The international publishing sensation, with sales of over 10 million
copies worldwide
Rene is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building. She
maintains a carefully constructed persona as someone uncultivated but
reliable, in keeping with what she feels a concierge should be. But
beneath this facade lies the real Rene: passionate about culture and the
arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their
outwardly successful but emotionally void lives.
Down in her lodge, apart from weekly visits by her one friend Manuela,
Rene lives with only her cat for company. Meanwhile, several floors up,
twelve-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and
vacuous future laid out for her, and decides to end her life on her
thirteenth birthday. But unknown to them both, the sudden death of one
of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives
forever.
Reviews
'Resistance is futile ... you might as well buy it before someone
recommends it for your book group. Its charm will make you say yes' The
Guardian
'Clever, informative and moving ... this is an admirable novel which
deserves as wide a readership here as it had in France.' The Observer
'The novel wins over its fans with a life-affirming message, a generous
portion of heart and Barbery's frequently wicked sense of humor' Time
Magazine
'A book of great charm and grace.' The Metro
'The book's attractive, Amélie-esque Parisian setting and cast of
eccentrics will appeal to many' Sunday Telegraph
'This breathtakingly singular novel ... is totally French yet completely
universal' Good Housekeeping
'Reveals itself as a version of the Cinderella fairytale' Financial
Times
