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The Elegance of the Hedgehog: The International Bestseller (Editions Gallic) Paperback – International Edition, 14 May 2009

4.1 out of 5 stars 2,499 ratings
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OVER 10 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD

‘Resistance is futile’ The Guardian

‘Clever, informative and moving’ The Observer

'Witty and touching' Gillian Anderson

Renée is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building. She maintains a carefully constructed persona as someone uncultivated but reliable, in keeping with what she feels a concierge should be. But beneath this facade lies the real Renée: passionate about culture and the arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives.

Down in her lodge, apart from weekly visits by her one friend Manuela, Renée lives with only her cat for company. Meanwhile, several floors up, twelve-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her, and decides to end her life on her thirteenth birthday. But unknown to them both, the sudden death of one of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives forever.

By turns moving and hilarious, this unusual novel was described by Le Figaro as ‘the publishing phenomenon of the decade’.

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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Gallic Books
  4. Publication date
    14 May 2009
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    12.85 x 2.03 x 19.84 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    9781906040185
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1906040185
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Product description

Review

Resistance is futile ... you might as well buy it before someone recommends it for your book group. Its charm will make you say yes. --Guardian
This breathtakingly singular novel...is totally French yet completely universal. --Good Housekeeping

Clever, informative and moving ... this is an admirable novel which deserves as wide a readership here as it had in France.-- The Observer
The novel wins over its fans with a life-affirming message, a generous portion of heart and Barbery's frequently wicked sense of humor. --Time Magazine

A book of great charm and grace.--The Metro
Reveals itself as a version of the Cinderella fairytale. --Financial Times
The book's attractive, Amélie-esque Parisian setting and cast of eccentrics will appeal to many. --Sunday Telegraph

From the Back Cover

Rene is the concierge of a Parisian apartment building. She is passionate about culture and the arts. Several floors up, 12-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her. But unknown to them both, the sudden death of one of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives forever.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1906040184
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallic Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 14 May 2009
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 0
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781906040185
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1906040185
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.85 x 2.03 x 19.84 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 176,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 2,499 ratings

About the author

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Muriel Barbery

Muriel Barbery

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Muriel Barbery (born 28 May 1969) is a French novelist and professor of philosophy.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Elena Torre from Viareggio, Italia (Muriel Barbery) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
2,499 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book well-written and thought-provoking, appreciating its stunning use of language and how it touches on aspects of philosophy and social commentary. The storyline features a major twist at the end, and customers praise the compelling characters. While some customers say the book warms up about halfway through, others find it not fast-paced. The ending receives mixed reactions, with some customers crying at passages while others find it unexpectedly sad.

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ReadabilityThought provokingWriting qualityEleganceStorylineCharacter developmentPacingEnding
117 customers mention ‘Readability’102 positive15 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one customer noting how delightful it is from the first page.

"...Whether it's elegant prose, delightful (and not so delightful) characters, or, as many of the chapter titles will describe, Profound Thoughts, there..." Read more

"...I admit I skimmed some passages but in the end it was a good read." Read more

"...Life turns out differently for them both. The story is sweet and engaging, and reveals the hidden but private depths in these two characters...." Read more

"An enjoyable read, which I had started to read -slowly- in its original French. I think the translation keeps closely to Barbery's original...." Read more

86 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’63 positive23 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, describing it as a philosophical novel that touches on aspects of philosophy and social commentary.

"This an interesting and somewhat curious novel. It is a philosophical novel, but much less didactic than Sophie's World, for example...." Read more

"...I loved it and caught up with the movie version. It is funny, sad, intelligent and really original." Read more

"...Very first impressions were that it was a bit pretentious and somewhat academic in tone and presentation...." Read more

"...It is eloquent, sombre, and thought-provoking...." Read more

80 customers mention ‘Writing quality’56 positive24 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its wit and incredible use of language, with one customer highlighting its sparkling dialogue.

