The Life of Elves

Described as a 'truly enchanting story' by The Irish Times, the acclaimed author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog brings us a lyrical homage to the powers of nature and art, told by two young girls who are destined to change the world.
'A beguiling fairy tale' New York Times
Two foundling girls hundreds of miles apart discover a unique bond that will help them fight the forces of evil.
The villagers had never seen anything like it: dense white curtains of snow that instantly transformed the landscape. Not in autumn, not here in Burgundy. And on the same night a baby was discovered, dark-eyed little Maria, who would transform all their lives.
Hundreds of miles away in the mountains of Abruzzo, another foundling, Clara, astonishes everyone with her extraordinary talent for piano-playing. But her gifts go far beyond simple musicianship.
As a time of great danger looms, though the girls know nothing of each other, it is the bond that unites them and others like them, which will ultimately offer the only chance for good to prevail in the world.

About the author

Muriel Barbery is a former lecturer in philosophy and the author of four novels, including the IMPAC-shortlisted multimillion-copy bestseller The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Published in France in 2006 and in the UK in 2008, the novel was translated in 44 countries, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide, and was described by Le Figaro as ‘the publishing phenomenon of the decade’.

Alison Anderson is an author and the translator of around 100 books from French, including Muriel Barbery’s previous novels and works by Amélie Nothomb and J. M. G. Le Clézio.

Summary

Described as a 'truly enchanting story' by The Irish Times, the acclaimed author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog brings us a lyrical homage to the powers of nature and art, told by two young girls who are destined to change the world.

'A beguiling fairy tale' New York Times

Two foundling girls hundreds of miles apart discover a unique bond that will help them fight the forces of evil.

The villagers had never seen anything like it: dense white curtains of snow that instantly transformed the landscape. Not in autumn, not here in Burgundy. And on the same night a baby was discovered, dark-eyed little Maria, who would transform all their lives.

Hundreds of miles away in the mountains of Abruzzo, another foundling, Clara, astonishes everyone with her extraordinary talent for piano-playing. But her gifts go far beyond simple musicianship.

As a time of great danger looms, though the girls know nothing of each other, it is the bond that unites them and others like them, which will ultimately offer the only chance for good to prevail in the world.  

Additional text

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘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

Report

'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
'This breathtakingly singular novel ... is totally French yet completely universal' Good Housekeeping
'Reveals itself as a version of the Cinderella fairytale' Financial Times
'Nobody ever imagined that this tender, funny book with a philosophical vein would have enjoyed such incredible success. For some, it is part Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder, part Monsieur Malaussene by Daniel Pennac. While for others it resembles a written version of the film Amélie. Either way, readers are responding in vast numbers.' Le Monde
'The reader will be amused, surprised and moved by this philosophical tale: a user's guide to life which is a delight on every level.' Elle
'Enthusiastically recommended for anyone who loves books that grow quietly and then blossom suddenly.' Marie Claire

Product details

• Authors: Muriel Barbery, Muriel Barbéry
• Assisted by: Alison Anderson (Translation)
• Publisher: Gallic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 01.05.2017
• EAN: 9781910477335
• ISBN: 978-1-910477-33-5
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 129 mm x 198 mm x 16 mm
• Subject: Fiction > Narrative literature