Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (Book Review)

[@biritsimonsen]

I just finished this book a couple of hours ago and went online to read about it. I have no one to talk to about it so you are providing that for me in a kind of one-sided way. So much of what you said is exactly what I was thinking! I initially read Hotel du Lac in the late 80s or early 90s and I remember loving it. It was so long ago though that it felt like I was reading it for the first time. As well, I'm much older now, obviously, so I saw it very differently. I think I should have been like Edith however I did what she did not and married 3 times. And I so wish I had not. I should have been single. So this book really spoke to me. I'm not sure what I would have done at the end though - if I'd have married Mr. Neville or not. He really was offering just friendship and companionship - not a romantic marriage. Plus her relationship with David really seemed less than satisfying and I wonder if that would have ended badly eventually. So, thanks for this review Helen, and the chance to imagine that I'm talking to someone about it. I think I'm going to read her other books as well!

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Wonderful and thank you for sharing your thoughts and story. This book got me into more of her books. Since I read this book, I’ve read another 5. I love them all. There’s characters who I can relate to - even situations. I’m so glad you liked Hotel du Lac and shared what you thought. Happy reading!

[@raducarven5640]

I just finished the book and willing to talk to you about it

[@jacquirees7800]

Thanks Helen - sounds great.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you!

[@mandy8392]

You've driven up Brookner's used book share price! I paid $7 for my copy at Books at Yarck. Really appreciate the shared insights and love your channel. Thank you. ☕️

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Ha ha! 🤣 Yeah well every time I go to a second hand book store and find one of her novels, I’ll always buy it. Got myself a steady collection and already reviewed about 5 of them here (although Hotel du Lac was the best by far!)

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

You are an inspiration for discovering new books❤

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you!!

[@evangelinepoe8952]

After viewing the beginning of this video, you had me intrigued, but I didn’t want spoilers so thank you for letting me know to close out. I read the preview on Google and found her writing thought-provoking and intelligent. Just finished the book and loved it. It reminded me of the movie Enchanted April. (which I’ve rewatched many times). Thank you for the recommendation! I will be looking for other books by the author as well.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you. This is great to read. Let me know what you think of her other books too. I loved Hotel Du Lac which I then gave to other girlfriends to read too. The writing is beautiful. I don’t know the movie you mentioned but I’ll check it out. The movie Hotel du Lac is available on KZbin too which I didn’t mind and very close to the book.

[@emilyrhodeswriter]

Great review Helen! I'm intrigued now about Elizabeth Finch...

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you! I’ve done a review of Elizabeth Finch here too if you’re interested. Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes (Book Review) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZvXl4qClK17a7s

[@Heartandmind22]

Thank you for this insightful review! I am new to Brookner and have chanced upon another work of hers, Look at Me. Now learning of Hotel du Lac, I'm even more enchanted! Would you recommend one over the other for a first approach to the author?

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you! I’d say go for Hotel du Lac first. I found this one most memorable but that’s maybe because it was my first book of hers. I’ve done other reviews of her books here A Start in Life by Anita Brookner (Book Review) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWjUnHWJrNaUZ6c Look At Me by Anita Brookner (Book Review) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXizd5qkjpWBmcU The Next Big Thing by Anita Brookner (Book Review) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-XaYuwnNOhoZY Providence by Anita Brookner (Book Review) kzbin.info/www/bejne/emqTo4lppr2enpY

[@lisacompton3661]

Just found this. Brilliant review - thank you. I've been a fan of Anita Brookner. I've thoroughly enjoyed her other books. Some are considered even better than Hotel du Lac! I shall now search out your review of Julian Barnes' Elizabeth Finch and indeed his book. And yes, I have stayed in a hotel on Lake Geneva/Leman! Best wishes.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you Lisa. This is greatly appreciated and one day, I hope to stay on Lake Geneva too! 🤞 I’m glad you enjoyed the book and the review. I LOVE Anita Brookner. Check through my other reviews as I have more (I also have another couple coming up soon!).

