The Elegance of the Hedgehog

I waited and waited to obtain this book. Then, when I did receive it, I waited and waited to read it. And, finally, when I did read it, I read it very, very slowly.

Conclusion: I liked it very much. Not a disappointment. Not a book overhyped. Thoughtful. Full of wonderful, very human characters.

The plot centers on two people: a middle-aged concierge, brilliant but determined to hide her intelligence from her world, and a clever twelve-year-old, who has decided she will commit suicide and burn up her apartment building before her next birthday. Both are deeply lonely people, estranged from almost everyone in their lives. Then a new tenant moves into the apartment building and everything changes.

Lovely story.