I am giving this three stars, because I suspect, suspect, that L'élégance du hérisson, may be better read in its original French. This is perhaps not the fault of the translator, but the book in English becomes ponderous - lofty ideals and ambitions are the pillars of this book, which espouses erudition as that goal to aspire to. One need not have been born into the crème de la crème of society to foster an appreciation for Proust and Lacan and Kant, oh no! Such a person may be born into the dregs of society, but through a careful cultivation of tastes, this ideal may be within anybody's grasp. Through meandering philosophical pontifications between the two central characters, Renée, a concierge, and Paloma, a precocious twelve-year old, a story eventually unfolds, which one begins to develop an attachment to. This will be a difficult read for many, and it does take itself very seriously on occasion. However, like good wine, one needs to stick with it to the end. In my opinion, the wine could have matured longer - I was not entirely satisfied with the ending, but not dissatisfied either.