Reviews

The White Hotel by D. M. Thomas

nicole_schmid's review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

matt_hedgpeth's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ichundelaine4711's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

literarytranquillity's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

Extremely painful but also playful; erotic but tender. It presents both raw and indirect forms of violence, not only to show brutality but also strength. There is a slow transition from the state of being without identity to feeling complete and whole. It is a case study, a poem, a historical account, an account of precarious lives, an epistolary, and much more. All in all, it is a truly complex book that has many layers that are hard to deconstruct, even though they are most likely connected to each other, existing simultaneously, or even merging together.

mikespeegle's review

5.0

Is it possible to loathe a book and admire it at the same time? For a thing to be both sickening and exalting?

I cannot recommend this book to anyone, save for those who have–or desire to have–a comprehensive understanding of human trauma and its terrible repercussions.

stevecurati's review

5.0

An extraordinary journey of a book

niceonesherlock's review

1.0

Freudian, masculine. Poignant only in its final moments. Feat. violent erotic fantasies that serve no apparent purpose. Missed the mark.

rhinaissance's review

3.0

What...a book.

This book is odd. ODD. The format is odd, the content is odd, the style is...odd. However, it is compelling, and I just kept wanting to read more to understand. It seems as if there was a lot that I missed on the first pass, but it was such a brutal read that I am not sure I can do it again.

Every time I explained to a friend what was going on in the book, and how it was organized, I was met with a look of confusion, and honestly, fear. I don't blame them!!

I think there are segments of this book that I will read again. But other segments I will work very hard to forget. There are certain segments that I truly wish I could bleach my memory of - so be warned.

ANYWAYS. Read this book at your own risk. It is incredibly interesting, unique, and absorbing, yet also confusing, WEIRD, and at times, frustrating. Definitely something to talk to your friends about. But as you can imagine, I haven't convinced many people to read it along with me.

If you want to talk about it, I am more than interested!

el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

bookwormdreamer_94's review

4.0

This novel was a novel that cannot be forgotten. It's one of those gems you find and just experience so much from reading it.

It's one of those novels that just hits you in so many ways. It's erotic, horrifying, traumatic, and yet so captivating and beautiful. There is a lot that you question when reading the novel, but it's just so incredible.

It's by far one of the best novels I've read.