A review by em_beddedinbooks
The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton

4.0

A very slow paced book with nothing happening other than the showcasing of the almost stand-still lives of the inmates of the Rose Inn at Thames Lockdon, a sleepy hamlet off the river Thames, nearby London. World War II is in process, and it has affected the inmates only in terms of blackout and the unavailability of day to day utilities, and poor functioning of amenities. Miss Roach, the central figure is a retired school mistress, who is now working for a small time publisher in London, and who has lodged here for relative safety. The other inmates include Mr. Thwaite, a nasty old man who is always antagonizing Miss Roach, Miss Steel, Miss Barron, and the proprieteress, Miss Payne, who is a strict lady. American Lieutenants enter the scene, and Miss Roach becomes friendly with one of them. Her German friend, Vicky, who has settled in England for the past 15 odd years also gets into the Inn. Initially friendly and subservient, Vicky slowly shows her true colors, and trouble starts...
This book was a rich portrait of human emotions, foibles and prejudices, and succeeded in presenting an almost complete picture of the human mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.