The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Renee is 45 years old and she is working as a concierge in a house where just rich families are living. She plays her role according to the expectations of society, even if she loves literature and art films - which is rather unusual for a concierge. Paloma is the 12-year old daughter of one of the families in this house, and she is very intelligent - widely above the average of girls of her age. She wants to commit suicide on her 13th birthday - as from her point view her life is determined, an she definitely doesn't want to end up like her mother or her older sister. The book tells the story of these two charcaters in a likeable and very appealing way, questioning the meaning of life as well as exploring the beauty of small things. Recommended.

author: muriel barbery
publisher: dtv (german), central books (english)
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