L'elegance Du Herisson (French Edition) [Paperback]

Muriel Barbery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2009

Je m'appelle Renée, j'ai cinquante-quatre ans et je suis la concierge du 7 rue de Grenelle, un immeuble bourgeois. Je suis veuve, petite, laide, grassouillette, j'ai des oignons aux pieds et, à en croire certains matins auto-incommodants, une haleine de mammouth. Mais surtout, je suis si conforme à l'image que l'on se fait des concierges qu'il ne viendrait à l'idée de personne que je suis plus lettrée que tous ces riches suffisants. Je m'appelle Paloma, j'ai douze ans, j'habite au 7 rue de Grenelle dans un appartement de riches. Mais depuis très longtemps, je sais que la destination finale, c'est le bocal à poissons, la vacuité et l'ineptie de l'existence adulte. Comment est-ce que je le sais? Il se trouve que je suis très intelligente. Exceptionnellement intelligente, même. C'est pour ça que j'ai pris ma décision : à la fin de cette année scolaire, le jour de mes treize ans, je me suiciderai.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 413 pages
• Publisher: Gallimard (June 25, 2009)
• Language: French
• ISBN-10: 2070391655
• ISBN-13: 978-2070391653
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Madame la concierge, May 28, 2010

By 

M. Ferrer "Mónica Ferrer" (SPAIN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: L'elegance Du Herisson (French Edition) (Paperback)

To understand why Muriel Barbery has chosen a concierge to be the heroine of her novel I think it is important to understand what concierges have meant in France since 1789. Because it was from the days of the glorious revolution and the anguish of the days of Le Terreur when concierges where an important part of the new society of citizens who beheaded a king. They where agents of the governemnt when ID's did not exist so in a way there is still a certain mistery around them, and even today a certain respect about their hidden authority. In the country where René created the je suis donc je pense a concierge was the deus ex machina who said il habite ici donc il est.
Our shy concierge Renée (curiosly she shares the same name that our philosopher) hidden in her small apartment is not an agent in disguise, but she is an erudite in disguise. Considered just a part of the building by the burgoise tenants she scapes, and rejoices in her books by Tolstoy, the films by Ozu and having tea with her friend Manuela.
Another brilliant mind shares the building with her: Paloma Josse, The product of a very French, very burgoise, very rive gauche family. Like Renée, Paloma considers the world outside threatening and in a way dangerous.
these two forces of the mind tell their stories like a beautifully tapestry made with their impressions of the lives the others live, seeing depth in ordinary matters but hiding all the time.
Our two heroines little and coveted world suddenly is going to be swept away by a tsunami: monsieur Ozu. Who like the real ones simply move the ground under their feet and force them to face the world. With Renée, offering her glimpses of being not a concierge only but a woman too. And for Paloma to walk away from her little shelter to see that life is worth living.
I personally have been moved by the wonderfully writte novel by Muriel Barbery. The way the words sometimes are melting like a great chocolat, slowly and thick. And sometimes like an old lace where every little thread has a clear purpose. It is one of the things I like most in French writers, their craftmanship with their language. She reminds me of Andre Maurois for her carefully choice in the structures, and Balzac for the way she deals with her characters, a little of Flaubert making beautiful what is ordinary. So I must recommend this book. A beautiful and compelling one.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great companion to the English translation, September 23, 2009

By 

Linda Z. Debard - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: L'Elegance du Herisson (French Edition) (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed the English translation "Elegance of the Hedgehog" and wanted to get a copy of the original. Glad I began with the English version as the ethereal prose might have stymied my comprehension in the French edition had I read it first. Seller sent book immediately, so all in all, a seamless transaction. Thanks so much.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book, August 2, 2010

By 

Maria Antonia Luna Canut - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: L'elegance Du Herisson (French Edition) (Paperback)

I think this is one of the best books I ever read. Just finishing, I started again to read it now with a pencil to underline a lot of important things the author says.
I will read again for sure in some other time