Rene is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building. She maintains a carefully constructed persona as someone uncultivated but reliable; in keeping with what she feels a concierge should be. But beneath this facade lies the real Rene: passionate about culture and the arts; and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives. Down in her lodge; apart from weekly visits by her one friend Manuela; Rene lives with only her cat for company. Meanwhile; several floors up; twelve-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her; and decides to end her life on her thirteenth birthday. But unknown to them both; the sudden death of one of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives forever. By turns moving and hilarious; this unusual and insightful novel is now an international publishing sensation; with sales of over 10 million copies.