This book is written by a French professor of philosophy and from the ideas to the characters to the ending, it is all very French. Barbery's characters are constantly contemplating the meaning of art, literature, and life while simultaneously exuding a sense of self-pity as the result of (what they imply to be) a long-suffering life. The novel is a double-narrative: a concierge who is a closet autodidact and a pessimistic 12-year-old girl who is determined to commit suicide on her 13th birthday. Eventually their lives intertwine until they realize they are kindred spirits and together, begin to understand life in a new way.
Barbury manages to write about the meaning of life in a way that is subtle yet eye-opening. For me, the book highlights how things can change from bad to good without anything changing much at all and stresses the redemptive potential of true friendships.
If you are looking for a book that might change and challenge the way you look at things, I ask you to let this be it.
I have picked this book up so many times. Next time I'll restrain myself from putting it down.
ReplyDeleteNo don't put it down! I definitely recommend it. Let me know what you think!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about this book and seen it around but not read it yet. I will put it on my TBR - thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Barbery was a French professor of Philosophy. Glad you loved the book too!
ReplyDeleteMrs. B - I didn't either until I googled her after finishing the book. But doesn't it make so much sense? Both Renee and Paloma are constantly pondering philosophical issues.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful succinct review. I really loved this book and reviewed it earlier this year. It seemed to take me a lot more words to say what you have said so precisely here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel :) That's a really nice thing to hear.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this book I wanted to put it down so many times for the first 150 pages. Blah, blah, blah I kept thinking. I get it already, move on. Then the second half just grabbed me and made me happy that I'd stuck it out.
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