Reviews

L'eleganza del riccio by Muriel Barbery, Emanuelle Caillat, Cinzia Poli

kimschebler's review against another edition

5.0

It took me some time to become invested in this book because its characters were heavier with cynicism than I generally prefer, but I loved watching them grow and open their hearts. This book stayed with me longer than most.

anntrautmannm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I tried to read this at least three times previously, but never got interested enough to finish.  I am so very glad that I did this time.  What a lovely book. An inspiration. There were so many themes, but what meant the most to me was the importance of human connection. The main character lives most of her life without it--without being seen/heard as Mr. Kakuro Ozo so insightfully puts it. The secondary main character, Paloma, lives similarly.  The two share intelligence, wit, and an appreciation of art--each appreciating alone; individually.   I don't want to spoil the ending, so will add only that the writing style (like essays) is noteworthy, and the references to art, music, and literature are so enjoyable--at least those with which I was familiar.  Having recently re-read Anna Karenina was perfect!  

elizabethfoster2603's review against another edition

this book is a bit pretentious, it might be the translation. after talking about it with my bookclub it seems like the kind of book you need to skim over, also the character is meant to be confusing because that's how society sees the two characters. 

bywell's review against another edition

3.0

Audio version disappointing. Reviews of the book called it "so French" and yet the concierge in the audio version brought the story from Paris to Brooklyn. Readers with french accents would have vastly improved the experience. 4 stars for the book, 2 stars for the recorded version.

lyraparledor's review against another edition

Overrated.

jhyde154's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

megankateabraham's review against another edition

3.0

I really like the story, but the language is hard for me to get around. Sometimes it feels like the author is just trying to cram as much imagery into a sentence as possible, all while using the biggest words she can find in the dictionary. I feel like an idiot reading this book. Maybe that's the point?

tiffany86's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

logolepsy_e's review against another edition

4.0

Forse essere vivi è proprio questo: andare alla ricerca degli istanti che muoiono.
Che cosa può nascere dall'incontro tra una scialba portinaia, una dodicenne superdotata ed un ricco signore giapponese?
Quello che nasce è questo splendido romanzo. Una storia incredibilmente delicata sui pregiudizi, gli stereotipi e l'apparenza.
Lo stereotipo della portinaia, nella quale la società non vede nient'altro se non una vecchia, trasandata e normalissima portinaia, che in realtà è una persona straordinariamente colta, intelligente e assolutamente sensibile al Bello e all'Arte in ogni sua forma.
I pregiudizi di una società perbenista e ipocrita, che spingono le persone a non andare mai oltre la sembianza, a non fermarsi mai un attimo per vedere veramente chi si ha davanti, e non solo guardarlo.
Le apparenze dietro le quali le due protagoniste, due anime solitarie ma affini tra loro, si nascondono e creano il loro rifugio segreto, formando un mondo a parte di cui nessuno è a conoscenza.
Questo romanzo si sviluppa lentamente, perchè, prima che le situazioni si sviluppino realmente, l'autrice si impegna a presentarci alla perfezione il mondo delle due protagoniste e a farci immergere in esso, cosa che riesce perfettamente e senza mai annoiare.
Di alcuni personaggi ci si innamora facilmente (io sono rimasta piuttosto affascinata da Lev), gli altri (gli abitanti del palazzo), molto ben caricaturizzati, sono per forza detestabili.
Nel racconto sono presenti moltissimi riferimenti e citazioni letterari, filosofici, cinematografici e artistici, e sono presenti tante riflessioni interessanti e profonde, ma la narrazione non risulta mai pesante o difficile e il linguaggio rimane sempre semplice e scorrevole.
In fondo questo romanzo è un'unica, grande perla di saggezza di incredibile profondità e dolcezza.

novellenovels's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0