[@lisacompton3661]

@LifeLessonsFromBooks Will do. By the way, I couldn't help noticing a wee ukulele hanging out with your books! I'm a player.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Yes! That’s my toy ukulele. I have another better quality one I play with a group. It’s a lot of fun to play and sing. 😃

[@theresahemminger1587]

I’ve never read a booker book I didn’t like. I always read them and frequently the runners-up. It has led me to wonderful books I wouldn’t have otherwise considered, including this one.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thanks for this comment, greatly appreciated. Out of interest, have you noticed any differences of Booker Prize winners of the past versus recent? In my own experience, the recent ones didn't do much for me. Of course, it may have been my state of mind when I was reading them though.....

[@FiReadsBooks]

Anita Brookner is one of my favourite authors ❤

[@normandalgetti4595]

Thank you for this insightful review of one of my absolute favourite books. Jumping the tracks for a moment, if you haven't seen the TV adaptation I highly recommend it. Available on DVD from the BBC. Anna Massey is Edith Hope in living colour, whenever I read the novel again it's Massey's voice in my head. Denholm Elliott is at his very best as Mr Neville (I still cannot decide if he's really a cad or has a kind heart hidden in there somewhere). Publisher Geoffrey Chater is like a kindly uncle and the rest of the cast do credit to the story. The finishing touch is the gaspworthy scenery of Switzerland. Sorry for the digression, back to your review. I concur with all your conclusions, it's like you read my mind (you express my thoughts very well!). I also agree with Edith; naughtiness in novels or films ruins the narrative, it is entirely uncalled for. Brookner's writing draws me in like a magnet, her “author's voice” really speaks to me. I prefer Hotel du Lac to the other Brookner novels I have read, possibly because it has more dialogue. I like conversation, and my only frustration with her novels is that you can get to Chapter 3 and nobody's said anything. But her absorbing internal dialogue does keep me nailed to the page. Though I risk cries of outrage, I think Edith should have accepted Mr Neville's proposal. I anticipate that her bit on the side will make himself scarce in due course and she will end her days a lonely old woman. She deserves so much more. I also like your review because you put a word in for other books. I will be checking out “Elizabeth Finch”, thank you for that. PS: Stay Grey ‒ it looks fabulous.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank you so much for your reply on this video. I did see the movie as it was uploaded onto KZbin and I did enjoy it. Watching the movie sometimes helps in understanding different interpretations in that you may think of the character in your mind in one way but what is portrayed on screen may be different. Please read Elizabeth Finch and let me know how you found it. I read it not realising that Finch was actually, Brookner. I loved how Barnes had written her and remember taking photos of the pages describing her to my friend and writing "isn't this lecturer marvellous!" (Elizabeth Finch was the lecturer in the book). I later found out that Julian Barnes had written Anita Brookner as Elizabeth Finch so it made me like her even more because she 'came alive' for me. PS. Yep, staying grey because I cannot be bothered dyeing it. This is me. If people have an issue with it, so be it. I'll still sleep well at night. Ha ha!!

[@normandalgetti4595]

@@LifeLessonsFromBooks Have just downloaded "Elizabeth Finch" to my Kindle. Am already hooked by the bit they let you read on Amazon so I expect to enjoy the book. Will get back to you.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

I'm glad! Happy reading! :-)

[@WillJ5112]

Anita Brookner is worth reading whether or not she wins a book award.Do not judge her books either by their cover or what the critics may say, just read it and the rest of her oeuvre and you will not be disappointed.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Most definitely! I’ve read about six of her books now and love them all.

[@raducarven5640]

I live around the Geneva lake but I cannot figure out the exact location of the hotel du lac

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Oh how wonderful to live in such a pretty place. (I’m imagining it as I’ve never been there.) Maybe Brookner dreamed up the place like me. 🤣