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The Elegance of the Hedgehog
- Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat, Cassandra Morris
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
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The Elegance of the Hedgehog
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Editor reviews
The Elegance of the Hedgehog tells the story of a life spent in hiding. Madame Michel is the concierge of a luxurious Parisian apartment building, tending to the plants, signing for packages, and polishing the brass, retreating when she can to her rooms on the first floor. She keeps a television blaring where the tenants can hear it; she zealously polices her speech and gestures to keep from giving herself away. What is the secret she hides? Madame Michel is an intellectual. She knows Kant, but she's separated by class from other people who do, so she discusses his work with herself while we listen in. Her musings are voiced by Barbara Rosenblat, who lends an air of theatrical irony an auditory raised eyebrow to her descriptions of class blind spots and philosophical rabbit holes.
The other pole of the story is Paloma Josse, a 12-year-old tenant in the building, voiced by Cassandra Morris with an appropriate measure of sarcasm and outrage. Paloma is a wildly precocious girl raised in privilege who has all the gifts of intellect and all the faults of a pre-adolescent. She's grandiose she favors us with excerpts from a journal titled "Profound Thoughts". She's happy to throw stones at glass houses, and even plans to burn hers down, with the aim of teaching her family a pithy lesson about deprivation. She describes the currently deprived in terms that, while well-intentioned, condescend and distort. She is, in other words, a burgeoning intellect in serious need of the influence of an adult she can respect. An adult, perhaps, like the 54-year-old concierge on the first floor. But it takes more than a ride in an elevator to truly meet a woman who has spent her life in hiding. The novel takes two world views, both meticulously constructed from sound philosophical materials, and happily pulls them apart. Rosalie Knecht
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"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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What listeners say about The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CDG
- 25-02-22
Eloquent, Intelligent and Beautiful
A book of eloquence and a masterclass in grammar, unfolds its tale through the thoughts of a Parisian concierge, Renee Michel, who, in order to keep her job, must hide her supreme intelligence and knowledge of art, classical music, books, philosophy and love of all things Japanese.
Coupled with the interaction of the journal entries of a rather precocious 12 year old child, Paloma (whose parents are residents) whose supreme intellect is admired by Renee, the book of observation and deep thoughts, magnificently unfolds.
It is rich in characters, strong, moving, deeply sad and a wonderful example of the class distinction and hypocrisy that rules the bourgeois and their to see beyond their misplaced ideals.
The narrations are sublime.
In all a beautiful read and worthy of more than 5 stars
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anonyme
- 15-03-10
Cannot have enough of it!
There are books we enjoy, but also ones that we learn from and re-discover time after time.
I have this book in print, bought the film and also in audio format. Never got bored of it and always want to read some parts over and over again.
Simply great!!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss
- 19-07-16
Such a pity you couldn't have found French narrators
The story is excellent and I really enjoyed it, insightful with out being dogmatic. The narration was not bad but the actors don't speak French . It was a little incongruous to listen to critique of the different character's accents in American. Bilingual actors who would really improve this story.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janine Lewis
- 12-07-19
Fabulous!
A wonderful piece of work which was enchanting, amusing & touching. I loved it and would highly recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JB
- 27-03-19
Memorable indeed
An experience to savour. So many memorable moments, I will not forget this book. Challenging and beautiful.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tay Lor
- 10-09-16
A great book, well worth it
Just a great book from start to finish with interesting characters and storyline, kept me interested all the way through. I would suggest the others by Barbery too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- H S'pie
- 18-10-19
So good you have to listen three times ***
Beautifully brilliant book. Listen once for a taste, twice to digest and three times for the full flavour. I shall miss Madam Michel in my ears joining me on my dog walks. Enjoy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- @eleniaudibles
- 02-09-18
A Masterpiece!
Reading literature in translation is so rewarding, because so often we don't read outside our own language. So often books in other languages are especially sweet and unique! This novel is beautiful, and bittersweet and a wonderful depiction of philosophy, love, tragedy and life. Both Barbery and the narrators perfectly capture the different mindsets of the characters and the ending is so unexpected! This is a short but very poetic novel, which everyone should read!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rubylovestoread
- 23-01-21
What a joy to listen to
This book is filled with wonderful insight, deep wisdom and moments of hilarity. The narration was excellent and perfectly presented the characters. I loved this book, it was a real pleasure.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- c’est moi
- 09-02-24
Prétentieuse moi.??
Si Prof Barbery … prétentieuse.!
You should have had Stephen Fry reading instead of a Jewish Newyorker and a whining child.!
I read it in french and listened in English as I like to see a professional translation as well.
The French have a passion for philosophy and the « Grandes Écoles Supérieures. » so went crazy over this. My wife loved the snobbery of the « Haute Bourgeois. » and there were some really hilarious moments ( the two dogs and the Requiem in the toilet. ) so overall it’s a good read and worth it if only to laugh at the grenouilles .!
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