Preamble, Marx: Chapters 1-2 and Profound Thought No. 1 Summary

This novel was originally written by Muriel Barbery in French. The translation was written by Alison Anderson.

In Chapter 1, the son of a tenant in the building where Renee Michel is the concierge comments that Marx has changed the way he sees the world. Renee suggests that he read The German Ideology. The young man stares at Renee as though she has gone insane because concierges are not supposed to understand such things. Renee quickly tells him to say hello to his mother, content in the fact that his wealthy outlook on life will allow him to forget what Renee had said previously.

In Chapter 2, Renee has been concierge of the building at number 7, rue de Grenelle for more than twenty years. All of Renee's clients are exceptionally wealthy...