The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

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The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a witty and satirical reflection on culture and appearances. Throughout the friendship between a gifted 12-year old and a concierge who is more than what she lets on, Muriel Barbery denounces the pretentions of the French bourgeoisie and their tendency to rely only on appearances.

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This practical and insightful book
   • A complete plot summary
   • Character studies
   • Key themes and symbols
   • Questions for further reflection

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Genres: Fiction

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2015

Reviews

[Dianna Applebaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the perspective of Renee, the concierge and Paloma, a young resident of the hotel, epistolary in format, I felt enriched by reading it. Renee's philosophical thoughts and Paloma's journaling, intersperse each other brilliantly and oh so eloquently. It was a joy to read in it's simplicity and calm meditations on the ordinary things in life; a cup of tea or a camellia flower; a dog or a cake. It was indeed elegant and cultured, yet funny and heart shatteringly sad if you let it in.
I loved the perfection in the writing, the insight and intuition of people and the intellectual musings of it's characters.

The friendships made in this hotel are meaningful, interesting and filled with mutual respect, understanding and love; their vulnerabilities exposed behind closed doors.

It is a quiet novel that requires attention and a slow deep read

[Marina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read about half of the book, and I am not one to give up on books, but I need to give up this one. I don't know if it is because is a French book, but I don't get it and I am tired of reading and reading and nothing really is keeping my interest.

[Kristin Horras · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Quit after about 1/4 of the way through. I consider myself a well read, literate person. But this was... Excessively verbose? Feel like my brain choked.

[Elizabeth Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful language. Lots of sometimes quirky philosophy. The plot developes very slowly and is not the main focus of this book, which explores themes of class, entitlement, money and grammar with quiet humour and lots of insight

[Maria Pfaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Azzal a bizonyossaggal kell elnunk, hogy megoregszunk es az nem lesz sem szep, sem jo, sem vicces... a most szamit: letrehozni most valamit, mindenaron, minden eronkbol."

[Plaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending !!

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Philosophical book which wasn't for me.

[Will Lloyd-Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, worth trying if you can look past the obnoxious/precocious framing.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black rain and blade runner movies
Ridley Scott movies Always within Never
The Beauty of this world. Paloma the 12 ur old.