In the High Peaks
















Thursday, July 11, 2013

Hotel du Lac and Anita Brookner

It's important to say that I'm only a chunk more than halfway through Hotel du Lac. I'm fascinated by it, particularly by Edith's immersion in the characters and lives of the people staying at the hotel on Lake Geneva. As a reader, I know she's been through a hard time, I feel quite intimately what's gone wrong with her paramour David, and I want to protect her. I'm worried about her, actually. I'm at the point where I hope Mr. Neville is not going to prove himself to be a disgraceful element. But I don't think so; not in the long run. I identify with  Edith wholeheartedly. How did Brookner accomplish that? I'm quite in awe of her literary powers at the moment. I wish the novel will go on and on; so, if I came to more than halfway so quickly, the reading most assuredly will not last.

That's my note for today. I hope you'll join us for the Anita Brookner Month of July. Please see my previous post for links!

Last evening I visited several college library databases and read several biographical and critical essays about Brookner. I was saddened when I read about her life. She's still alive, however! Born in 1928, which makes her the same generation as my mother. Surprising to realize that. Do investigate!

6 comments:

  1. Hotel du Lac is up next for me. I'l begin sometime this weekend, I hope...as soon as I finish The Woman Upstairs. Glad to know you are enjoying Brookner's writing.

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    1. JoAnn,
      I'll be interested to know what you think about Hotel du Lac. I've meant to read it for decades, it seems, and just haven't done it until now. Very glad I saw your post about the Anita Brookner Month at Heavenali.

      Enjoy your reading this weekend!
      Judith

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  2. I am glad you are enjoying Hotel Du Lac it was the novel which first introduced me to her work several years ago. I have just finished my second Brookner of the month and hope to sneak in a third later in the month.

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    1. Thank you for hosting the Anita Brookner Month, for I never would have learned what a precious book Hotel du Lac is!

      I wish I knew which Brookner to read next. I'll read your reviews and those of others to help me decide.

      Judith

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  3. I read it years ago ,but still have a copy so may reread it over the summer as it is a one day book ,all the best stu

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    1. Yes, Stu, it's a novel that does read quickly, yet the themes are so rich and complex. I hope you do read it again and write a post about it because I'd love to hear your thoughts!

      Judith

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