The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

 May 13, 2005

The Elegance of the Hedgehog Book Review

by Janis at Simple Raw and Natural

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, translated from the French by Alison Anderson

This book caught me off guard in a good way.  Muriel Barbery, the author, is a French author and a former professor of philosophy.  She has lived in both France and Japan, and her love for both cultures adds subtle richness to the book.

It starts off quietly - philosophical, full of big ideas and small, hidden lives within a Parisian apartment building. But by the end, it reaches something much deeper.  Without giving anything away, I'll just say that the final chapters stayed with me long after I finished the book.

Barbery is gifted in her ability to weave together ideas about beauty, purpose, class and meaning - but what really struck me was this idea she hints at - the "aristocracy of the heart".  Not people who are born into status and wealth, but people who choose to live with integrity, who see the world with tenderness and curiosity, who make space for beauty even when it isn't practical.

One of the things I appreciated most was the influence of Japanese culture on the story - particularly the way both Renee, the concierge, and Paloma, the young girl from an aristocratic family, are drawn to simplicity, stillness, and beauty.  Their connection with Kakuro Ozu, a refined and kindhearted Japanese tenant, brings a shift in their inner lives and underscores the novel's central theme:  that the most profound beauty is often hidden behind quiet doors.

"I have finally concluded, maybe that's what life is about: there's a lot of despair, but also the odd moment of beauty, where time is no longer the same." - from The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The ending reminded me that some of the most important things in life are quiet, easily missed, and deeply human.  It left me with a mixture of hope and sorrow - and a call to be more open and to keep looking for moments of connection and wonder, even....especially in the ordinary.

This isn't a book for rushing through.  It's one to sit with.

Still curious. Still growing. Still grateful.

.Janis