Muriel Barbery was born in Morocco in 1969. She is the author of two previous novels, Gourmet Rhapsody and The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which sold over six million copies worldwide and was described by Le Figaro as 'the publishing phenomenon of the decade'. She lives in France and is working on the sequel to The Life of Elves.
‘This fervent, idiosyncratic novel is undeniable evidence of a richly lyrical imagination.’ * Kirkus Reviews * ‘A homage to the power of story...A tour de force with many inspired and delightful touches…Irresistible.’ * Australian * ‘Barbery revels in the lavishing of detail...in its many moments of weird lucidity it also beguiles. It’s then that Barbery explores the mystical connections between nature, art and the human heart with vividness and clarity.’ * New York Times * ‘[A] delightful novel…This mystical fairytale for grown-ups touches on the power of art and nature, and themes of friendship and love—it’s a perfectly enchanting read for a crisp Sunday afternoon by the fire.’ * Canberra Weekly * ‘There's much to love about Barbery's unique prose. Her sentences are long, layered and circuitous…For those who enjoyed Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow Of The Wind or Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, The Life Of Elves will be welcomed and savoured.’ * New Zealand Herald *