The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery | Fiction Book Club

Host: Denise

Pages to read: 308

ISBN: 9781933372600 (Originally listed edition)
ISBN: 9781609450137 (Edition I am using)

Community Guidelines:
https://www.inquiryreviews.com/p/discussion-expectations.html

Eugene's review of the book:
https://www.inquiryreviews.com/2023/03/review-of-elegance-of-hedgehog-by.html

Upcoming event:
https://www.meetup.com/Inquiry-Non-Fiction-Book-Club-for-Inquiring-Minds/events/

Forthcoming Similar Events:
1 - Philosophy / Facades - 06/10/2023 = A Philosophy of Evil by Lars Svendsen (https://www.meetup.com/inquiry-book-club-for-inquiring-minds/events/290195702/)
2 - Fiction - 07/01/2023 = Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie (https://www.meetup.com/inquiry-book-club-for-inquiring-minds/events/290195724/)
3 - Fiction - 09/02/2023 = The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (https://www.meetup.com/inquiry-book-club-for-inquiring-minds/events/290196118/)
4 - Fiction - 09/30/2023 = Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (https://www.meetup.com/inquiry-book-club-for-inquiring-minds/events/290196449/)
5 - Death - 11/04/2023 = Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton (https://www.meetup.com/inquiry-book-club-for-inquiring-minds/events/291932110/)

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While reading the book, consider the below questions:
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest this book?
•Who is Renée Michel?
•Who is Paloma Josse?
•What does Paloma think of her family?
•Who are their friends and why?
•Who lives at 7 rue de Grenelle building and what did Renee and Paloma think of the building residents?
•Who is Kakuro Ozu?
•How do Renée and Paloma become acquainted?
•What role does Mr Ozu play in Renee and Paloma's lives?
•What happened at 7 rue de Grenelle apartment building?
•How did residents of the building deal with death(s)?
•How did residents of the building deal with changes?
•What was Paloma's plan for life and why?
•Did Paloma change her mind? Why?
•What happened to Renee? How did she change her mind?
•What are some major themes of this book?
•What did Renee and Paloma think of society and life?
•How can Freud help us understand life and meaning?
•Is there still class and caste in the 21st century?
•What are some philosophical thoughts and critiques?
•What are the benefits and consequences of an autodidact?
•Why did Renee and Paloma choose solitude?
•What does friendship bring to us?
•What is the meaning of life?
•Why is it important to connect with others?
•How can we cope with mortality?
•Why do we watch movies and listen to music?
•What is the significance of Russian literature?
•What is the purpose of Art and beauty?
•There are a large body of art works referenced in the book, how do you find them?
•How aspects of Japanese culture did Renee and Paloma enjoy?
•Why are they so fascinated with Japanese culture?
•How does Japanese/Eastern culture compare to Western/French culture?
•How did Renee find her "Japanese" experience?
•What does Mr Ozu embody and represent?

Your questions are important and will take priority. If you have questions about the book's content or related ideas, either let me know what your questions are or raise them during the discussion.