"Warm, funny and memorable, this book is one I shall reread many times...." Read more

"This book is very well written, with some beautiful phrases and an unusual style...." Read more

"Looses something in the translation but after a slow monotonous start I ended up enjoying the book. Not a page turner" Read more

"Lovely characters, beautifully written, very thought provoking, with incredible use of language, nuances Could only read it in short bursts!" Read more

37 customers mention ‘Elegance’37 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's elegance, describing it as charming and well-drawn, with one customer noting its gorgeous literary proportions.

"...of class, the servant relationship and the giving up of hope were well drawn and helpful...." Read more

"...The story is a bit sentimental but it is charming and very entertaining." Read more

"...The book leans heavily on the philosophies of life, art, and love...." Read more

"...There are wonderful moments of suspended time and beauty, which are convincingly written and leave one with a sense of truth and beauty..." Read more

33 customers mention ‘Storyline’29 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, particularly its major twist at the end, with one customer noting its profound and moving conclusion.

"...It has a quality of difference and depth that make it intriguing and exotic...." Read more

"...Unusual and uplifting - a truly fascinating read." Read more

"...There is a lot of humour and a major twist at the end so it kept me reading and gave the Oh factor at the end...." Read more

"...It's an excellent story that will stay with you for a while, for a number of reasons." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Character development’20 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer highlighting the unexpected heroine Renée and another noting the splendid supporting cast.

"Loved the characters in this fabulous book...." Read more

"...Essentially there are very good characterisations of the protaganists, but one never really cares about them...." Read more

"...The peripheral characters are not painted very strongly but they are the background to the unfolding storyline of a seemingly grumpy concierge and..." Read more

"There are three main characters, Renee the concierge who is trying to hide the fact that she is interested in art and literature from those in her..." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Pacing’8 positive15 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it moving and warming up halfway through, while others note it is not fast-paced.

"...Yes, the philosophising is wearing at times, the story takes a while to get going, and I didn’t quite believe in the characters, but I liked the warm..." Read more

"I found the book very pretentious, but also moving and readable if you don't give up." Read more

"...Told in turn by two unreliable, disturbed, apparently smug ("I am super clever but no one must know" they say over and over) narrators the..." Read more

"I liked the idea of this but the book was tedious to say the least...." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Ending’9 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the ending of the book, with some crying at passages and finding it unexpectedly sad, while others describe it as heart-breaking.

"I really enjoyed this book, but was disappointed by the ending." Read more

"...I loved it and caught up with the movie version. It is funny, sad, intelligent and really original." Read more

"...reading - and probably worth reading twice, despite the unexpected and sad ending." Read more

