As a Palahniuk's novel, and one of unique genius, I would add, the world presented to us is a surreal one.
However, since I would define Palahniuk an "anthropologist", first of all and, secondly, a writer, the material for this surprising novel comes from his researches in reality. Through his attendancy to sexual addiction groups, or talks with total strangers, Palahniuk built the story of Victor Mancini and his friend Denny. The writer's focus and study on the individual and its pysche reaches outstanding levels in this book. Unforgettable are the scenes set in the characters' working place: a re-enactment museum set in colonial times, plus the author's ability to combine the numerous sub-plots, and make them collide in an exciting, breath-taking climax.
Favourite quotes:
“What I want is to be needed. What I need is to be indispensable to somebody. Who I need is somebody that will eat up all my free time, my ego, my attention. Somebody addicted to me. A mutual addiction.”
"People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on. If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. You can change the way people live their lives. That's the only lasting thing you can create.”
“We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane or insane. Saints or sex addicts. Heroes or victims. Letting history tell us how good or bad we are. Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves. And maybe it's our job to invent something better.”
“I feel my heart ache, but I've forgotten what that feeling means.”
“It's pathetic how we can't live with the things we can't understand. How we need everything labeled and explained and deconstructed.”
“We've spent so much time judging what other people created that we've created very, very little of our own.”
“The girl's lover was gone, but his shadow was still there.”
“I used rebellion as a way to hide out. We use criticism as a fake participation.”
The elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery (2006)
There is nothing better in books than characters who share your same love for literature, especially if it's Lev Tolstoj. We follow the two main characters, Paloma and Renée, whose lives will meet thanks to the presence of Kakuro Ozu, a Japanese business man, fascinated by Renée's hidden intelligence and culture. One of this book's best qualities is the choice of its setting: an upper-class Parisian block of flats, in which Renée works as a concierge, and Paloma lives with her family's hypocrisy. Exquisitely, and thoughtfully written, a tale about life, culture, and beauty. Without forgetting hilarious scenes of subtle social criticism set in the building's hall. The book, as its title, has the "same simple refinement as the hedgehog."Favourite quotes:
“I thought: pity the poor in spirit who know neither the enchantment nor the beauty of language. ”
“People aim for the stars, and they end up like goldfish in a bowl. I wonder if it wouldn't be simpler just to teach children right from the start that life is absurd.”
“When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?”
“Personally I think that grammar is a way to attain beauty.”
“I find this a fascinating phenomenon: the ability we have to manipulate ourselves so that the foundation of our beliefs is never shaken.”
“Do you know that it is in your company that I have had my finest thoughts?”
“Life has meaning and we grown-ups know what it is is the universal lie that everyone is supposed to believe. Once you become an adult and you realize that's not true, it's too late.”
“When someone that you love dies..it's like fireworks suddenly burning out in the sky and everything going black.”
“Beautiful things should belong to beautiful souls."
“They didn't recognize me," I repeat.
He stops in turn, my hand still on his arm.
"It is because they have never seen you," he says. "I would recognize you anywhere.”
“In the end, I wonder if the true movement of the world might not be a voice raised in song.”
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