The Elegance of a Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery centers around two main characters living in a luxurious Parisian apartment building: Renée, the concierge, and Paloma, a precocious twelve-year-old resident. Synopsis: Renée Michel: Appears to be an uncultivated concierge, but secretly possesses a deep love for culture and philosophy, maintaining a hidden intellectual life within her lodge. Paloma Josse: A highly intelligent but disillusioned twelve-year-old, planning to end her life on her thirteenth birthday due to her perception of the futility of her privileged existence. Plot catalyst: The arrival of a new, insightful tenant disrupts their carefully constructed lives and brings them together, leading to unexpected connections and revelations.