The Elegance of the Hedgehog in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 03, 2021 Nadine in NY Jones marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: fiction, translation, wouldnt-normally-read, 1001-books

When you know, you know, right? I know this didn't work for me. If you like intellectual, grumpy, snooty, elderly women and intellectual, precocious children, then this is all for you! I had no patience with it. DNF at 9%

(I skipped ahead and read the last few chapters, too. I was not inspired to go back and read the rest.)

Hesitantly recommended for fans of A Man Called Ove and/or The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. (Both are popular books that I did not care for, and they both had characters ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 20, 2010 SarahC rated it it was ok

Shelves: four-seasons

Renee Michel works as a concierge, serving the residents of a high-end apartment building. She has the perfect observation point of the daily actions of the upper middle class residents. It seems that little can be hidden by those who live under the same roof, even in a large apartment house. Renee sees the temperaments, prejudices, and pseudo-education of those who pass before her. Renee believes she is surrounded by very superficial lives.

The widowed Renee, from an impoverished past, has lived Renee Michel works as a concierge, serving the residents of a high-end apartment building. She has the perfect observation point of the daily actions of the upper middle class residents. It seems that little can be hidden by those who live under the same roof, even in a large apartment house. Renee sees the temperaments, prejudices, and pseudo-education of those who pass before her. Renee believes she is surrounded by very superficial lives.

The widowed Renee, from an impoverished past, has lived many years as a scholar of the fine things in life and has developed deep appreciation of language, music, and art. Her defining mode of life is that of hiding her knowledge away -- she has led a clandestine life of the mind. The question soon surfaces as you read: doesn’t a life in hiding mean there are things she has missed about the people she encounters? Is she simply wrong in her impressions and perceptions of these passing acquaintances?

We are soon introduced to Paloma, the youngest child of one of resident families. Paloma is in a search for answers to many things -- but primarily the reason why she should continue to exist at all. Renee and Paloma will intersect when Paloma is intrigued by this concierge who hides her true erudite ways. And Paloma seeks Renee’s protected sphere in which to rest and hide her own thoughts.

Intriguing as Renee’s beliefs are, she has created an artificial barrier between herself and life. She doesn’t touch the community -- she never visits a hairstylist, she orders even her socks and underthings by mail. Even though she has worked to broaden her mind, she still seems to live with notions too much.

The novel is full of observations and it questions knowledge, class, philosophy, and emotion. It is a weighty story and moves slowly. It becomes quicker and lighter at times, but a heaviness concludes the story. It is a unique novel and has gained much praise due to that. This uniqueness doesn’t make up for all the separate elements here that aren’t particularly strong. ...more

Like · see review

May 05, 2010 Katie rated it it was ok

Shelves: ___europe, female-author, translated, _france

This book is told from the perspective of two characters in a Paris apartment. One is the concierge and the other is a twelve year old resident. The book mostly consists of their musings on the wealthy apartment dwellers, art, beauty, social class, etc. It is held together by a small storyline. Some of their musings on social class were entertaining/insightful, but I was mostly just annoyed. I found the writing to be pretentious and self-indulgent. The characters' meanderings on language, litera ...more

Like · see review

Sep 17, 2015 Jillian rated it did not like it

Nope. Did not like this. Listened to this on audiobook and felt so frustrated at everyone. The plight of the poor educated elite; People pretending to be stupid when they are smart; Some fetishized view of Asian culture; A snobby, obnoxious girl who thinks that suicidal ideation makes her compelling? I couldn't care for anyone and the whole tone of snob was very off-putting. ...more

Like · see review

Jul 02, 2009 Erin (NY) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, translation, read-in-2010, book-club, my-bookclub-pick

I thought this book was wonderful! There is not too much of a plot but the characters are so interesting and quirky. It also makes you think about things such as beauty, literature and art. It is totally worth the read!

Like · see review