“So what does this mean – I’m supposed to become a doctor? Or a writer? It’s sort of the same thing, isn’t it?”
For all the books you start but never finish, if there is one book you should endeavor to reach the end of, it is Muriel Barbery’s The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
I say this because through this unlikely novel, Barbery provides a remedy. A remedy for what? You’ll understand when you finish it and if you don’t, you are one of the lucky ‘Colombe Josses’ of the world and probably won’t even finish the book.
Having said this, I believe that this book has the power to touch those living like Colombe Josse and the other privileged souls of the novel and nudge them towards who they really are. It kind of scrapes away the ugly bits we pick up from modern life and puts you back in touch with your soul. Of course, I say remedy because modern life is a very strong maladie and I’m sure all the powers of the book will have worn off by this evening.
So how does Barbery do this? Well you don’t see it coming that is for sure.
A widowed, clandestine concierge with a love of Dutch painting and Russian literature, whose path crosses with an enlightened yet suicidal 12 year old girl. How does one construct a life affirming novel from this?
Through moments of delicate imagery, beautiful musings, thought provoking questions, informative, philosophical tangents and a synthesis that makes you question everything you just read.
You may feel at times that the book is going nowhere but at these moments I would urge you to consider instead where the book is perhaps taking you. Note also the lovely little French turns of phrase that are partly the result of having been translated from French and partly because there is no English equivalent.
I would hasten to add however that you should not be scared off by the intellectual strength of this novel, it is totally accessible and enjoyable to everyone.
I always feel vulgar giving stars to books -as if I could have done better- but (out of my fear of the excess in offering 5 stars to anything) I would give The Elegance of the Hedgehog a nice 4.5.
Here’s a little heartwarming snippet:
“‘They didn’t recognise me,’ I say.
I come to a halt in the middle of the pavement, completely flabbergasted.
‘They didn’t recognise me,’ I repeat.
He stops in turn, my hand still on his arm.
‘It is because they have never seen you,’ he says. ‘I would recognise you anywhere.'”