Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog
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Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Grace on Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:53 pm
My best friend gave me this novel for Christmas, and I am reading it now (though technically I should be finishing my paper). It somehow draws me it, although it is nothing like the novels I usually read. There are two perspectives: a concierge's and a teenager's point of view. Both are extremely intelligent, and try to hide that fact from others. The teenager plans to kill herself in a few months, but I guess their ways will cross before that happens, and the concierge will save her somehow.
What fascinates me most is how the teenager usually starts her chapters with a title like "Profound Thought #1", and you naturally expect some completely teenager-like rubbish to follow - but the text turns out to actually contain a profound thought.
The novel takes place in Paris. If that wasn't printed on the cover, you'd still know - it feels distinctly Parisian. I don't know how many of you have been to Paris, but the city has a typical feeling to it: part metropolis, part history, part art, part flea market. I always take particular pleasure in reading books in their settings, so I'll take the novel with me on my next trip to Paris (which I hope will be soon).
What fascinates me most is how the teenager usually starts her chapters with a title like "Profound Thought #1", and you naturally expect some completely teenager-like rubbish to follow - but the text turns out to actually contain a profound thought.
The novel takes place in Paris. If that wasn't printed on the cover, you'd still know - it feels distinctly Parisian. I don't know how many of you have been to Paris, but the city has a typical feeling to it: part metropolis, part history, part art, part flea market. I always take particular pleasure in reading books in their settings, so I'll take the novel with me on my next trip to Paris (which I hope will be soon).
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Grace- Admin
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Dictionary Definition: Laura: Also known as "Solveig", her internet pseudonym, this female specimen of Homo Sapiens founded the Literary Cabinet world. One can spot "Laura," by the fun she has grading papers, taking cigarette breaks, and drinking coffee. Like another species, Homo Sapiens Zarasahanous, she enjoys picking at the extreme Twilight fans. This specimen is particularly fond of procrastinating, as most of the other species of the Literary Cabinet Universe are.
Registration date: 2008-12-02 
Re: Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Howl on Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:04 pm
I'm glad you're enjoying this book! I came across it in Barnes and Noble one day, and the title attracted my attention. I'm normally wary of new and popular fiction, though, so I never purchased it.
I think I'll add it to my to-read list now, however.
I think I'll add it to my to-read list now, however.
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Registration date: 2008-12-03 -
Re: Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Louisa Fai on Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:49 pm
Wow, it sounds really interesting, Laura! I'll check it out after I finish the three Anne books.
YES! I found out that my local library has it.
But they're all on loan... 
YES! I found out that my local library has it.
But they're all on loan... _________________
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Re: Muriel Barbery - The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Grace on Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:09 pm
I just added Barbéry' first novel to my read books. It wasn't as good as "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" - but still a decent read, with the same characters (though in a different arrangement) and setting as the other one.
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If history is doomed to repeat itself, bring on the beheadings.
Grace- Admin
- Number of posts: 2155
Age: 24
Location: Germany
Dictionary Definition: Laura: Also known as "Solveig", her internet pseudonym, this female specimen of Homo Sapiens founded the Literary Cabinet world. One can spot "Laura," by the fun she has grading papers, taking cigarette breaks, and drinking coffee. Like another species, Homo Sapiens Zarasahanous, she enjoys picking at the extreme Twilight fans. This specimen is particularly fond of procrastinating, as most of the other species of the Literary Cabinet Universe are.
Registration date: 2008-12-02 -
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