The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

French title L'elegance du herisson
Audiobook
ISBN: 978-1-59887-925-4
Highbridge (2008 English)
Original material 2006 by Editions Gallimard, Paris
Read by Barbara Rosenblat and Cassandra Morris

Print version translated by Alison Anderson
978-1-933372-60-0
Europa editions, NY 2008
325 pages

Plot Summary

12-year-old Paloma and middle-aged widow Renee both live in an elegant Parisian apt. building but there the similarity appears to end. Paloma is the daughter of one of the wealthy owners while Renee is the almost invisible concierge. Both, however, are keeping the secrets of their superior intellects, Paloma because she is a child and Renee because it wouldn't suit her station in life. Neither are happy with their lives (and Paloma, in fact, is planning to commit suicide on her 13th birthday) until a new resident of the building comes into their lives. Kakuro Ozu is a wealthy, retired Japanese man who doesn't make the same type of class distinctions as the other building's inhabitants.

Critical Evaluation

This was not an easy book to listen to on audio as there were lots of French (and Russian) references that were difficult to catch (when reading the book you would be able to stop and look up an unfamiliar term). The story was a little "wordy" with not a lot of action. It definitely picked up with the addition of the third main character, Kakuro Ozu, who helped meld everything together as he befriended both Paloma and Renee, and saw them for the intelligent lonely people they were.

Reader's Annotation

Renee and Paloma have more in common than just being residents of the same elegant Parisian apt. building but it takes a newcomer, Japanese businessman Kakuro Ozu, to show them what they both have been missing.

Author Info

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is Muriel Barbery's 2nd book. Her first, Une gourmandise, has just been published in English in 2009. She has previously taught philosophy. She was born in Casablanca, was raised in France and now lives in Japan with her husband Stephane.

Genre

The young girl Paloma has been compared to Holden Caulfield, so this is a combination of a coming-of-age book and an adult crossover novel.

Curriculum Ties

Great book to use in French class because of all the cultural references.

Booktalking Ideas

1. Renee has dinner with Monsieur Ozu. She is so nervous that she has problems with his high-tech toilet. How is the tension broken? How does she overcome her nervousness?

2. Renee invites Paloma to tea. Discuss why and how the two become friends.

Reading/ Interest Level

Sophisticated high school age/ college and adult

Challenge Issues and Defense

talk of suicide

Must read the whole book; ultimately uplifting and life-affirming.

Library's collection development policy.

Adult book on international bestseller lists; numerous international awards including the 2007 French Librarians' Prize for Culture

Why I Included This Book

I included it partly for the coming-of-age aspect and partly as an adult cross-over novel. This book would appeal to smart, sophisticated teens, but if they are anything like me, they would need to look up some of the references. I thought of the book because it is such an international bestseller.