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The Elegance of the Hedgehog

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The Elegance of the Hedgehog

By: Muriel Barbery
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat, Cassandra Morris
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About this listen

 An enchanting New York Times and international best seller and award-winner about life, art, literature, philosophy, culture, class, privilege, and power, seen through the eyes of a 54-year-old French concierge and a precocious but troubled 12-year-old girl.

Renee Michel is the 54-year-old concierge of a luxury Paris apartment building. Her exterior (short, ugly,and plump) and demeanor (poor, discreet, and insignificant) belie her keen, questing mind and profound erudition. Paloma Josse is a 12-year-old genius who behaves as everyone expects her to behave: a mediocre pre-teen high on adolescent subculture, a good but not outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter. She plans to kill herself on the 16th of June, her 13th birthday.

Both Renee and Paloma hide their true talents and finest qualities from the bourgeois families around them, until a wealthy Japanese gentleman named Ozu moves into building. Only he sees through them, perceiving the secret that haunts Renee, winning Paloma's trust, and helping the two discover their kindred souls. Moving, funny, tender, and triumphant, Barbery's novel exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us.

©2006 Editions Gallimard, Paris (P)2009 Highbridge Company Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Tear-jerking Feel-Good

Critic reviews

"Gently satirical, exceptionally winning and inevitably bittersweet." ( The Washington Post )
"An exquisite book in the form of a philosophical fable that has enchanted hundreds of thousands of readers." (Italian Elle)
"Kinetic minds and engaging voices." ( New York Times Book Review)
"By turns very funny and heartbreaking". ( Publishers Weekly)
"Life-affirming." ( Time)
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Wonderfully narrated, The Elegance of the Hedgehog took my breath away. Funny, charming, sad & poignant all at once. The story is simple but profound and the characters are delectable.

Exquisite

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such a lovely story and the narrator's were very engaging. made me laugh and cry. wonderful.

made me laugh and cry. wonderful story

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A very deep, insightful, well written book. Beautiful characters and relationships all explored through philosophical exploration of art, literature, music & culture. This book will stay with me for a long time. Indulge yourself and enjoy.

Well written and deeply thought provoking

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A wonderful piece of work which was enchanting, amusing & touching. I loved it and would highly recommend it.

Fabulous!

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An experience to savour. So many memorable moments, I will not forget this book. Challenging and beautiful.

Memorable indeed

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