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The Hotel

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

57 posts | 16 read | 1 reading | 6 to read

In his introduction to a collection of criticism on the Anglo-Irish author Elizabeth Bowen, Harold Bloom wrote, �What then has Bowen given us except nuance, bittersweet and intelligent? Much, much more.� Born in 1899, Bowen became part of the famous Bloomsbury scene, and her novels have a much-deserved place in the modernist canon. In recent years, however, her work has not been as widely read or written about, and as Bloom points out, her evocative and sometimes enigmatic prose requires careful parsing. Yet in addition to providing a fertile ground for criticism, Bowen�s novels are both wonderfully entertaining, with rich humor, deep insight, and a tragic sense of human relationships. Bowen�s first novel, The Hotel, is a wonderful introduction to her disarming, perceptive style. Following a group of British tourists vacationing on the Italian Riviera during the 1920s, The Hotel explores the social and emotional relationships that develop among the well-heeled residents of the eponymous establishment. When the young Miss Sydney falls under the sway of an older woman, Mrs. Kerr, a sapphic affair simmers right below the surface of Bowen�s writing, creating a rich story that often relies as much on what is left unsaid as what is written on the page. Bowen depicts an intense interpersonal drama with wit and suspense, while playing with and pushing the English language to its boundaries.

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review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

#ReadAway2024

Read as a chapter-a-day with the #HashTagBrigade or I probably would have dropped this one. A group in the 1920s on holiday on the Italian Riviera sounds good in theory but this was really a bunch of annoying & unlikable people who mostly whined & talked around things. There was no fun on this trip! Luckily it‘s a short book & @BarkingMadRead is good with entertaining hashtags. 😉
Would I read more from this author? Maybe?🤷🏻‍♀️

tagged users icon

DieAReader, Andrew65, GHABI4ROSES

BarkingMadRead I‘ve heard that her other books are better, but I‘m scared 😱🤣 (edited) 2mo

DieAReader 🥳Great! 2mo

41 likes2 comments

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

Elizabeth Bowen‘s prose is exquisite. There are occasional sentences that are absolute perfection. Unfortunately, there were many more sentences (at least for me) that were absolutely cryptic. Even after rereading them more than once, I still had no clue what they meant. And the fact that I didn‘t like most of the characters in this book didn‘t help. ⬇️

julieclair I expected to love this book, thinking it would be similar to Anita Brookner‘s Hotel du Lac. Instead, it was just a disappointing “meh” for me. Of course reading with the #HashtagBrigade makes any book fun, but on my own this would have been a DNF. Thanks, as always, for doing a great job hosting @BarkingMadRead ! 2mo

BarkingMadRead It was definitely tough to get through at times! 2mo

rubyslippersreads For a book that I couldn‘t put down, set in a small hotel, I recommend

[tagged book]

2mo

See All 7 Comments

julieclair @rubyslippersreads Thanks for the recommendation. I have never heard of it and it looks great! Stacked! 2mo

julieclair @BarkingMadRead That‘s why it was so fun to read it together! 😆 2mo

mcctrish A #hashtagbrigade book is always ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but this was only great because of the company and universal confusion 🤣 too bad we aren‘t all rich like the characters and then we could have had it made into a movie 2mo

julieclair @mcctrish The universal confusion was so comforting! 😂 2mo

28 likes7 comments

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

Part of me loved the bits of humor in the book. Another part of me honestly had no clue what was going on sometimes—to be fair to the book, I was distracted a lot while reading, so may have missed info. I plan to read this again in the future to see what I may have missed. But, I leave this list feeling a bit let down. Oh well! #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade #192025 #1927

tagged users icon

rubyslippersreads I don‘t think I‘d reread this one, but I‘d definitely try more by the author. 2mo

Librarybelle @rubyslippersreads I‘d try another one of hers too, probably sooner than I would reread this one. 2mo

62 likes2 comments

review

currentlyreadinginCO

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

A pretty read with the #hashtagbrigade but not my favorite novel. It felt like a play with strange vignettes of an odd vacation.

56 likes1 stack add

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

Would have made a better movie! Where is Merchant Ivory when you need him? #hashtagbrigade makes every book awesome though

Bookwormjillk Agree 100% 2mo

32 likes1 comment

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 25: that‘s how it ended?!? #miltonandronnieleft #someladieswentforawalk #theend #theyalllivedeverafter #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

IndoorDame I agree, such a weird note to end on. But it totally fits in with the slightly quirky vibe of the book. The whole thing reminds me of the way you remember a vacation, but written as it‘s happening instead of looking back. 2mo

Bookwormjillk So weird. I was reading this morning that this was her first book and later ones are better. Maybe worth another try.

