Renée is the 54 year old concierge in an upscale Paris apartment building, and Paloma is a 12 year old girl living there with her family; they are the voices in which this story is told. What the two have in common is intelligence and the need to play social roles in which they keep their intelligence hidden. Renée's duplicity is somewhat offensive, because she hides behind her role of servant and makes fun of others, thus appearing fearful, small-minded, and arrogant. Paloma is seriously disturbed and planning suicide. Gradually, the residents of the building reveal themselves through interaction, and events lead to opportunities for growth.
There is much display of erudition in The Elegance of the Hedgehog and on the whole this is challenging and interesting. However, it sometimes gets a little too abstruse and even tiresome.
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