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clt677's review
4.0
I was torn between giving this book a 3 or 4. It really wasn't until the last 150 pages or so that I got really into the book and couldn't put it down. Unfortunately it took the first 270 pages to get there. There is a lot of time spent on Alice's life in New York and it wasn't until I read the author's note at the end that I really understood what she was trying to do. It is an interesting cast of characters, there are just a lot of them. I struggled with remembering them all, and even at the end with just a vague memory of some of them, it didn't impact the story. I ended up giving a 4 because the last 150 pages were just that good. I just wish it hadn't taken so long to get there.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
A great read! I always love Lindsay Faye's books and this is no exception.
This book felt luxurious. It was a page turner, but it took its time. Pauses to contemplate the environment enhanced the narrative and heightened tension.
Deep admiration for Faye for effectively writing much of the dialogue is in flapper speak. Surprisingly, it didn't feel contrived or onerous.
I found it a little jarring to go back and forth between Now and Then chapters. I'd be so immersed in either Now or Them that is forget where we left off in the other time period and have a bit of discombobulation before getting resituated.
This book felt luxurious. It was a page turner, but it took its time. Pauses to contemplate the environment enhanced the narrative and heightened tension.
Deep admiration for Faye for effectively writing much of the dialogue is in flapper speak. Surprisingly, it didn't feel contrived or onerous.
I found it a little jarring to go back and forth between Now and Then chapters. I'd be so immersed in either Now or Them that is forget where we left off in the other time period and have a bit of discombobulation before getting resituated.
debsd's review
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Jo. Read her review on the Cook Memorial Public Library blog, Shelf Life: https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2019/02/27/jos-pick-of-the-week-the-paragon-hotel-by-lyndsay-faye/
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search?formids=target&lang=eng&suite=def&reservedids=lang%2Csuite&submitmode=&submitname=&target=paragon+hotel+faye
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search?formids=target&lang=eng&suite=def&reservedids=lang%2Csuite&submitmode=&submitname=&target=paragon+hotel+faye
debbiecuddy's review
3.0
From the mafia in NYC to the KKK in Portland, Oregon, this novel takes a look at racism in early 20th century America. The female characters were strong and especially interesting. I enjoyed the snappy dialogue, although I did grow a bit weary of the Flapper colloquialisms. Both entertaining and thought provoking, I enjoyed this book.
lisa_mc's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise and historical detail, but the pacing was uneven and while I love a bunch of strong female protagonists, these characters seemed a bit too woke for a hundred years ago. The language, too, was uneven -- some characters didn't seem to have a consistent voice.
I liked this novel fine -- it was a good enough read, better if you're really into historical fiction -- but I'm not thrusting it into the hands of the rest of my friends (my book club read it and I'm the one who got the books from the library, so I guess I sort of thrust it into their hands).
I liked this novel fine -- it was a good enough read, better if you're really into historical fiction -- but I'm not thrusting it into the hands of the rest of my friends (my book club read it and I'm the one who got the books from the library, so I guess I sort of thrust it into their hands).
mayawildgoose's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating characters and time period, but odd execution. Definitely won't re-read, but learned a lot from it.
chloescozycorner's review against another edition
I feel like the author so desperately wanted to have the characters be quippy and use 1920s speak, that the dialogue became incredibly wordy. I found myself rereading pages even though there wasn’t anything super important for me to be learning. I really tried, but I cannot continue.