Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Sept 16, 2009 7:51:12 GMT -5
Yes, sounds good to me!
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Bina
First novel published
Posts: 2,472
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Post by Bina on Sept 18, 2009 6:01:54 GMT -5
No great analysis, just a few impressions from me: I felt that when Ozu arived things finally happened. Madame Michel was brought out of her self-imposed role and her struggle made her character more interesting. Although the reason for her hiding seemed petty cliché and fake, I would have never expected this from Madame Michel. I´m glad I´m not the only one who thought there was more to Colombe. Making sense of philosopher´s texts and ideas takes much more than what she shouldbe capable of according to Paloma. As for Paloma, is it alright to hate her? While Madame Michel was still interesting and likeable, Paloma´s discourse on her intelligence comes across as arrogant and stupid. For me intelligence goes hand in hand with experience and she is lacking in that and in social skills. Also, the importance of grammar in the book sets it apart from others but I think that Barbery neglects the plot because of it. Perhaps I should add that I still liked the book?
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Sept 18, 2009 8:27:33 GMT -5
I came across a good explanation for Paloma's name, but it comes up later on in the story so I won't say anything for now. I was waiting for whatever you meant by this but never figured it out. What part are you talking about? As for Colombe, we should remember that we were viewing her through her 12-year-old sister. Obviously we weren't going to get the true picture of her.
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Isa
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Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Sept 22, 2009 7:37:31 GMT -5
It's when we find out that Renee was named after a dead relative - it's like it establishes yet another link between her and Paloma, who is named after her sister. Seems a little contrived, but then again I thought most of the story was rather contrived.
Things do pick up once Mr. Ozu arrives, and I felt more sympathy towards Mme Michel once I found out what happened to her sister although I couldn't really understand how a supposedly intelligent woman would turn this event into some sort of superstition and let it ruin her life. For me, that was the number 1 problem with the novel: to keep up with Mme Michel's and Paloma's reflections you need to dig deep and think, but to enjoy the novel as a whole you often need to unplug your brain because it's so full of cliches and impossibilities, there's no way you can enjoy it if you spend too much time thinking about what's going on.
The end was also a bit of a mystery to me - I couldn't understand what Mme Michel's death brought to the story, but maybe I missed some obscure philosophical explanation?
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Post by Hanna on Sept 29, 2009 3:05:54 GMT -5
I thought that maybe in some cliche way, Mme Michel's death saved Paloma's life? Because when Mme Michel dies, Paloma seems to realize what a "waste" it would be to commit suicide on her 13th birthday, and decides to live instead. (It's been a while since I finished the book so maybe she had already realized that, I can't remember)
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Lu
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Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Oct 4, 2009 3:20:50 GMT -5
I recently finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog and I thought to post some impressions, although I'm a bit late for the discussion. The end was a mystery to me too, I think Anna's explanation is good. But...doesn't such an end prove Mrs Michel right in her hiding from society, in her playing the role of the dumb concierge? Things do pick up once Mr. Ozu arrives, and I felt more sympathy towards Mme Michel once I found out what happened to her sister although I couldn't really understand how a supposedly intelligent woman would turn this event into some sort of superstition and let it ruin her life. I agree with Isa. 2. I'd say yes, I agree. I always have the impression that the books I read at school where more deeply analized, on the other hand it's great being able to choose your own books to read and to put them down if you don't like them 3. I think it's a burden for her. I didn't like Paloma at first (...I couldn't stand her!). I agree with Dorothy: As for Paloma, is it alright to hate her? While Madame Michel was still interesting and likeable, Paloma´s discourse on her intelligence comes across as arrogant and stupid. For me intelligence goes hand in hand with experience and she is lacking in that and in social skills. I started to undertstand Paloma more after the episode of her schoolmate asking the teacher what grammar was. 4. I didn't noticed, that's very interesting! Perhaps it means that they're more similar than they themselves realize (as you guys already said) and they just speak different languages I started to enjoy the book more after the arrival of Mr. Ozu, both Mrs. Michel and Paloma made more sense to me after they met Mr. Ozu, It was like the real beginning of the story. My favorite part was when Mrs. Michel and Mr. Ozu "accidentally" quote the opening of Anna Karenina, and the role of Lev, Mrs. Michel's cat.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Oct 4, 2009 7:27:05 GMT -5
My favorite part was when Mrs. Michel and Mr. Ozu "accidentally" quote the opening of Anna Karenina, and the role of Lev, Mrs. Michel's cat. I agree, it was funny how she just let it slip and he immediately picked up on it!
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