Renee is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building, home to members of the great and the good. Over the years she has maintained her carefully constructed persona as someone reliable but totally uncultivated, in keeping, she feels, with society's expectations of what a concierge should be. But beneath this facade lies the real Renee: passionate about culture and the arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives. Down in her lodge, apart ...
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Renee is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building, home to members of the great and the good. Over the years she has maintained her carefully constructed persona as someone reliable but totally uncultivated, in keeping, she feels, with society's expectations of what a concierge should be. But beneath this facade lies the real Renee: passionate about culture and the arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives. Down in her lodge, apart from weekly visits by her one friend Manuela, Renee lives resigned to her lonely lot with only her cat for company. Meanwhile, several floors up, twelve-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her, and decides to end her life on her thirteenth birthday. But unknown to them both, the sudden death of one of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives forever. By turn moving and hilarious, this unusual novel became the top-selling book in France in 2007 with sales of over 900,000 copies to-date.
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Add this copy of The Elegance of the Hedgehog to cart. $18.62, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2008 by Gallic Books.
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Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of The Elegance of the Hedgehog to cart. $54.86, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Gallic Books.
Add this copy of The Elegance of the Hedgehog to cart. $111.67, new condition, Sold by Just one more Chapter, ships from Miramar, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Gallic Books.
Add this copy of The Elegance of the Hedgehog to cart. $162.90, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Gallic Books.
I loved this book. The first half was hard reading, but I persevered. The last half of the book flew by with great charm. It finished with a stunning shock.
xenodad
Apr 11, 2013
Thought-provoking and a great read
This book has two narrators who are very different yet have much in common as their lives come together and intertwine. Philosophy becomes reality, as both are unwilling to live without the masks they have chosen. Unmasking takes place in unexpected ways. A great read, and a great book for discussion.
bookdiva
Oct 20, 2011
through the looking glass
The simply beautiful story people made me feel like I was walking through the Looking Glass and seeing some corners of myself, and viewing beautiful people that I will always remember. Witty, touching, warm and loving. I will read it again. . . and again.
culnanfort
Jul 10, 2010
Title is slightly deceiving
beautifully written story of two completely different yet oh so alike individuals!
bibliophile06
May 20, 2010
Elegantly written!
This very beautifully written book is full of gems of wisdom and insight. I found myself underlining whole passages every few pages. It's a bit philosophical and the vocabulary is occasionally above the average reader's level, but it's well worth the effort to read to the end. The main characters change and grow to discover that life does have meaning and purpose.
