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A review by mhinnen
The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Irene is on the edge of despair with no family or roots and finds herself on a bus that leads to a boat that drops her in a remote village at a hotel in a Central American country. As her life unfolds, we follow Irene's whimsical moments, stories of the hotel guests, and relationships with both indigenous and gringo local residents. Irene experiences healing, loss, disappointment, and betrayal in the decades that follow.
I was in Costa Rica when I read this and appreciated her observations about ex-pats who love the place so much that they move there and who sometimes assimilate and contribute but more often shift the culture with unintentional consequences (and eventually exploitation and opportunistic greed come calling). That said, it's important to note that the author is painting a story that comes from her own perceptions and tells the story of indigenous people through her own lens.
The Bird Hotel is told with beautiful storytelling and engaging character development. The descriptions of the village are enchanting. This was a heartfelt vacation book.
I was in Costa Rica when I read this and appreciated her observations about ex-pats who love the place so much that they move there and who sometimes assimilate and contribute but more often shift the culture with unintentional consequences (and eventually exploitation and opportunistic greed come calling). That said, it's important to note that the author is painting a story that comes from her own perceptions and tells the story of indigenous people through her own lens.
The Bird Hotel is told with beautiful storytelling and engaging character development. The descriptions of the village are enchanting. This was a heartfelt vacation book.