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Chrissie's Reviews > L'Élégance du hérisson
L'Élégance du hérisson
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by
Chrissie's review
bookshelves: france, kirkus, fiction, humor, philo-psychol, favorites
Sep 05, 2008
bookshelves: france, kirkus, fiction, humor, philo-psychol, favorites
AFTER READING THE BOOK:
I just finished the book and I suppose it is better to let it sink in before I do a review, but since I do not think the following statements will be altered by further thought, I will state them now. First of all I rhink many who read this book will say OMG, it's a fairy tale! That couldn't happen. Well I don't agree. I am not going to give anything away, so don't worry. What happens, could happen, although I agree perhaps not that often. One has to believe and one has to have a few camelias. I found the book, ie its principal characters, very annoying at first, then they soften and the book gets funnier and funnier and then it gets serious. You need humor in life and you need it in books too. Real humor that sprinkles in between the shit that life throws at you, me and everyone. This book confronts the reader with important philosophical ideas. This book is about art. It is about beauty, and more specifically, what is the point of beauty? Why do we need beauty? Why do we need the beauty that art, music, litterature and nature offer us? This book is about our pets, about our daily routines. This book eggs us on to consider many, many philosophical ideas. Why do people give up? Why do we think life is absurd? Why do people play social games with each other? Why do we hide from each other? And do any of us clearly see what is happening around us?
Now, if you consider the above questions philosphical garbage, well then skip the book. Although you will in so doing loose an opportunity to laugh at ourselves and our world. Don't forget, the book is funny. Some may say I am way too naive. That's fine. Say that, but I will stand for my views.
Concerning the questions I had before I read the book - I don't think the disparate views on this book have anything to do with the translation or cultural differences. I think it is simply that people are different. We value different things. We are interested in different issues. It's that simple.
BEFORE READING THE BOOK:
I really am curious about this book. The reviews are so different, thumbs up and thumbs down. Is it that there is a cultural difference between Europe and the States, or is it the translation? Who knows! The English translation is entitled The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Kirkus has already reviewed it, and they liked it. I will be reading it in French because no book is as good in translation as in its original. I am SO happy I have found a book here on GoodReads in French, maybe now I will get in contact with more French readers and current French litterature. Oh, and I really was surprised about some comment that this book was no "Amelie Poulain"! Who would ever think that one country will only produce one type of book.......... I have to remember to add to my list some books by Eric-Emanuel Schmitt, a French/Belgian author.
I just finished the book and I suppose it is better to let it sink in before I do a review, but since I do not think the following statements will be altered by further thought, I will state them now. First of all I rhink many who read this book will say OMG, it's a fairy tale! That couldn't happen. Well I don't agree. I am not going to give anything away, so don't worry. What happens, could happen, although I agree perhaps not that often. One has to believe and one has to have a few camelias. I found the book, ie its principal characters, very annoying at first, then they soften and the book gets funnier and funnier and then it gets serious. You need humor in life and you need it in books too. Real humor that sprinkles in between the shit that life throws at you, me and everyone. This book confronts the reader with important philosophical ideas. This book is about art. It is about beauty, and more specifically, what is the point of beauty? Why do we need beauty? Why do we need the beauty that art, music, litterature and nature offer us? This book is about our pets, about our daily routines. This book eggs us on to consider many, many philosophical ideas. Why do people give up? Why do we think life is absurd? Why do people play social games with each other? Why do we hide from each other? And do any of us clearly see what is happening around us?
Now, if you consider the above questions philosphical garbage, well then skip the book. Although you will in so doing loose an opportunity to laugh at ourselves and our world. Don't forget, the book is funny. Some may say I am way too naive. That's fine. Say that, but I will stand for my views.
Concerning the questions I had before I read the book - I don't think the disparate views on this book have anything to do with the translation or cultural differences. I think it is simply that people are different. We value different things. We are interested in different issues. It's that simple.
