The Elegance of the Hedgehog

In number 7, rue de Grenelle, a bourgeois building in Paris, nothing is what it seems. Two of its inhabitants hide a secret. Renée, the concierge, has long been pretending to be an ordinary woman. Paloma is twelve years old and hides an extraordinary intelligence. Both lead solitary lives, striving to survive and overcome despair. The arrival of a mysterious man in the building will lead to the encounter of these two kindred spirits. Together, Renée and Paloma will discover the beauty of small things. They will invoke the magic of ephemeral pleasures and invent a better world. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a small treasure that reveals how to achieve happiness through friendship, love, and art. As we turn the pages with a smile, the voices of Renée and Paloma weave, with a melodious language, a captivating hymn to life. Muriel Barbery has become the literary revelation in France. Her tenderness and originality have earned her the Booksellers' Prize, critical acclaim, and the affection of the public, which has placed her on the bestseller lists for a year. "A modern, refreshing and intelligent tale," Le Figaro; "The timeless nostalgia of Marcel Proust and the freshness of Philippe Delerm...Funny, intelligent...airy as a haiku," L'Express; "To say that Muriel Barbery is talented is an understatement...She has devastating humor," Le Nouvel Observateur.

In number 7, rue de Grenelle, a bourgeois building in Paris, nothing is what it seems. Two of its inhabitants hide a secret. Renée, the concierge, has long been pretending to be an ordinary woman. Paloma is twelve years old and hides an extraordinary intelligence. Both lead solitary lives, striving to survive and overcome despair. The arrival of a mysterious man in the building will lead to the encounter of these two kindred spirits. Together, Renée and Paloma will discover the beauty of small things. They will invoke the magic of ephemeral pleasures and invent a better world. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a small treasure that reveals how to achieve happiness through friendship, love, and art. As we turn the pages with a smile, the voices of Renée and Paloma weave, with a melodious language, a captivating hymn to life. Muriel Barbery has become the literary revelation in France. Her tenderness and originality have earned her the Booksellers' Prize, critical acclaim, and the affection of the public, which has placed her on the bestseller lists for a year. "A modern, refreshing and intelligent tale," Le Figaro; "The timeless nostalgia of Marcel Proust and the freshness of Philippe Delerm...Funny, intelligent...airy as a haiku," L'Express; "To say that Muriel Barbery is talented is an understatement...She has devastating humor," Le Nouvel Observateur.