Hotel World
Ali Smith
This novel had been short-listed for the 2001 Orange Prize. The bookclub had been invited to take part in a Radio 4 style bookclub and meet the author at Dunstable library on 20th June.
Andrew had found the first chapter off-putting but found it made much more sense once he had read the whole book. The book is narrated by five different women all linked by the hotel. Andrew had read it quickly but it was a challenging rather than an easy read. Andrew found it rather an unhappy book -
only the dead character seems to have a happy existence. Everyone else is low, unhappy or disatisfied in some way.
Andrew noted the lack of male characters and felt a bit excluded.
Andrew 03/06/01
Doreen had read this book in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. She found it a touching story. The first chapter had been unsettling rather than difficult.
Doreen thought the idea of a ghost revisiting its corpse spooky. The five female voices were all different and all interesting. Unlike another reviewer, Doreen did not find them depressing as she thought they would all come out alright in the end. Doreen was particularly struck by the reference to Tess of the D'Ubervilles and the fact that in all our lives there is one day a year which is the anniversary of our death, unbekownst to us.
A hopeful book - highly recommended.
Doreen 03/06/01
By the same author
The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.