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I have a difficult time rating this one because, all things considered, I enjoyed this book more than 3 stars worth ... but it's a book that I don't think would appeal to many people and it's even more difficult to explain why.
The book centers on Renee Michel, a 50something year old concierge in a wealthy Parisian apartment building and, to a somewhat lesser extent, on Paloma, a 12 year old girl living in one of the apartments in the building. Both are highly intelligent and yet feel disconnecte ...more
The book centers on Renee Michel, a 50something year old concierge in a wealthy Parisian apartment building and, to a somewhat lesser extent, on Paloma, a 12 year old girl living in one of the apartments in the building. Both are highly intelligent and yet feel disconnecte ...more
For whatever reason, I’m losing my ability to read French books; their language sounds now usually dull and pompous to me. It is a strange phenomenon for someone who has devoured so many French books.
As I couldn’t anyway find this one in French in the US, I listened to its English version, and oh, what a delight!
Of course, if you have never lived in an apartment building with a “concierge”, this book may be difficult for you to appreciate in its full worth and beauty.
The “concierge” is so often ...more
As I couldn’t anyway find this one in French in the US, I listened to its English version, and oh, what a delight!
Of course, if you have never lived in an apartment building with a “concierge”, this book may be difficult for you to appreciate in its full worth and beauty.
The “concierge” is so often ...more
Hmm, about halfway through, interesting characters and story, but the phlosophical speculations are a little too elaborate at times, which makes my mind wander away from the story and loose interest.
Done!
All in all a nice read with great characters, although Paloma, especially at first, didn't seem all that credible a character to me.
(view spoiler) ...more
Done!
All in all a nice read with great characters, although Paloma, especially at first, didn't seem all that credible a character to me.
(view spoiler) ...more
EXCELLENT!!! Really enjoyed this book. It doesn't describe France in the same depth that Ethiopia is discussed in Cutting for Stone. It shows a different aspect of the people perhaps. It is more importantly a book for readers. It does show the class / caste thing which has appeared in other works of world literature, albeit in different manners and various degrees. It not only showed the disparities of income and upbringing but also of intellect and education.
...more
I was never trained in philosophical gymnastics. And am not an intellectual equal for this book.
Apr 09, 2011
Barbara
marked it as to-read
Sep 18, 2011
Angela
marked it as to-read
Apr 01, 2012
Pragya
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2012
Amber
marked it as to-read
Jun 29, 2014
mussolet
marked it as 2024-shelf-challenge
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review of another edition
Shelves:
2021-sorted,
language-german
Feb 03, 2015
Petra
marked it as to-read
Dec 08, 2015
Elena
marked it as to-read
Jan 14, 2016
Cindy
marked it as to-read
Jan 28, 2016
Sabahat
marked it as to-read
Nov 13, 2016
Aleks Veselovsky
marked it as to-read
