Muriel Barbery

Bookends: Adult Fiction Discussion Group.
Due to a scheduling conflict, this meeting will be the 4th Tuesday of the month. Adults of all ages read and discuss fiction titles. This month's title: Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Summary: An enchanting "New York Times" and international bestseller and award-winner about life, art, literature, philosophy, culture, class, privilege, and power, seen through the eyes of a 54-year old French concierge and a precocious but troubled 12-year-old girl. 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 sixteenth of June, her thirteenth 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." (DoctorFate)… (more)

Please join as we discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Set in an elegant apartment building in the center of Paris, the novel tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Renée, the cantankerous but secretly cultured building concierge and Paloma, a troubled thirteen year old who lives in the building.

Copies of the book are available at the branch. Phone: (312) 747-2805
Phone: 312-747-2805 (MDGentleReader)… (more)

Gen-Y Book Club
A program for adults
Wednesday January 9, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm, Free. Registration required.

This is a book club for readers between the ages of 19 and 35. Join the Popular Reading Library for stimulating book discussion and fun.

Jan 9 - The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Registration begins Saturday December 8, 2012. Limited to 30.
For more information please contact VPL - Popular Reading Library at 604-331-3691 (starfishian)… (more)

Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

One of the most popular independent bookstore picks of the past year, this quirky and intelligent novel is a fabulous read. Our book club is open to all. We've chosen an eclectic, ambitious list of books for the coming year: join us for every meeting, or deal yourself in as the spirit moves you. ...All of these titles are in paperback, or should be by the time we'll read them, and they will all be discounted 25% from the publisher's price for the following year, whether you join us for meetings or not. All evening meetings are on the second Monday of the month, and begin at 7:00, to give you time to have dinner and relax a bit first. (bookconscious)… (more)