A few months ago, Sevda sent me a note to let me know she'd read a review of a book that recommended that psychiatrists should tell their patients to read it instead of prescribing anti-depressants.  The thought made us laugh, but the suggestion has stuck with us.  This month, we're going to self-medicate by reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery



The Elegance of the Hedgehog is described in this way:
"The novel depicts and hopes to appeal to the connoisseur of humanity who can appreciate exquisite qualities unacknowledged by others. One of her two Parisian diarist heroines is a concierge, the other a suicidal adolescent. They sound conventional, but that's precisely the point: they both work very hard to achieve stereotypicality.  It is a moving, funny, triumphant novel that exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us."

Reviews from people we don't know:
"This book made me struggle to empathize with the two main characters for the first few chapters, though I was appreciating the excellent writing. But as I got more involved in Renee and Paloma's stories and their delicate forging of connections, I came to love the book and didn't want it to end. A treat." - andreatodd

- and on the flip side -

"This was one of the worst books I have ever read. Still have not finished it, probably never will. Don't waste your money" - ohhowboring


Since this book takes place in Paris, I'd like to pair this book with the drink I enjoyed when my mom and I were in Paris - Kir Royale.  It's simple, easy, delicious, and fancy.  The book sounds good on it's own, but I'm pretty sure it would be even better with one of these in hand.

Kir Royale
6 ounces champagne
1/2 ounce crème de cassis
Lemon twist


After you're finished (that's the book that would be finished, not the Kir Royale), please leave your rating here.  Tell us what you think:

***** = This was one of the best books I've ever read.
**** = It was a great book, I'd definitely recommend it.
*** = It was pretty good.
** = There were some parts that were OK, but overall not great.
* = Not great.  At all.
0 = Didn't quite get around to this one.