freshlybrewedbookreviews:

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

In writing this book review, I feel like a four-year-old being asked to write War and Peace, or some other great classic. There is no way I can capture the beauty, poetry, and, indeed, elegance of Barbery’s book. Using my words to describe this book feels almost like a travesty; to use my words to describe The Elegance of the Hedgehog, an insult.

At first, this book seemed too pretentious and too high-brow for my liking, but that’s because I hadn’t scratched the surface, and looked beyond (as Paloma says we do so often with people). After that initial hesitation, I fell headfirst in love with this book. The language is gorgeous; the emotions real and raw. I have not read a book that has moved me to both wonder and despair.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog examines what it is to be human. The characters are complex, and their observations are heartbreaking. I could go on, but the book speaks for itself, so I urge you to read it if you are looking for a contemplative and beautiful read.

1. lustyflower liked this
2. kittasaurusrex reblogged this from theposhpanda and added:

   IS IT… …about hedgehogs?

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   Then it shall be my next read.

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6. ruminationtree reblogged this from booklover and added:

   Truly fantastic book.

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    Everyone should read this. It’ s the best book I’ve ever read. Still my favorite, even though Laura suggested it to me.

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    This book is kindof horrifying. It’s meant to be a kind of satire of class consciousness, but it lacks even the most...

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