The Life of Elves

Muriel Barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and the bestselling author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and been described by Le Figaro as 'the publishing phenomenon of the decade'.

'This is a truly enchanting story, beautifully told and rich in meaning. (...) this book truly deserves to be read by story lovers of all ages' The Irish Times

'An emotional, entertaining examination of magic in the modern world' France Today

'A hymn to music, art, nature, love, land ("terroir"), the dignity of work, simplicity and the yearning for peace' The Australian

'A beguiling fairy tale' The New York Times

'This novel glows with finely crafted prose' Los Angeles Review of Books

'Vivid imagery and a thread of mystery draw readers into the timeless and ethereal world of these young girls with a destiny to fulfill' Booklist

'A beautifully written fantasy' Breakaway Reviewers

'Fans of both Barbery and fantasy from writers like Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen will be enchanted.' Library Journal

'...this fervent, idiosyncratic fable is undeniable evidence of a richly lyrical imagination.' Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Elegance of the Hedgehog

'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