glad I gave it a try and stuck with it, but I'm also glad the book was on sale and that I didn't spend a credit.

A little preachy, A little childish

The good are too good, the bad are unredemable. The philosophy is wonderful. Barbara Rosenblat, as always, is sublime, and Cassandra Morris is very good.

Sweet and Philosophical

If you're looking for action, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a character study and a philosophical exploration of the characters' Parisian world, look no further. The writing is, at times, poetic, and always self-assured. If you like Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series, or the Isabel Dalhousie series, you'll like The Elegance of the Hedgehog. The dramas are internal, small and mundane, but no less interesting for all their familiarity. The philosophical musings are sometimes so intricate that I had to rewind to listen a second time, and indeed I think this is a book that may be a better read than a listen. Nonetheless, Barbara Rosenblat's husky voice was perfect for 54-year-old Renee, and Cassandra Morris does a respectable job as 12-year-old Paloma.

Wonderful!

If you could sum up The Elegance of the Hedgehog in three words, what would they be?

Beautifully written

What other book might you compare The Elegance of the Hedgehog to and why?

I would not even try to compare this book with another. It stands alone as a most delightful escape. The use of language, the story, the laughter and the tears. Amazing, wonderful. Thank you for this book!

Which scene was your favorite?

The use of the comma. Incredible.

Sweet & memorable

The narrators are wonderful, particularly Barbara Rosenblat. The philosophical musings & literary references go on longer than desired, but because the fundamental story is so good, you'll find yourself recommending not only the book but the audio version. I don't speak French, so the audio version was so much more delightful because I could hear the pronunciations correctly.

Gorgeous

This book is beautifully written. the characters are engaging, especially Paloma. Her precocious Ness is only matched by Renee's humble wit. The end, while surprising, is perfect and left me with a feeling of sad contentment. I recommend this book to bibliophiles,. People who do not read a lot may still enjoy the book, but a true lover will "get" it.

beautiful, touching, so real

the story was, as it is titled, elegant in language and spirit. The characters came alive to me and became a part of my world for a brief time. A must read