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Finbar's Hotel by Doyle, Enright, Hamilton, Johnston,O'Connor and Toibin

abecedarian

abecedarian

Well-Known Member
Has anyone read this? I'm about half-way through. I found it through Book Lust by Nancy Pearl, and was intrigued by the idea of a novel written by 6 Irish authors, each contributing an anonymous chapter. It's up to the reader to guess who has written each section. Since all of these authors are new to me, I'm not playing that game, but it is cool to see certain events and characters from several different perspectives. Sort of reminds me of interviews with various eye witnesses to a crime. Each has a slightly different slant.
 
Well, I have read The Master, by Colm Toibin, but I doubt that'd help very much -- unless you think one of the authors sounds a lot like Henry James?

;)
 
I wouldn't recognize Henry James if he kicked me in the shins! Which would be a real trick since he's dead...

I finished the book early this morning, and I gave it a 3.5 rating out of 5 possible. The idea was great, to show the goings on of a seedy hotel from different voices, but some of the chapters just flopped. All the writers did a good job of keeping to a certain sad, melancholy feel, but the book just isn't one I want to insist everyone I know read. I might try these authors by themselves though.
 
=abecedarian]I wouldn't recognize Henry James if he kicked me in the shins! Which would be a real trick since he's dead...
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I think you would enjoy James. Next time you see one of his books at the library, you might consider picking it up.

You being right in the middle of your devoted parenting years, perhaps Portrait of a Lady would be better than The Turn of the Screw.

:D
 
Thanks for the advice, I may have to do that. But I'd be willing to bet a whole dime my local library won't have anything by Henry James. Its a fairly small place, and they get rid of anything that doesn't rotate very often. You'd be amazed(and saddened) to see the great books they get rid of for a mere donation.
 
As a former librarian of a small town library, I remember the frustration of having to let go of certain books to make room for new ones. I'd be tempted to hide some of my favorites when the Head came to "weed".

Ah, well. it makes the book collectors happy.
 
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