On a side note, the book I read had many footnotes from the translator explaining the cultural (especially European) and philosophical references. This is one of those books that you can read several times and discover something new each and every time. The two narrators’ sharp minds and wit come off the pages as well as Barbery’s talent in writing philosophical fiction. The story is told through short chapters, more like a collection of essays but it works wonderfully. But the more I read, and I’m glad I did, the book slid from being overly structured to graceful. In the beginning, I thought this was the case, all the talk about Proust, Tolstoy, philosophy, and famed Japanese filmmaker Yasujirō Ozu’s movies seemed to hover above the line of clever and too clever. The two of them have much in common (love of Japanese culture, similar views on existence, disdain for the absurd life of the wealthy who live in the building, and more) even though they come from very different backgrounds and generations.Īs I mentioned, I don’t like books that talk down to the reader, books that are too forced and self-important. The reader sees the world through Renée, but only gets to read Paloma’s writing which she calls “ Profound Thoughts”. The book alternated between the two ladies.

Paloma plans to commit suicide once she turns 13. Paloma, the second narrator, is a 12-year-old girl who lives in the building where Renée works (and lives in as well). Renée is a widowed concierge in her 50s, she is self-conscious and thinks she will lead an easy life if the doesn’t let others know how smart she is.

It is the smart, funny, and touching story of two narrators. I have heard of this book but I have little tolerance for authors who consider themselves intellectuals and talk down to their readers. When I first started reading “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery I didn’t know what to think of it. More Books Translated by Alison Anderson* Thoughts: My rating for The Elegance of the Hedgehog – 4īuy The Elegance of the Hedgehog from * The book discusses philosophy, culture, the class system, and more – sometimes on account of a strong story. “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery is a fictional book set in Paris, France.

The elegance of the hedgehog book