BEFORE READING THE BOOK:
I really am curious about this book. The reviews are so different, thumbs up and thumbs down. Is it that there is a cultural difference between Europe and the States, or is it the translation? Who knows! The English translation is entitled The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Kirkus has already reviewed it, and they liked it. I will be reading it in French because no book is as good in translation as in its original. I am SO happy I have found a book here on GoodReads in French, maybe now I will get in contact with more French readers and current French litterature. Oh, and I really was surprised about some comment that this book was no "Amelie Poulain"! Who would ever think that one country will only produce one type of book.......... I have to remember to add to my list some books by Eric-Emanuel Schmitt, a French/Belgian author.
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Reading Progress
September 5, 2008
– Shelved
September 5, 2008
– Shelved as:
france
September 5, 2008
– Shelved as:
kirkus
September 5, 2008
– Shelved as:
fiction
March 25, 2009
–
41.11%
"It takes awhile to get to know the characters - but then you start loving them. At first I thought they were quite pretentious."
page
148
Started Reading
March 26, 2009
–
53.33%
"TIP The book's text style is different for Paloma versus Renée. This helps in the beginning, later not necessary! The lines are delicious!"
page
192
March 26, 2009
–
Finished Reading
March 27, 2009
–
90.56%
"I love this book. I agree absolutely with the philosophy expressed. I have a bad feeling there will be more rain. They will manage I think."
page
326
March 27, 2009
– Shelved as:
humor
March 27, 2009
– Shelved as:
philo-psychol
March 27, 2009
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)
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Hi Chris,I so agree with you on reading the original of books, because every book loses something in translation. Although reading in French that would be a real challenge. I do not know a lot about french literature nowadays, living on the other side of the ocean and reading mostly english. I do know a bit about Scandinavian writers because they get translated into dutch a lot and sad to say I have to read the translation as my understanding of Swedish or Norwegian is considerably lacking :-)) But as far as I can judge the translations are fairly good. I do try to read the originals if possible. I have all Harry Potters in dutch (for the kids) and in english. And I do have some german books I can get into. But living on an island it is difficult to get your hands on a book and funds are not sufficient to order at will :-)) Very interested in this book by the way.
Sophiene
hi chris i'm always looking for interesting contemporary books to readin French too, would love to hear any others you like. I've read most of Dumas in French, and lots of Simenon. I'm just starting a new mystery writer called Fred Vargas, I'm reading her in English from the library but am enjoying her so much I'm about to order some in the original. Where do you get your French books> I find Amazon canada is a good source, cause the shipping is faster and cheaper than from Amazon France; also Abebooks has a lot of French books esp the classics, often very cheap and often from U.S. dealers.
chris, i just went around looking to see if there is a group with good French lit suggestions and found one simply called Francais that seems to have interesting contemporary titles. I just joined.
I was really upset when I saw that so many comments have been left and so long ago. I never received an email as I should have! Something hasn't been functioning properly at GoodReads. I KNOW that if you miss a comment you miss the rest. I did get Lee's and we have talked but none of the others. SORRY for not responding. And now my dog of 13 years has died and I feel I just am not a functioning thinking human being any more. I started reading this book and then it happened and now I just do not have the will to use a translator. I need an easy read for my foggy head. So I came to the book to change its status and saw the additional 3 comments....... I have to suspend this book until my head works again. I have to read something that is easy, escapist and doesn't demand that I learn anything. Just read to be carried away by the story. Sorry Lee, Sophiene and Cynthia! Cynthia, I currently live in Belgium so French books are all over the place, although this one I bought in Brittany, France. I didn't know about the Group Francais. Sophiene, I have a Japanese friend here in Belgium who is married to a Duth speaking Belgian. We have lots of fun talking and when she or I don't understand eachother she says the Dutch word and very often I will understand it because it is similar to Swedish. I am best at English, then Swedish and then French. My husband is Swedish. My kids live in Sweden and I have spent actually most of my life in Sweden. It is in fact home to me more than anywhere else. That is where my dog was from. It is good to talk, to force myself to THINK prperly about other stuff than Skye, my dog.
Yes, the book was wonderfully funny, and I agree it's not a fairy tale. I did think some happenings were slightly implausible but not at all impossible. Good review. Good book too. As I think about it, I'm appreciating it more & more.
