The Wednesday Reading Group met this morning, Wednesday 9th November to discuss the book; “The Elegance of the Hedgehog”. The book was acknowledged by all to be an interesting book though initially perhaps difficult to access. Two members didn’t persevere but those who did found it worth the effort. The story’s central character is a concierge in a building of apartments owned by wealthy
French families. She hides her enthusiasm for Tolstoy, philosophy and Mozart as she does not feel this is appropriate to her station. There are many references on the theme of the class and the way it permeates French society.

The other voice in the story is that of Poloma, the troubled daughter of a diplomat, who is young but a deep thinker and observer of others who has decided to kill herself. Spoiler alert, she doesn’t.

The group agreed it was a demanding read with frequent use of words not often used and, in some instances, requiring the use of a dictionary. Moral issues are explored and the nature of Art is a central theme. The dynamics of the relationships of residents of the apartments is changed by the arrival of a Japanese film director and the way each character realises who they are. There was humour in the book and all felt it was a literary book though possibly the choice of expression could become overly self-conscious by the author.

The majority of the group had enjoyed the read though all agreed it could be a Marmite book and you could love it or hate it whilst still seeing its merits and flaws.