Muriel Barbery is the author of four previous novels, including the IMPAC-shortlisted multimillion-copy bestseller The Elegance of the Hedgehog. She has lived in Kyoto, Amsterdam and Paris and now lives in the French countryside.
'Witty and touching, this novel features two of my favorite female characters' - Gillian Anderson 'Resistance is futile . . . you might as well buy it before someone recommends it for your book group. Its charm will make you say yes' - Guardian 'Clever, informative and moving . . . an admirable novel which deserves as wide a readership here as it had in France' - Observer 'Wins over its fans with a life-affirming message, a generous portion of heart and Barberys frequently wicked sense of humor' - Time Magazine 'A book of great charm and grace' - Metro