Wednesday, June 02, 2010

First Wednesday's Book Review Club











THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG
, Muriel Barbery

This novel, a selection of my reading group, at first put me off. Who wants to read, or in my case listen, to the philosophical ramblings of a 54 year old French concierge and a rich 12 year old suicidal child in a Paris apartment building. But perhaps because I listened to rather than read this book, I soon became engaged with it. On vacation in Paris, I was also seduced by the setting.
Renee Michel, a fifty-four-year-old woman of humble origins, is concierge in a Parisian apartment building. Renee quit school at age twelve, but throughout her life she has studied philosophy, literature, film and art. She hides her intelligence from the residents of her building. She puts on the mantle of the grumpy, unintelligent concierge for reasons that become clear over time.

Also we hear the diary of Paloma Josse, a twelve-year-old who also lives in the apartment building. Like Renee, Paloma pretends to be average so as to be ignored--to be left alone. Paloma plans to commit suicide on her thirteenth birthday. She sees no reason to continue life with her rich, uninterested family. If her fate is to become like them, she'd sooner die.

Thus the lives of Renee and Paloma are similar and we wait for them to discover this. We wait for them to find and save each other.

One day, Kakuro Ozu, a Japanese businessman, moves in. Both women find their salvation in his interest in them and eventually each other. They create their own salon.

This book won me over due to the acerbic, uncompromising nature of both women. And yet, beneath their cynicism lie hearts eager to be won. Madame Michel asks herself, "What is the purpose of intelligence if it is not to serve others?" If only we all could embrace this sentiment.

Again, this is not an easy book to sink into. But don't be put off by her philosophizing. She's worth your perseverance.

For more reviews, check out Barrie Summy's blog.

12 comments:

Hannah Stoneham said...

Sounds good, and because it is set in Paris I am especially interested! it sounds like the characters are built up very well.

thanks for sharing Patti

Hannah

Anonymous said...

Now you've intrigued me. As you know, I love books set in exotic locales - what fun for you to discover this while in Paris - another favorite activity of mine - going on location during/after reading about a place.

Barrie said...

Patti, I really like the sounds of this book. I know it got some great reviews. In general, did your book club love it? Thanks for the review!

Richard Robinson said...

Honestly, this sounds like one of those books I'd buy but would sit on the shelf for the next decade and possibly get read, or never get read. It's almost one of those "really should read" books, and I seem to seldom get to them. Does the writing style pull you along, or is the whole thing a bit of a slog?

Linda McLaughlin said...

Patti, it sounds like there's a lot more to this book than first meets the eye, or in your case, the ear. Glad you enjoyed it.

Sarah Laurence said...

I was put off too. I gave up after reading a chunk in the bookstore and bought another book instead. Your review makes me wish I’d kept reading.

pattinase (abbott) said...

What pulls you along--because there is very little plot--is the voices of the two women-well girl and woman. Their intelligence and loneliness are palpable. It is definitely a literary read-my book group does it next week. They are moaning about it via email though. It's a book I would not have finished and that would have been a shame.

Lucy said...

It sounds like a good book. I might have to check it out. :)

Charlieopera said...

Patti: I reviewed this one a while ago. You're right about the voices ... the problem for me was my limited vocabularly ... I needed a dictionary every other pargraph it seemed. Otherwise, it was enjoyable.

http://temporaryknucksline.blogspot.com/2010/03/reviews-no-more-politics-and-opera.html

pattinase (abbott) said...

Charlie-I listened to it on tape and thusly didn't feel compelled to look words up. (I was on a plane and couldn't actually). And I am used to philosophical ramblings from my husband. I learned a long time ago to smile and nod.

kayerj said...

don't you love it when books surprise you. thanks for stopping by.

Ellen Booraem said...

This one sounds like it's worth the effort. Great review--a good incentive to give this book a chance to grab you. Thanks for it!