A Parisian concierge and a precocious girl conceal their intellect while exploring philosophy, class, and human connection in an upscale apartment building.
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A Parisian concierge and a precocious girl conceal their intellect while exploring philosophy, class, and human connection in an upscale apartment building.
About
Details
EA novel by the French professor of philosophy Muriel Barbery. The book centers on a working-class concierge of an upscale apartment building in Paris, Renee Michel. She is an auto-didact of immense learning who deliberately conceals her intelligence. Her secret is discovered by a young resident of the building named Paloma. The novel is narrated alternately by each of these two characters. First released in August 2006 by Gallimard, the novel became a bestseller of over a million copies.
What Readers Think
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will contain mild spoilers
Sexual content
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Gentle late-life companionship and mild attraction; no explicit content
Violence & gore
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Accidental death occurs; not depicted with graphic detail
Profanity
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Infrequent mild language
Substance use
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Brief references to drinking and addiction themes
LGBTQ+ Rep.
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No LGBTQ+ representation depicted
Religious content
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Passing philosophical and cultural references only
Magic & witchcraft
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No magic or witchcraft present
Occult / demonology
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No occult or demonology content present
Political content
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Central critique of class hierarchy and bourgeois social roles
Self-harm / suicide
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Extensive suicidal ideation and detailed suicide planning by a child
Abuse & suffering
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Class prejudice; depicted racist and antisemitic attitudes
Other
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No information found