Sunday Book Chat

‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ by Muriel Barbery will be the topic of the Rockport Public Library Sunday Book chat on Nov. 16 at 2:00 p.m.

This moving, funny, triumphant novel exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous among us. Renee, the concierge of a Parisian hotel, furtively devours art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With biting humor she scrutinizes the lives of the building’s tenants. On the fifth floor lives talented, precocious Paloma, a 12-year-old genius, who has come to terms with life’s seeming futility and decided to end her own on her next birthday. Paloma and Renee hide their talents and their finest qualities from a world they suspect cannot or will not appreciate them. They discover their kindred souls when a wealthy Japanese man arrives. He gains Paloma’s trust and sees through Ren_e’s timeworn disguise to the secret that haunts her.

The Book Chat is an informal discussion of titles of interest to a general audience. New members are always welcome and the library is handicapped accessible. Copies of the book are available at the library and Toad Hall Bookstore.