The Elegance of the Hedgehog in Constant Reader

Jun 07, 2013 Paige rated it liked it

I almost quit this book halfway through, so for it to redeem itself up to 3 stars is pretty surprising.

I wonder if this book would have worked out as well if it had been a short story or a novella instead of a full-fledged novel. The beginning 40% of the book didn't even have to be there. I mean, I can take philosophizing--at one point I was seriously considering being a philosophy major, and Peter actually was one. But I didn't find the philosophy to be all that interesting and/or original, an I almost quit this book halfway through, so for it to redeem itself up to 3 stars is pretty surprising.

I wonder if this book would have worked out as well if it had been a short story or a novella instead of a full-fledged novel. The beginning 40% of the book didn't even have to be there. I mean, I can take philosophizing--at one point I was seriously considering being a philosophy major, and Peter actually was one. But I didn't find the philosophy to be all that interesting and/or original, and it seems like it was done in the place of other sorts of characterization. I read in a discussion of this book that someone thought the author was using Paloma & Renee as "mouthpieces" instead of actually developing them, and I definitely agree. I think it was a more effective technique in Paloma's case than Renee's (although maybe that's because I could identify with Paloma more), although it was effective with both of them, to a point... but it got old quickly. I understand that they are in all likelihood intentionally obnoxious but you seriously don't have to beat us around the head with that stuff. Half the book is just too much.

Other than that, though, I liked the story itself. There was some funny stuff, I enjoyed the development of the characters and their interactions. It was pretty good once they started interacting with someone besides themselves...but I'll repeat that I almost didn't make it to that point. I was set on picking up a new book but I looked through my friends' reviews one more time, which convinced me to stick it out. I thought the ending was a bit of a cop out, like maybe the author didn't know what to do with (view spoiler) ...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Dana Arbelaez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1001-books-i-ve-finished, five-stars

This book was perhaps one of the most thought-provoking, soulfood reads I've had the pleasure of getting absorbed by in quite some time. Barbery's insight into the "human condition" both broke my heart and had me rushing to my journal to agree wholeheartedly with much of her sentiments. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, especially those looking for answers or the place to start asking questions.

Simply put, Beauty well and truly captured. ...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Katie rated it liked it

I really wish I could give this more stars, because it was a wonderfully written book with interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it, except for the ending. I felt like the author wrote herself into a corner, and then bailed out when it got too difficult to figure out how to resolve. That was the most disappointing part, for me. But otherwise enjoyed the rest of it very much.

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Mar 13, 2013 Cynthia rated it really liked it

Slow start, but interesting concept. The ending was quite unexpected. I think the discussion with my book club will be quite lively.

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May 01, 2013 Beth rated it it was amazing

This is a beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking book.

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Oct 25, 2009 Wendy rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, 2009

Tedious

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Jan 30, 2013 Diane rated it liked it

Shelves: 2013

This wasn't a bad book, but just not my cup of tea. It took me forever to read, I read most books in a day or two. I just didn't like the characters. ...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: france, modern-lit, audio

Philosophy is definitely not my strong suit, but Barbery does a nice job here of making it accessible and enjoyable to read. Each character is fully realized and you can't help but root for them to find the enjoyment in each other that they richly deserve. ...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Linda rated it really liked it

I have two friends who's advice I respect. One of them hated this book and the other loved it. Hmmm. Quandary. So I picked it up and put it down several times until, about halfway through, it grabbed me. I loved this book. ...more

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