"...conveys different emotions to the reader including some humour and sadness...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Tony Buckley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly delightful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book was quite a surprise: I was only reading it because it was suggested as a book club read. Very first impressions were that it was a bit pretentious and somewhat academic in tone and presentation. However it turned out to be absolutely delightful. The story revolves around an ageing concierge in a Paris apartment, who was a great deal more intelligent and intellectually curious than anyone suspected or than she was prepared to show, and a young girl, Paloma, who lived with her family in the building. Paloma was also bright, and her interests diverged from those of her family and particularly her irritating elder sister. Eventually both these characters form a bond, and become companions and confidants. This relationship was enhanced by the arrival of Karuko Ozu, a wealthy Japanese businessman who took an interest in them and developed a friendship with both. Paloma was intent on commiting suicide on a her 13th birthday in order to avoid the sort of life that she foresaw as inevitable. Parts of the book are her notes and observations leading up to this. Life turns out differently for them both. The story is sweet and engaging, and reveals the hidden but private depths in these two characters. However for me, the real beauty of this book lies in its penetrating observations, in its humour and its stunning use of language. All the more surprising as it is translated from the French - it might be thought that some of the ideas and language would not translate that well - so great credit too to the translator, Alison Anderson, as well as Muriel Barbery. Also, despite my initial impressions, the book is extremely easy to read, as it comprises very short chapters, so rapid scene changes keep one's interest.
    A great read - almost in the same league as Carl Ruiz Zafon (-The Shadow of the Wind - another book read in translation)
    7 people found this helpful
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  • J
    4.0 out of 5 stars A challenging read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The elegance of the hedgehog is probably not something I would have read if it was not a book group choice. Having read it and discussed it I actually enjoyed it a great deal but only give it 4 stars because much of the language in the early part of the book is rather pretentious and unnecessarily complex. It may just be a poor translation. However if you can skip the heavy philosophical bits and concentrate on the story and the two main characters you will find it a rewarding read. The peripheral characters are not painted very strongly but they are the background to the unfolding storyline of a seemingly grumpy concierge and a typical pre teen. They are both not what they seem and are acting out an enjoyable deception on the other residents of the posh block of Parisian apartments. The introduction about halfway through of a third major character changes the story completely and makes it lighter and easier to read. There is a lot of humour and a major twist at the end so it kept me reading and gave the Oh factor at the end. Do persist with it if you buy it as it is a really worthwhile book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Franky
    5.0 out of 5 stars An elegant read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I hadn't read a novel for some time, but am glad I rekindled my joy of reading fiction with this book. I happened on it by chance, and was intrigued by the title. I was afraid that it would turn into another fifty-page endeavour that would lie unread in my spare-room; I am pleased to say this never happened. The book leans heavily on the philosophies of life, art, and love. It disects the attitudes of the class society, and presents us with the vagaries of humanity -- rich and poor -- and the dissatisfaction many of us face throughout life. Unsurprisingly, my research of the author revealed her background in the studies of philosophy, which is clear from the text.
    This book will appeal on many levels. Whether it's elegant prose, delightful (and not so delightful) characters, or, as many of the chapter titles will describe, Profound Thoughts, there is something for everyone. It is eloquent, sombre, and thought-provoking. I would even go as far as suggesting this could serve as a rudimentary introduction to the study of philosophy, or to ignite a desire to study the humanities in general.
    Overall, I'm happy I found this book, and glad it became one of the few I was able to glide through effortlessly, without feeling my investment -- financially and intellectually -- had been compromised. It's an excellent story that will stay with you for a while, for a number of reasons.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Francella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in Italy on 28 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have it in Italian and English. I love this book and will read it, again and again, every now and then!
    Report
  • Jesús Rodríguez Santiago
    3.0 out of 5 stars The elegance of ...
    Reviewed in Spain on 3 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Letra algo pequeña y calidad del papel algo justa
    Report
  • htk
    4.0 out of 5 stars 私も自己防御をhedgehogにたとえたけれど
    Reviewed in Japan on 5 November 2021
    Verified Purchase
    作者がフランス人であることも知らず、英文reviewにひかれて読んでみた。一つには、かつてハリネズミのようにな人生を送らないための選択をした自分の経験と照らし合わせたかったからである。全く思いがけないストーリーでびっくり。美貌には程遠い主人公のルネは、高級マンションの管理人として被った殻を見破って内面を認めてくれた男性と結婚し、貧しいけれど幸せな人生を送る。その夫を亡くし、やがてその高級マンションを買った日本人男性が彼女の内面を見破り、彼女に第二の人生がありそうな方向にどんどん動いていく。こんな日本人男性いないよね、と思いながらも、マンガは出てくるは、ラーメン・寿司は出てくるは、何ともこそばゆく、どうなるかと読み進めていくと、突然の結末。びっくりするような話だったが、こういう見方をする外国人作家がいるのかと、面白かった。一読の価値はあると思う。
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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Uma história tocante
    Reviewed in Brazil on 17 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    O livro apresenta uma história extremamente humana, relatada com sensibilidade enorme, sem ter caído em tom piegas.
    A abordagem também é bastante original, através de dois relatos em primeira pessoa, ora contrastando ora confirmando um ao outro.
    Merece ser destacado o como o leitor vai se envolvendo emocionalmente com os personagens.
    Em suma, um excelente livro!
    Report
  • Jamie P. Webb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book in last 10 years-a must read-perfect condition
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I just loved this book and all my friends do too. This book is about the meaning of life and the charachters are so well developed and the writing is beautiful. This book has been translated from French into English and it's not available on Kindle so I purchased it here and can't wait to read it again. I highly recommend this book but I also read her first book Gourmet Rhapsody and didn't think it was nearly as good and actually ended up putting it down.
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