Simple has learning difficulties...

I think I was expecting more from this book, given its popularity on GoodReads. For one thing it is written in a style suited to quite young children, yet the content is definitely too promiscuous for that age group. For another, the translation doesn't really work; it came across as if the main characters were speaking to French people in English. And I also wonder why the two boys, Kleber and Barnaby Maluri are chosen to be of Arabic descent, an extra complication that is never really dealt with.

Barnaby, known (rather insultingly) as Simple, is 21, but has a mental age of 3 1/2. He's been institutionalised for many years, but is very unhappy there, so his younger (17) brother has decided to remove him and find a place for them both in Paris.
They eventually find a shared house, with four students, and most of the story covers the interaction between themselves and this group.

The characterisations were good and the way the students learned life-lessons from Simple, and vise versa, kept my attention. My favourite character was the talking rabbit, Mr Babbit, Simple's life companion and soft toy, who voices many of Simple's worries and frustrations.

A quick, easy read, but not a book I would particularly recommend, unfortunately. ( )

Kleber has moved to Paris for his sixth form year. He has found a flat and has his eye on 2 different girls but life is made even more interesting by his decision to take on the care of his older brother. Simple has the IQ of a 3-year-old and has been in an institution but is unhappy there. He and Mister Babbit (his toy rabbit) are happy to be living with Kleber but nothing is plain sailing.
Simple and Mister Babbit are delightfully funny characters who are catalysts for change in others’ lives in this captivating story. This book is not for everyone but teens who enjoy quirky books that make them think; will find it rewarding reading. ( )

Simpel ist ein geistig behinderter Junge und Colbert sein siebzehnjähriger Bruder. Die Mutter ist tot, der Vater mit einer neuen Familiengründung beschäftigt. Also zieht Colbert mit Simpel in eine WG in Paris.
Insgesamt ist das Buch nett, aber in meinen Augen recht unglaubwürdig. Auch von der Sprache her finde ich es eher einfach. Meine Lieblingsfigur ist übrigens "Herr Gott", dessen Eingreifen Monsieur Hasehase mehrfach rettet. ( )

Rain Man lässt grüßen. Ein beeindruckends Buch, voller Leichtigkeit wird die Situation des 17 jährigen Colbert erzählt, der mit seinem behinderten Bruder Simpel in einer Wohngemeinschaft unterkommt.. Die Mutter ist verstorben, der Vater lebt in einer neuen Beziehung und er steckt Simpel nach Mailincroix in ein Heim. Dort geht Simpel vor die Hunde. In der WG gewinnt er nach und nach die Herzen der Mitbewohner. Sein Monsieur HaseHase ein Stofftier ist Simpels ständiger Begleiter, der für viel Turbulenzen sorgt. (Leseprobe S. 132) das warmherzige Buch mit zahlreichen humorvollen Passagen ist wirklich ein Gewinn. ( )