What a long strange trip it\'s been. Thanks @barkingmadread and #HashtagBrigade 2mo

See All 8 Comments

mcctrish I just finished the chapter and was startled to see it‘s the end, I said it out loud “oh, that‘s it?” Surely a weird way to end I agree @IndoorDame but I‘m happy to be done with this strange group of holidayers ( happy too that the final poke at Kerr happened ) 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO Same reaction 😂😂 2mo

willaful I spent the whole book wondering when we\'d find out what Miss Pym was upset about... 2mo

BarkingMadRead @willaful 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

peanutnine I did like that it called back to the very first chapter and the two ladies' quarrel 2mo

26 likes8 comments

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Pick

pick

I can see this is her first novel. It isn‘t polished like other things of hers I‘ve read, and you can see from these vignettes why it makes sense that she goes on to write novels, short stories and nonfiction, which is pretty unusual. There‘s plenty to criticize here, but I enjoyed it enough that I want to pick up another of her later novels. (& I definitely want to see the film version, which will be an instant cult classic 🙃😂) #hashtagbrigade

tagged users icon

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Meh

so-so

I‘m sure this book had very insightful thoughts about Society at the time, but despite the funny parts (the elevator 🤣 the bathtub 😂) it was not for me. I still think it would have made a great movie though. #hashtagbrigade

Thank you @BarkingMadRead for leading us. Bring on Dracula!

BarkingMadRead I cannot wait for Dracula! 🧛🏻‍♀️ 2mo

Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead 🧛‍♀️🧛🏽🧛‍♂️ 2mo

SamAnne I‘m looking forward to Dracula! 2mo

rubyslippersreads I have a feeling Dracula will be a teddy bear compared to Mrs. Kerr. 🤣 2mo

Bookwormjillk @rubyslippersreads if nothing else his motivations will be a lot easier to understand! 2mo

58 likes5 comments

review

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Pick

pick

Is there anything better than a pulp cover for literary fiction?

This is an “it's interesting pick“ rather than an “I really enjoyed it pick.“ It was sometimes funny and definitely inspired emotions, but much of it was either too much of its time or simply too clever for me to understand.

#HashtagBrigade

Ruthiella That cover! 😳 So misleading. 😂 2mo

Bookwormjillk Compelled to destroy? Really? Is that what this book was about? 🤪 2mo

julieclair I haven‘t finished yet, but so far I haven‘t run across any men I‘d describe as “powerful “. 🤨 2mo

See All 7 Comments

IndoorDame That is by far the best cover yet!!!!😂🤣 2mo

willaful @julieclair Imagine Victor! 😂 2mo

julieclair @willaful Oh right… Victor… 😂😵‍💫 2mo

quietjenn That cover is amazing. 2mo

33 likes7 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 24: everyone is leaving #kerrwantsronaldtotravelwithmilton #becausethatwouldhappen #theykindofhateeachother #sydneyreturnskerrsthings #shesspendingherlastnightwiththegirls #kerrisnothappy #sydneyfinallytellsheroff #kerrasksronnietofetchher #ronniesaysno 😂😂 #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Ruthiella I‘m not sure what Sydney said to Mrs. Kerr at the end. Did she mean that Mrs Kerr‘s behavior taught her what cruelty and unfairness was through her treatment of Mr. Milton and Sydney? (edited) 2mo

mcctrish @Ruthiella I don‘t understand what Sydney meant either ?! I mean we know Kerr was manipulating people but do the people know they were being manipulated? The words go round and round and I don‘t know what they are actually saying 2mo

See All 7 Comments

willaful @Ruthiella Yes, I\'m pretty sure that\'s what she meant. I suspect Kerr\'s nastiness about Milton brought it on. She was hoping to get Sydney to mock him with her.

@mcctrish Sydney definitely knows, and I think Milton may have too, even though they were still affected by it. 2mo

mcctrish @willaful you are right, Milton knew ( maybe couldn‘t believe it ) Kerr was being a meddler 2mo

Bookwormjillk This whole chapter was confusing but pretty sure they all told Kerr off. 2mo

julieclair Kerr appears to be feeling some remorse, but I think that‘s only because she‘s feeling sorry for herself now that Sydney has told her off. 2mo

38 likes7 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 23: did anyone else get final destination vibes from this #vignette ?!? #wesawitcoming #notthelogs #thebreakup #tessaplansadaytrip #whatcouldgowrong #iguessiputthecartbeforethehorssonthatone #sydneywishesforafatalaccident #becausethatsbetterthanbreakingup #obviously #thatligtruckalmostgaveherwhatshewishedfor #yikes #staytuned #almostthere #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Bookwormjillk That was dark 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO Definitely the darkest ch.! 2mo

See All 8 Comments

willaful I was expecting something horrible. I guess Sydney was too.

Kerr continues to be the effing worst. She deliberately tantalized Sydney and then tried to lure her back. Sydney went to a dark place but I\'m glad she has learned better now. Only two chapters left, perhaps she\'s safe? 😬 2mo

mcctrish Kerr is the worst @willaful and if the worst thing that happens is Sydney sees the light of her rushed marriage almost colliding with a logging truck #couldbeworse 2mo

willaful @mcctrish Yes, I think it was the right decision. But I hate the thought of Kerr feeling like she won. 🤬 2mo

peanutnine Calling it off was the right decision but I do feel bad for Milton. He seems like collateral damage in the whole affair 2mo

julieclair Sydney is a hot mess. Calling off the engagement is definitely the right idea. @peanutnine I agree about Milton… I feel very sorry for him. 2mo

37 likes1 stack add8 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 22: uh oh…… #aretheygettingcoldfeet #sydneymailedherletters #miltondidnot #iwouldhavethoughtitwouldbethereverse #staytuned #almostthere #vignettes #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

willaful Kerr did real damage. Will Milton back out? Should he?

