show more The novel is primarily a character study of concierge Renee Michel and one of the young tenants, Paloma Josse. Renee is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building, home to members of the great and the good. The novel changes point of view between the two characters as it tells the story of their unlikely friendship. This was one of the best books I've read in the last few months - definitely one to pick up on your next order. Translated from the French, there were definitely some cultural references that I, as an American, did not understand at all, but there were also common human elements that really came across at the end. There are two narrators in The Elegance of the Hedgehog: the concierge at 7, rue de Grenelle, a fifty-four-year old widow named Renée Michel, and Paloma Josse, the twelve-year old daughter one of the wealthy families living in the house.They share some common traits, most notably that they are very intelligent -- and that they're doing their best to hide that fact. "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" is a great book, written with stylistically lovely prose and biting wit. Alison Anderson 's translations for Europa Editions include novels by Sélim Nassib, Amélie Nothomb, and Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. Muriel Barbery is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Europa, 2008), and Gourmet Rhapsody (Europa, 2009). The hedgehog of the title is Renée Michel, a 54-year-old widow who is concierge of a swanky Parisian apartment block. She has lived in Kyoto, Amsterdam and now lives in the French countryside. About the Book The Elegance of the Hedgehog. The complete review's Review: . But she cultivates that image, and underneath her purposely plain exterior is a quick, intelligent brain. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a French novel by Muriel Barbery. It's very much a character-driven book with little plot, but once the characters begin to grab you, you'll be hooked. The Elegance of the Hedgehog has gone on to sell more than 6 million copies worldwide and has been described by Le Figaro as `the publishing phenomenon of the decade'. The Elegance of the Hedgehog: Review of The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, plus back-story and other interesting facts about the book. Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery. Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery Renee Michel is, at first glance, a nondescript middle-aged concierge of an apartment building in Paris. by Muriel Barbery. Walking a careful line between popular and literary fiction, […] ISBN-13: 9781933372600 Summary We are in the center of Paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbery & translated by Alison Anderson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 26, 2008 The second novel (but first to be published in the United States) from France-based author Barbery teaches philosophical lessons by shrewdly exposing rich secret lives hidden beneath conventional exteriors. We’re considering expanding this synopsis into a full-length study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why it's important. The Elegance of the Hedgehog Muriel Barbery, 2007 Penguin Group USA 336 pp. The Elegance of the Hedgehog Muriel Barbery, 2007 Penguin Group USA 336 pp. Barbery attained fame with her second novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog. “The Elegance of Muriel: An Author Profile of Muriel Barbery” via Publishers Weekly New York Times book review of The Elegance of the Hedgehog LitLovers discussion guide “France’s Iconic ‘Concierge’ — a Dying Breed?” video: Critic and educator Robert Adams lectures on The Elegance of the Hedgehog Reviews; The Elegance of the Hedgehog; The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Muriel Barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and bestselling author. This one-page guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of The Elegance Of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. ISBN-13: 9781933372600 Summary We are in the center of Paris, in an elegant apartment building inhabited by bourgeois families. The book topped the French best-seller lists for 30 consecutive weeks and was reprinted 50 times.