Description
Book Synopsis: The phenomenal New York Times bestseller that “explores the upstairs-downstairs goings-on of a posh Parisian apartment building” (Publishers Weekly). In an elegant hôtel particulier in Paris, Renée, the concierge, is all but invisible—short, plump, middle-aged, with bunions on her feet and an addiction to television soaps. Her only genuine attachment is to her cat, Leo. In short, she’s everything society expects from a concierge at a bourgeois building in an upscale neighborhood. But Renée has a secret: she furtively, ferociously devours art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With biting humor, she scrutinizes the lives of the tenants—her inferiors in every way except that of material wealth.
Paloma is a twelve-year-old who lives on the fifth floor. Talented and precocious, she’s come to terms with life’s seeming futility and decided to end her own on her thirteenth birthday. Until then, she will continue hiding her extraordinary intelligence behind a mask of mediocrity, acting the part of an average pre-teen high on pop culture, a good but not outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.
Paloma and Renée hide their true talents and finest qualities from a world they believe cannot or will not appreciate them. But after a wealthy Japanese man named Ozu arrives in the building, they will begin to recognize each other as kindred souls, in a novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us, and “teaches philosophical lessons by shrewdly exposing rich secret lives hidden beneath conventional exteriors” (Kirkus Reviews).
“The narrators’ kinetic minds and engaging voices (in Alison Anderson’s fluent translation) propel us ahead.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Barbery’s sly wit . . . bestows lightness on the most ponderous cogitations.”—The New Yorker
Details
Step into the enchanting world of "The Elegance of the Hedgehog", a mesmerizing New York Times bestseller that will transport you into the heart of a posh Parisian apartment building. Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of Renée, the almost invisible concierge who, despite society's expectations, harbors a secret passion for art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. Through her sharp wit and biting humor, Renée unravels the hidden lives of the affluent tenants, exposing the stark contrast between material wealth and genuine human connection.
Meet Paloma, a remarkably intelligent twelve-year-old living on the fifth floor. Concealing her brilliance behind a facade of mediocrity, Paloma hides her extraordinary talents and struggles with the futility of life. As fate brings Renée and Paloma together, their hidden worlds collide, and they discover a connection that transcends societal norms. Their meeting is a testament to the triumph of the underestimated, reminding us of the profound wisdom and beauty that often lie concealed beneath ordinary exteriors.
Prepare to be captivated by the masterful storytelling of "The Elegance of the Hedgehog". Alison Anderson's brilliant translation effortlessly captures the kinetic minds and engaging voices of the narrators, propelling you forward into a world teeming with hidden depths and unexpected revelations. Delve into the rich philosophical lessons cleverly interwoven throughout the novel, as Barbery's sly wit infuses even the most profound cogitations with a touch of lightness.
Unveil the hidden treasures of "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" and embark on a transformative journey of discovery. Don't miss out on this extraordinary literary masterpiece that has captured the hearts and minds of readers worldwide. Experience the elegance for yourself - get your copy now and enter a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
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