The elegance of the hedgehog book review
The reflections from 12-year-old girl Paloma and the concierge stages the theme of the book- searching for the meaning of life through appreciating beauty in life. Beauty comes in forms of music, art, literature, and human interactions. Although Renee, Paloma, and Kakuro live worlds apart in social class, upbringing, and nationality, they share life values that are often overlooked by the “French elites” as they race past their hectic lives. We sometimes forget that the “means” to achieve the “end” is just as important as the final result-it is through paying attention to our day to day lives that stage a harmonious state of mind filled with gratitude and serenity.
Beauty of Music and Art
Though translated from French, many of the sentences have great diction and the reflect the essence of our search for beauty and how we want to live. “Time slowing, expanding, a lingering graceful ballet, a snowflake that has finally come to rest” portrays the beautiful moments that has led to eternity in our memories. In depicting how portraying how music transforms humanity, “Every time it is a miracle. Here are people full of heartaches, desires, troubles, dashed hopes, and unexpected luck-yet it all disappears when the choir starts to sing. Everyday life vanishes into the song, and we are bound by a sense of brotherhood, deep solidarity, and even love. I see human beings, surrendering to music.” This greatly captures the transformation I feel in the pitch back theater when appreciating a musical performance, transfixed by the performers on stage yet completely relaxed in my own universe. You’re temporarily placed in another dimension, distant from the day to day emotions and schedules, when a brilliant escape that soothes our souls with the great stories told on stage.
Power of Literature, books, and language
Being able to read on various topics- no matter classic or contemporary literature, non-fiction, cultural reflections, or psychology on the cramped compartments of Hong Kong’s MTRs always offer me a great escape. Commuting in Hong Kong is always uncomfortable, as the claustrophobic trains and hectic pace of the people rushing around you drains your energy. Yet I believe that part of the reason why I keep a peaceful state of mind is because of the enriching landscapes flowing from the books. Sometimes I take a moment to observe the others in the train, either staring at their phones or listening to their earphones, and I always wonder how technology can sustain people’s emotional and imaginative landscapes. Very grateful for my constant travel companion-books that have enriched me in many ways J
The way that Renee describes her writing endeavors struck a bell in how I cherish the reflections and imaginative landscapes in writing. “In writing, I witness the birth of sentences that have eluded my will, teaching me something that I neither knew or though I would have known. This painless birth gives me immense pleasure, and with neither toil or certainty but the joy of frank astonishment I follow the pen that is guiding and supporting me.” Writing itself is a transformative expression of self, you reflect, explore exotic frontiers, and consolidate fractured thoughts in comprehensive paragraphs. There is no script, and the final piece surfaces only when you reach the ending sentence. Writing styles can vary drastically from our emotional states, the environments that we are in, the highs and lows of the day, and the anticipation for the future. I’d say that after a fine workout (an invigorating swim, a morning run, or a refreshing hike in the European summits), before a plane transit to another destination, during a fine morning spent with a cup of coffee in the cafe, or during a slow-paced weekend is when words flow easily from my mind. It is a spiritual celebration-exciting, relaxing, and highly personal in the expression of self.
The meaning of life
Searching for the meaning of life is a universal theme explored in many perspectives, and I believe that cherishing the small and infinite moments in our lives maximizes the beautiful experiences. Reconstructing our identities every day by our morning rituals, planning ahead and envisioning the future, slowing down and cherishing quality time with family in a comfortable pace, or treating yourself with a cup of coffee in an unhurried morning manifest how ordinary and novel pursuits constructs the beauty day to day. By slowing down and grasping the infinite moments as time passes through, we actively build on the present moment and achieve our future potentials with conscious endeavor. “By observing adults around me, I understand that life flows by in no time. They are stressed by deadlines, so eager for now they needn’t think of tomorrow. But we build on our present lives so that we don’t dread tomorrow, surpassing our Everest every day so that every step is a bit of eternity.”
Glimpse of the French Society
Through Paloma’s eyes, we glimpse the lifestyles of the French elite that she doesn’t go along with. Indifferent to the struggles of the lower social class, insincere and efficient in relationships, comfortable in their luxurious bubble, yet insecure and jealous in the inside. “Here we are, well dressed, nibbling preciously at our exorbitantly priced patisseries, belonging to a world of beliefs, codes, symbols, and projects.” Wealthy, hierarchal, rational, yet deeply insecure, the mental sickness that accompanies material comfort is something that we have to be aware of.
With a huge Muslim population, a wide social gap, a complex history, globalization, and many factors that contribute to contemporary France’s cultural melting pot. Social etiquettes, the elite education system, tea time, private space, Government, and France’s relation to other European countries are all interesting aspects to look into to explore France’s cultural identity. Through reading, taking a walk through different districts of France, and learning about the society through language and people would be a great way to enhance the understanding of a nation proud of its own culture and complicated beauty.
