This analysis of the writings of Bernardo Atxaga is inspired by his image of the Basque language as a hedgehog that has "survived... by withdrawing," but that has now emerged, preeminently in the work of this most international of Basque authors. The book explores the enthusiastic global reception of Atxaga's novel, Obabakoak, now translated into twentysix languages. Distributed for the Center for Basque Studies.