Elegance of the Hedgehog is a wonderful story told by two alternating narrators that are both residents in an small exclusive apartment building in Paris. At once you can see that these two people as different as can be and at the same time you see that their views of the world and the people around them are very similar.

Renée is a fifty-four year old widowed concierge who describes herself as ugly, plump, and unfriendly. She lets people just see her this way, its a barrier, a protective field to hide the fact that she is an extremely cultured autodidact. She has a insatiable appetite for art, philosophy, literature, film, and music.

Paloma is a twelve year old girl who resides in the same building with her wealthy family, an obnoxious older sister and two self absorbed parents. Like Renee she lives her life day to day hiding her intelligence, insight, and disillusionment.

This is a beautiful story full of twists and turns of humor, tragedy, philosophy, and irony. It draws you in and makes you think; it inspires, and entertains you. The ending completely shocked me, but upon reflection it was completely right for the whole story. At times I forced myself to put the book down because I wanted it to last, I did not want to finish this book because it was so good. ~Mara