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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
I bought this book when I was in high school, and this man seemed to be somewhat popular, a steady presence on all the roadside book stalls. I never picked it up to read, not quite sure why. When I told my friends I had started reading this book now, the general response was how amazing of an author Hailey is, how his books are hard to put down and how I should read the rest of his titles also. I found myself engaged in the book from the first page, and with such a hearty recommendation from so many, my curiosity was duly piqued.
The book surprised me. You see, it's a very busy book, with a medley of characters and perspectives and back stories and oodles of information about the hotel business and the inner workings of a grand hotel. And it's all incredibly interesting to take in. So what surprised me was this: the book had no plot! Absolutely nothing happened. Or should I say, there were many things happening, teenie sub-plots and incidents and happenstances; but they did not add to anything much. The book had ten beginnings, fourteen middles and five ends and events tied up with other stray events, but overall - I was just left feeling that not much happened. How should I put it - this would not make a good movie, for instance, because a movie would need a nice meaty plot.
And this is not a criticism. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the utter lack of plot fascinated me... There wasn't a single or couple of characters I could focus on, no one that really stole my heart or mind. In a way, like the title promised, the hotel itself was the character and the book was a slice of its life. The action did not stop till the last page, and the book ended as abruptly as it had started. No resolutions, just newer beginnings. What an interesting writer.
The book surprised me. You see, it's a very busy book, with a medley of characters and perspectives and back stories and oodles of information about the hotel business and the inner workings of a grand hotel. And it's all incredibly interesting to take in. So what surprised me was this: the book had no plot! Absolutely nothing happened. Or should I say, there were many things happening, teenie sub-plots and incidents and happenstances; but they did not add to anything much. The book had ten beginnings, fourteen middles and five ends and events tied up with other stray events, but overall - I was just left feeling that not much happened. How should I put it - this would not make a good movie, for instance, because a movie would need a nice meaty plot.
And this is not a criticism. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the utter lack of plot fascinated me... There wasn't a single or couple of characters I could focus on, no one that really stole my heart or mind. In a way, like the title promised, the hotel itself was the character and the book was a slice of its life. The action did not stop till the last page, and the book ended as abruptly as it had started. No resolutions, just newer beginnings. What an interesting writer.
Wow, an oldie that I somehow never picked up!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and how the little storylines all came together. I will be reading more Arthur Hailey in 2020, for sure!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and how the little storylines all came together. I will be reading more Arthur Hailey in 2020, for sure!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I came across a 1965 copy of this in my local book box and took it with me, not knowing what a masterpiece and apparent classic I had found! I remembered liking vintage hotel stories and this seemed to be that, and it was, but also so much more. The title is very accurate, I found it fascinating how in depth and diverse the depiction of hotel life was, but also the "host of vividly drawn characters" (advertised in the blurb of my edition) did not disappoint.
The book also turned out to be somewhat of a vintage detective story, which I loved too, fulfilling the promise of suspense, entertainment, moral high and low grounds, and a conclusion perfectly drawn together.
For the modern reader it is as readable as a contemporary work, but with the added and sometimes surprising normality of the 60s society in North America. This aspect is what I miss in contemporary historical novels, and it's why I enjoy reading older books. It's insightful in many ways and so much more immersive.
So yeah, this was great! I would be interested to read other books by the author.
(I've had a look at the screen adaptations of this which did not appeal to me. Something about reading a book and making it your own world is so nice, which decidedly 80s-looking actors are not. But nevertheless the book did remind me what genres I should read more of, and also that I just really enjoy reading!)
The book also turned out to be somewhat of a vintage detective story, which I loved too, fulfilling the promise of suspense, entertainment, moral high and low grounds, and a conclusion perfectly drawn together.
For the modern reader it is as readable as a contemporary work, but with the added and sometimes surprising normality of the 60s society in North America. This aspect is what I miss in contemporary historical novels, and it's why I enjoy reading older books. It's insightful in many ways and so much more immersive.
So yeah, this was great! I would be interested to read other books by the author.
(I've had a look at the screen adaptations of this which did not appeal to me. Something about reading a book and making it your own world is so nice, which decidedly 80s-looking actors are not. But nevertheless the book did remind me what genres I should read more of, and also that I just really enjoy reading!)
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is totally worth reading! First I thought while reading first chapters that "Airport" is much better and more interesting, but the ending has blown my mind away.l read this amazing ending in two hours. Absolutely in love with all of the plot lines crossings in Arthur Hailey's works, characters are so well thought out with their own story, so we can understand their behavior better. Also I found some of the character's behavior to be quite similar with mine which helped me to see my weaknesses from the other point of view. I definitely recommend reading this book and you have to read "Airport" as well
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No