The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Hi Delicious-

So far this week I've blogged about running, movies and TV so it's about time for a post about my first true love, READING.  I've been so involved in the hundreds of Jean Plaidy books on the British royalty that I often go months without reading anything outside of it.  So I decided to sign up with a book club and get some outside help at choosing a book.  The Northern KY's December pick is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  Apparently a bestseller in France for years and recently translated and published in English, this is a quirky, heartwrenching tale.  At first the syntax was a little hard to get used to (especially since I've been reading a very English author for so long) but once I did, I truly enjoyed the lyrical quality of the translation. This is not a generic novel that follows any formula whether in character nor plot development. 

Told by two quirky characters, the book ambles along in a way that doesn't seem to be moving the plot forward but simply offers a glimpse into their seemingly humdrum lives.  As often happens when you read a translation, there's a sing-song quality to the construction of the sentences.  But this is also due to the fact that both narrators are somewhat outside of (above?) the lives they lead and exist in an almost-fantasy world while aptly describing the realities of the worlds they observe. In fact, contradiction and incongruity seem to be a running theme, hence, the elegance of the hedgehog. 

I loved this book for making me look up more words than I have in probably any previous book (conatus, deontology, kolkholz, antipodes to name a few).  I loved it for quoting everything from Proust to Eminem and for referencing everything from Blade Runner to Mahler.  I loved the stark cynicism of its 15 year old who states, "People aim for the stars and they end up like goldfish in a bowl.  I wonder if it wouldn't be simpler just to teach children right from the start that life is absurd" and who is probably the most hopeful of everyone. I love the concierge's play of words that tell you so much about herself and the other characters, "This fellow may be a nuisance but his language is delectable."  

But mostly I loved it for delving me into a world I didn't know I was involved in until the story takes an unexpected turn and I am caught completely off guard and like Renee, I I have experienced much more than I realized.

I can't wait to go to my first book club meeting on Tuesday and hear what the other readers have to say about it and where this book took them!

P.S. So I met with the lovely ladies of the NKY Book Club and they were not as enthusiastic about this book as I was. I truly think that reading should never be a chore and a lot of them felt this book was.  I didn't really feel that way...the first couple of pages took a little getting used to but then I was immersed.  So while I wholeheartedly recommend it, four other very literate ladies had a hard time getting into it.  On the flip side, it was nice to meet with other strong, interesting women and hear their stories and views whether it was on a book or anything else.  I look forward to the next one!