Hi Lisa, I guess anyone wanting to discuss some of the ideas in the book can mention them here or as a book discussion on the book's page. I would love to hear what other people think of the views expressed in the book.
I just finished the book, in English, and it didn't read like a translation (in other words, it was beautifully done). I loved it and I would love for my daughter, who is fluent in French, to be able to read it in the original. Is there someone here who could tell me how I might obtain a copy in French for her in the USA?
Kathleen,This
is amazon.com for France.
I've ordered British books from and they'll ship to the U.S. In fact, I get their books in about 6 days whereas UPS packages take 8 days to come from the East Coast to my West Coast city.
Kathleen, Oh, and I agree. I read it in English too and I don't know how perfect the translation was but it was beautifully written.
Thank you, Lisa. I love the camellias on the cover.
Cover? The link just goes to the France web site. I don't know enough French to get to the book on the site but I figure that your daughter could order it from them.
If you go to amazon.com and scroll down to the bottom of that page, they list all their sites in other countries. You can order from any site including France's () and they'll mail to whatever country. I was thinking that also many bookstores might be able to order a French language edition too and you could pick it up in the bookstore.
Being in another time zone really does delay my answers - sorry! I was going to suggest Amazon.fr but Lisa was quicker! Glad you enjoyed the English translation Kathlee, and I hope your daughter likes the French. Fun, then you can discuss it together! Lisa, my dear friend, you are speedy Gonzales! Both of you have a nice weekend!
I love the international membership but we do have the time zone issue. I just happened to be here. ;-) So, give Oscar some extra petting from me - wherever he likes it best. And: Piano: Quiet! No bad pianos. ;-)
His stomach - he likes his stomach rubbed! Thanks Lisa!
Chrissie..I need to do this for a live book club..am I going to like it???
Naomi, I would say definitely yes!
Heavens, I can only speak for myself, but I loved it.
Chrissie, thanks for writing my thoughts for me :). I was extremely annoyed with the characters at first, but they grow in change in beautiful ways ad are both ultimately redeemed of their faults in the end. I would LOVE to have further discussion about the book. I keep trying to get my friends around here to read it, but no one has yet. Please please please let's discuss!
Kristi I read the book at the beginning of 2009....... and my head insists it is a sieve! So I am not sure how much I will remember. I know how difficult it is to get friends to read the books you tell them they must read. I have been in the same situation as you. That is what is so wonderful about GR. Right after you read a book, wow, then you have to talk with others about it. But tell me what is pushing you to blabb about this book; maybe my head will wake up and remember. It does sometimes.
OK, now you've inspired me to try reading it in French.
Michele, I think it is always best to read a book in its original language, if possible. However you have to take into account one's own capabilities. If the person doesn't have adequate competence to master the idioms and allusions then a translation by a competent translator can be better. Sooooo, it all depends; each one of us has to decide this for ourself! You can try, and if it is too difficult turn to a translation.
Count me as a fan, albeit in translation, but although I can imagine why some people might not like it, believably isn't high on the list. (The toilet scene was a uncharacteristically silly though.)
Cecily, I agree. You can make whatever rules you like but some authors write books and you love them anyhow even if all your rules get crushed.
Chrissie ~ this book has been following me around . You know how you keep running into books by coincidence or not ? HA! So I looked up the book and when I saw your name and five stars I knew at once I was destined to read this book at this time . These are the stories I love most of all. It seems they are always French ! I wish I could read the true language . Some of my favorite books are from French writers. I suppose it is never too late . I can try to learn the language ! I am not afraid ... I love the French title better , The Elegance of the Hedgehog ! I will will let you know how I love the book.
Oh I hope you like it TONS! The French culture is marvelous and you see this in their literature, art, food and even in how they take care of their land. I share you view.
I recently read a fabulous book called Hunting and Gathering by French author Anna Gavalda. Perhaps you would enjoy the original in French? Most of the book is dialogue and it took me at least 50 pages before I started to get into it but after that I was completely hooked.