Comments on: Review: Hotel du Lac, Anita Brookner

By: D Jacobson

D Jacobson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:29:46 +0000

I loved the book in great measure because of Anita Brookner’s writing. However, I have a question. Her character finds a man attractive because of “his well-turned ankles,” revealed only while seated, of course, because he always wears impeccably tailored suits. Do you find that odd? Jane Austen could go on and on about someone’s forehead, so perhaps it’s uniquely English or rooted in the period.

But no, not in the period. In Marrying the Mistress by Joanna Trollope, a man takes a seat in a train compartment opposite a young woman: “Round the cover of her book, held up close to her face, she examined his hair and his skin and his clothes and his hands and his shoes. It looked, as far as she could see, as if he had good ankles.”

What is it with English women and ankles across several generations?

By: Chris Conlon

Chris Conlon — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:48:23 +0000

Hotel du Lac has been one of my favorite novels for over twenty years, just as Brookner has been one of my favorite writers (I’ve read all 24 of her novels, several multiple times). There is a wonderful film of Hotel du Lac starring Anna Massey; it was done by the BBC in 1986 or thereabouts. It’s only available on a Region 2 DVD right now, as far as I know, but it’s well worth searching out. Denholm Elliot plays Mr. Neville to slightly-seedy perfection.

By: Zibilee

Zibilee — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:54:12 +0000

Something about the quaint and quietness of this story really appeals to me. I am going to put it on my wish list and give it a try. I will let you know how it goes when I finally get around to it. Glad you featured this one! Zibilee’s last blog post..Don't Call Me a Crook: A Scotsman's Tale of World Travel, Whiskey and Crime by Bob Moore - 256 pgs

By: Belle

Belle — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:14:15 +0000

The quirky characters definitely sound interesting, but I usually don't like quiet literary reads. Belle’s last blog post..What’s Up Sunday – June 14

By: Meghan

Meghan — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:05:45 +0000

I think I’d file it under literary fiction. It’s not a mystery like heidenkind suggests below, although I can see how it would be set up as one. I picked it up mostly because others liked it and because I’ve been reading Booker winners in a search for a gem like The Remains of the Day.

I did like the setting of Switzerland, it sounded quite lovely. I have never been there but she certainly made me want to.

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:11:22 +0000

I’m wondering the same thing as Steven. Is it a mystery? This sounds like a great set-up for a mystery plot (very Miss Marple), but I’m not sure I’d be interested in reading it if it wasn’t a genre novel.

By: Steven Till

Steven Till — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:34:22 +0000

What genre would you say this novel falls under? What made you pick it up to read? Also, how do you feel the author did descriptively with the setting of Switzerland?

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:14:49 +0000

I generally really like Booker Prize winners but I’ve heard enough things about this one that I don’t think I’ll be picking it up anytime soon. It’s interesting because sometimes quiet books (like Remains of the Day) really strike me, but I guess it takes a crafty author to pull them off successfully. I’ve heard that Strangers, like Claire mentioned, is much better.

By: claire

claire — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:43:38 +0000

Like Nymeth, I felt exactly the same about this book. There really isn’t anything remarkable about it. It’s very forgettable. However, I recently read Brookner’s newest book, Strangers, and surprisingly I liked it a lot. Same perfectly-rendered prose, same quietude, but relatable insights abound, which I loved.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:00:02 +0000

Sorry it wasn’t any better. I was thinking that I wish someone would punish me by sending me to a quiet hotel in Switzerland.