Strange Country

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.

'The novel could be read as an allegory for the challenges that face our modern world, from the controversy surrounding our borders to climate change. Or, it may be seen as a strange and poetic fantasy similar to the work of Tolkien. In either case, it is a beautiful book about what it means to be brave and how we all must work to save ourselves and each other' San Francisco Book Review ‘Bewitching’ … ‘[an] enchanting hero’s journey’ Foreword Reviews ‘At its best, Barbery’s imaginative tale reads as a mix of J.R.R. Tolkien and Hayao Miyazaki, epic in scope yet grounded by humor’ Publishers’ Weekly‘Readers who love meditative, dreamlike fiction will enjoy this translation, which rings with the music of the original French’  Booklist Praise for The Life of Elves'A truly enchanting story, beautifully told and rich in meaning. (...) this book truly deserves to be read by story lovers of all ages' Irish Times 'A beguiling fairy tale' New York Times '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 'An emotional, entertaining examination of magic in the modern world' France Today '...this fervent, idiosyncratic fable is undeniable evidence of a richly lyrical imagination' Kirkus Reviews