It is so great to read a book the is so well written that I occasionally had to refer to a dictionary! Great story of discovering who you are -- that you do not have to hid your true self to succeed among all classes of people. ( )

I really struggled to get into this book; if I were following Nancy Pearl’s rule of fifty, I would have marked it DNF. But, I persevered, and after about 70 pages I was hooked.

The novel is written from the points of view of both Renée and Paloma. Renée relates to the reader in the first person present tense; we are with her as events are unfolding and receive a near-constant stream of her thoughts and reactions to those around her. This may be one of the reasons I initially had a hard time connecting with the book. As much as this narrator is being judged by those in the apartment building, she, too, is judging them.

The second narrator, twelve-year-old Paloma, also evaluates those around her. Her portions use a different typeface and are told in the past tense, making it easy for the reader to follow as Barbery switches between narrators. Paloma explains, in her journal, why she doesn’t plan to be around past her thirteenth birthday (p 24):

"" … there’s no way I’m going to end up in the goldfish bowl. I’ve thought this through quite carefully. Even for someone like me who is super smart and gifted in her studies and different from everyone else, in fact superior to the vast majority – even for me life is already all plotted out and so dismal you could cry: no one seems to have thought of the fact that if life is absurd, being a brilliant success has no greater value than being a failure. It’s just more comfortable. And even then: I think lucidity gives your success a bitter taste, whereas mediocrity still leaves hope for something.""

When the book finally sunk its claws into me (almost 20% through it!), it was Renée’s voice that I most appreciated. My unscientific sampling indicates that she narrated about 2/3 of the novel. While Paloma was searching, almost defiantly for a reason to live, Rene was resigned to her lot in life and content enough with the charade she had designed in order to be true to herself outside the role of concierge. We read what happens when Renée’s charade has been unmasked, a chink in her armor revealed; her reactions are genuine and intense.

In the end, I am so glad I stuck with The Elegance of the Hedgehog. In fact, this is likely a book that I’ll re-read at some point; I’m sure there are nuggets of gold in those first 70 pages, too … now that I know what Renée and Paloma are capable of, I’d like to go back and mine them. If you pick it up, do know that you may find it slow going at first.

full review at http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/20...
She is Too Fond of Books ( )

I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. I borrowed it from the library, but I'm going to go and buy myself a copy the next chance I get. Renee, the autodidact (which means she educated herself without a teacher) who hides behind her concierge persona is a gem. I love her tangents and the wild rides through her brain that we chanced a glimpse of. I also loved Paloma, who discovered the meaning of "never." Kakuro is a bit of a mystery, but provides a special role by enlightening each narrator about themselves and their motives. A treasure to read. ( )

I received this from Early Reviewers as an audiobook. This is the first time I have listened to a book instead of reading one and I am not sure I am a fan. I don't know for some reason I found it was very easy to get distracted. Once I was able to get used to the format I really started getting into the story.

I agree with other reviewers the first fifty pages or so were hard to get through but then you find yourself loving the unique characters of Mme. Michel and Paloma and was grateful they found a kindred spirit in Mr. Ozu. I would recommend this highly and I plan on getting a copy of the book to actually read it and not just listen to someone else telling the story. ( )

This is a simply ELEGANT book. Mme Michel has long concealed her intelligence and learning from the residents of the building for which she is the concierge. Paloma Josse, the extraordinarily intelligent daughter of a resident family is deeply depressed in a slightly dramatic 12-year-old way and not so skilled at finding the solitude she needs to think Profound Thoughts. The arrival of Kakuro Ozu, a wealthy and sophisticated Japanese gentleman, draws Mme Michel and Paloma both out and together, offering both a heretofore unimagined sense of freedom. His friendship with Mme Michel brings her love, luxury and self-forgiveness. Remaining true to herself, Mme Michel one morning rushes to the aid of a homeless man and is struck by a passing van. Her death is heartbreaking for both Paloma and Mr. Ozu but their shared friendship carries them forward. ( )