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)

Well, it's not "The Passage", after all...

This first half of this novel is all about two people who need each other that keep missing each other as they work hard at hiding from everyone else. Paloma and Madame Michel are hard to like at first, both very intelligent but alienated and snobbish in their own way as they judge the people around them. It isn't until the second half of the novel, with the appearance of the wonderful and gracious Mr. Ozu, that they come alive and connect-- and so does the novel for the reader.

I really loved this novel, even as I admit that I mentally checked out during some of intellectual discourses of Paloma and Madame Michel. There is a scene in which Paloma is having tea with Mr. Ozu and blatantly mentions to the reader that she is not even listening to what he is saying, but that being with him, the person, is a wonderful feeling. That is exactly how I felt with this book--I didn't always listen to the lecturing, but I developed a huge amount of affection for the characters. I also loved the sound of Barbara Rosenblat's voice and loved her performance, and that of Cassandra Morris. Highly recommend this book.

Thought provoking. Brilliant narrations.

What made the experience of listening to Elegance of the Hedgehog the most enjoyable?

The narrators were brilliant. They both assumed the role of their characters and were emotionally convincing. I thought it was an elegant and smart way to translate the book, in which the dialogue of each character was printed in a different typeface.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Elegance of the Hedgehog?

The juxtaposition of the reality of Renee's death and Paloma's realisation of her will to live.

Which character – as performed by Barbara Rosenblat and Cassandra Morris – was your favorite?

I find them both equally engaging and entertaining.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh and, towards the end of the book, cry.

Annoying voice and narrative

I couldn't listen for long as the young woman's voice is screechy and hard to listen to. I also couldn't get into a story when all the two main characters do is complain about the world and think they are better than everyone else. All in all, very annoying.

Simply Stunning

While this novel is not exactly an epic tale with excitement and adventure, it is a beautifully crafted tale that connects deeply with the reader on every page. From the organization of the novel to the text itself, every page is a gorgeous example of perfect literature, and it is most certainly a must read for everyone.

absolutely amazing!

one of the best novels I've ever read. you must listen to the audio book more than once. it surely isn't a difficult story to follow but a joy to go back to!

Amazing narration!

It took a good deal of time to get going, but ended up being a very touching story about friendships, both new and old. Barbara Rosenblatt is a phenomenal narrator, and the young girl who narrates Paloma’s part was terrific as well.

Heartwarming story about loneliness and beauty.

As story develops I liked it more and more, especially the inspiring end. Depression gone.

Great until the end

Well narrated, and the story is excellent for 98% of the book, but the ending was unnecessary. I understand what she is trying to accomplish, but personally I felt it detracted from an otherwise great novel.

A+, and then some!

For me, this story did not take flight immediately, but that was quickly overcome by the splendid narration, or should I say, enactment, of Barbara Rosenblat and Cassandra Morris. These two ladies added a fine layer of storytelling that would have sorely been missed had I simply bought the hardcopy. I felt like these characters were people I knew personally, and was sad to have the story come to an end. Of course this lovely creation by Muriel Barbery was superb. It is one of the best books I've listened to, and will hold a treasured place in my audible library. Thank you so much for this audible version. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Interesting "read"

Interesting slice of life from the views of a lonely, imaginative tween and a previously crusty, isolated by choice concierge, Their lives are changed by their accidental relationship.