BOOK REVIEW: THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG BY MURIEL BARBERY | 刺猬的优雅

Hello again! This interesting book with an even more outstanding title caught my attention because for one it was on the bestseller’s list for over a year. Secondly, for many years and even now still a must-read philosophy book for high school students in France. Unlike in other countries, philosophy remains a compulsory subject in France. It is a delightful, persuasive, and yet humorous book that hopefully serves as a deterrent to teenagers as well as young adults at a vulnerable age thinking about committing the unthinkable. Another fun fact is that this book is Muriel Barbery’s second masterpiece.

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“The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of philosophy, art, social class divide, and the hidden depths of human experience. Set in a Parisian apartment building, the story is told through the perspectives of two main characters: Renée, a reclusive concierge with a passion for literature and philosophy, and Paloma, a precocious twelve-year-old girl who is disillusioned with the superficiality of her life. Though living within the same apartment building but they are worlds’ apart. All the major and minor characters were very well crafted and the interactions between the two main characters were especially precious and meaningful.

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One of the book's strengths is its rich prose and thoughtful reflections on life, beauty, and the nature of existence. Barbery's writing is both lyrical and profound, inviting readers to ponder deep philosophical questions while also enjoying the intricacies of everyday life. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique perspectives and struggles, which adds depth to the narrative.

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The novel also highlights the contrast between the characters' inner lives and the external world, emphasizing the idea that true beauty and intelligence often lie beneath the surface. The interactions between Renée and Paloma, as well as the other residents of the building, create a tapestry of relationships that reveal the complexities of human connection.

In literature, the hedgehog has been portrayed in various ways, often embodying the duality of vulnerability and strength. One notable example is the character of the hedgehog in the famous fable "The Hedgehog and the Fox," attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Archilochus. In this fable, the hedgehog represents a creature that knows one big thing—how to protect itself—while the fox symbolizes cunning and adaptability. This allegory has been interpreted in numerous ways, reflecting the hedgehog's enduring presence in human thought and its ability to inspire deeper philosophical reflections.

Overall, "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" is a thought-provoking and beautifully crafted novel that resonates with readers who appreciate philosophical musings and character-driven stories. Most importantly, this book poke fun at "The Hedgehog and the Fox" fable. On the outward, Renee has the prickly character of a hedgehog quills but intellectually, she knows many things like a cunning fox. It encourages a deeper understanding of the world and the people around us, making it a rewarding read.

Thank you very much for reading! 💗

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IN CHINESE (中文翻译)

大家好！这本有趣的书，加上更出彩的书名，引起了我的注意，因为它在畅销书排行榜上停留了一年多。其次，多年来，甚至现在，它仍然是法国高中生必读的哲学书籍。与其他国家不同，哲学在法国仍然是一门必修课。这本书令人愉悦、引人入胜，又不失幽默，希望能对青少年以及正处于脆弱年龄段、想要犯下不可想象之事的年轻人起到震慑作用。另一个有趣的事实是，这本书是穆里尔·巴贝里的第二部杰作。

穆里尔·巴贝里的《刺猬的优雅》是一部文笔优美的小说，探讨了哲学、艺术、社会阶层分化以及人类经验的隐秘深度等主题。故事发生在巴黎的一栋公寓楼里，通过两个主人公的视角展开：蕾妮，一位热爱文学和哲学的隐居门房；以及帕洛玛，一位早熟的十二岁女孩，对肤浅的生活感到幻灭。虽然她们住在同一栋公寓楼里，却仿佛身处两个世界。所有主要和次要人物都刻画得惟妙惟肖，而两位主人公之间的互动尤为珍贵和深刻。

这本书的一大亮点在于其丰富的文笔以及对生命、美和存在本质的深刻思考。巴贝里的文笔既抒情又深刻，引导读者思考深刻的哲学问题，同时也享受日常生活的复杂性。书中的人物刻画丰满，每个人物都有自己独特的视角和挣扎，这为故事增添了深度。

小说还突出了人物内心世界与外部世界的对比，强调了真正的美和智慧往往隐藏在表面之下。蕾妮和帕洛玛以及楼里其他住户之间的互动，构成了一幅错综复杂的人际关系图景，揭示了人际关系的复杂性。

在文学作品中，刺猬的形象多种多样，常常体现着脆弱与坚强的二重性。一个显著的例子是古希腊哲学家阿尔基洛科斯所著的著名寓言《刺猬与狐狸》。在这则寓言中，刺猬代表着一种只懂得一件大事——如何保护自己——的生物，而狐狸则象征着狡猾和适应能力。这则寓言被赋予了多种解读，反映了刺猬在人类思想中持久的存在，以及它能够激发更深层次的哲学思考。

总而言之，《刺猬的优雅》是一部发人深省、文笔优美的小说，能够引起那些欣赏哲学思考和人物驱动故事的读者的共鸣。最重要的是，这本书嘲讽了“刺猬和狐狸”的寓言故事。蕾妮外表像刺猬一样尖锐，但内心却像狡猾的狐狸一样博学多识。它鼓励我们更深入地了解世界和我们周围的人，使其成为一本值得一读的书。

非常感谢您的阅读！💗