The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
- The Elegance of the Hedgehog is has been described as a ‘life-affirming’ book. To what extent do you feel this is true?
- The story is told through Renée’s ‘musings’ and Paloma’s journals. How well do you think having two narrators works and why? How different would the book be with just one narrator?
- Renée is an untypical heroine. Is she presented sympathetically? How far can the reader relate to her world view and personal situation?
- As well as being very bright, Paloma shows great wisdom for a twelve-year-old. Do you find her maturity believable? How does her character develop as the book progresses?
- What does the novel tell us about culture and learning? Are Renée and Paloma’s enthusiasms presented in a way that makes you want to explore them further?
- Friendships are central to the story. Is there one you find particularly convincing and if so why?
- How important is the Japanese dimension to the story?
- Renée and Paloma share a fascination with language that makes them acutely sensitive to what the people around them say or write. Are they unusual in this?
- What does the book tell us about the influence that family and background can have on an individual’s life?
- The mood and tone of The Elegance of the Hedgehog are wide-ranging: from scenes of comedy to moments of tragedy. Has this added to your enjoyment of the novel, and if so why?
These questions are available in Microsoft Word format here and as Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) here
- How far do you think The Gourmet is a book of the senses?
- Muriel Barbery's writing evokes food very vividly. Which was your favourite description and why?
- Pierre Arthens has ruthlessly persued ambition and personal enjoyment at the expense of everyone else in his life. What do you think drove him to do this? Do you think it is a trait shared by many people who achieve this level of success?
- Is there anything surprising about Arthen's personality? Do you find him at all likeable? Why does he seem to have a special affinity with animals?
- There are many memories of childhood in the book. Which would you say best captures how children experience the world?
- How significant is the theme of self-deception in the story?
- What does the book tell us about the difference between the way individuals present themselves to the world and how they feel inside?
- How do the many voices who speak in the novel contribute to our understanding of Arthens? Do you feel this is an effective way of telling the story?
- What did you think of the ending? What does Arthens derive from finally remembering his long-sought-after flavour?
- Ultimately is this book really about the significance of food?
These questions are available in Microsoft Word format here and as Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) here.
The Suicide Shop by Jean Teulé
- One of the author’s aims in writing The Suicide Shop was to take any possible glamour out of the idea of suicide. Do you think he succeeds in this?
- Would you say that the main message of the book concerns the power of happiness to change things for the better?
- Why do you think the book was not set in an actual place?
- The Suicide Shop is billed as a black comedy. Do you think that is correct?
- What do you think the book tells us about family relationships and the influence we have on our children?
- Why do you think the book ended the way it did?
These questions are available in Microsoft Word format here and as Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) here