I found this a very menacing chapter, somehow. I kept expecting something dramatically horrible to happen. Instead it\'s low key horrible. 2mo

BarkingMadRead @willaful I for sure kept waiting for one of them to bail, I was shocked that they didn‘t! 2mo

See All 6 Comments

Ruthiella I can‘t imagine marrying someone knowing so little about them. 🫣 2mo

mcctrish They barely know each other and they sound crazed #whatcouldgowrong 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Ruthiella exactly 2mo

33 likes6 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

What‘s the best way to guarantee your human interrupts reading time to give you the pets and attention you obviously deserve? Attack bookmark. Capture bookmark. Bite bookmark several times to make sure it doesn‘t run away again. Human is sure to be paying attention to you by this time to see if bookmark can be saved.

Jari-chan Cats instinctively know how to get the most attention with the least effort and the most fun for themselves 😼 2mo

IndoorDame @Jari-chan they‘re tiny geniuses! 😹 2mo

kspenmoll 😸😂 2mo

dabbe 😂🖤🐾🖤😂 2mo

IndoorDame @dabbe @kspenmoll 💜😹😽 2mo

61 likes5 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

The best kindle rest around.

kspenmoll 😀😂😻 2mo

wanderinglynn 😻❤️ 2mo

Leftcoastzen Awwww!😻👏 2mo

See All 10 Comments

PuddleJumper Aww 😻😻 2mo

Ruthiella 😻😻😻 2mo

AnnCrystal 💕😻💝. 2mo

gossamerchild All the best cats are :-D What a lovely kitty! 2mo

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo

rubyslippersreads I‘m glad to see someone else needs a large Kindle font size. 😃 2mo

Bookwormjillk @rubyslippersreads much easier than trying to remember where I left my glasses! 2mo

71 likes10 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 21: so many words to say that Ronnie came upon Sydney outdoors 🤷🏻‍♀️ #usent #howisthatevenaword #igoogledit #itexists #ronnieseemsalittlejealous #issydneytiredofmiltonalready ⁉️#staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

willaful Sydney actually seems more genuinely interested in Milton now, to me. Which is a shame because I suspect Kerr broke something in him. 2mo

See All 9 Comments

Bookwormjillk I was worried Rodney would hurt someone throwing rocks but like everything else nothing actually happened. 2mo

willaful @Bookwormjillk I\'m still worried! Milton hasn\'t arrived yet. 2mo

mcctrish @willaful I‘m afraid of that too and now Sydney might be disheartened by his no show which Kerr will aid and abet 2mo

willaful @mcctrish So you\'re pro marriage? I\'m unsure. 2mo

mcctrish @willaful I‘d rather they weren‘t talked out of it by circuituous rambling dialogue and came to any decisions on their own 2mo

willaful @mcctrish Well put! 2mo

35 likes1 stack add9 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 20: this was the most bizarre conversation yet #whowins #whoknows 🤷🏻‍♀️ #kerrdoesntlikelosing #miltonisclueless #kerrisjealous #thiscantpossiblyendwell #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

DebinHawaii I‘ve kept up with the reading but not so much on the posts so I don‘t know if it‘s been said already but #allofthesecharactersannoythehelloutofme and #idontwanttoholidayinitalywithanyofthesepeople That is all! 😂 2mo

Ruthiella I wonder really who‘s companionship Sydney desires more? I think probably Mrs. Kerr, if she‘s honest. I also can‘t see her as a pastor‘s wife. 2mo

See All 14 Comments

BarkingMadRead @DebinHawaii 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

mcctrish I honestly need to read this book just before you post because if I spread out my reading to far from our chatting all I remember is being confused! Kerr speaks in switchback, she says one thing, Milton in this case responds, she replies in opposite half the time and then goes off on a tangent. This is no holiday @DebinHawaii it‘s Hell! 2mo

IndoorDame I felt like this conversation went way over my head. All I got was that it was all in snarky coded language about who knew Sydney best. 2mo

willaful This chapter infuriated me. Milton starts out knowing quite well that Kerr is *injurious.* Yet she is so good at manipulation, she still manages to fill him with doubt. I\'m not sure they should actually get married, but I think the relationship with someone who actually cares about her could be valuable to Sydney, unless Kerr has managed to ruin it.

Ronald continues to toss off supposedly witty epigrams as if on his deathbed. (edited) 2mo

willaful @IndoorDame I\'ve felt this way through most of the book! 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO ya I'm just enjoying the vibes at this point 2mo

Bookwormjillk @mcctrish so true 2mo

mcctrish @IndoorDame is it Kerr code or is it upper crust code ? Or is Kerr speaking her own regional dialect of posh? 2mo

rubyslippersreads @DebinHawaii That‘s exactly how I feel. 2mo

rubyslippersreads @mcctrish @DebinHawaii I wonder if The Hotel is actually purgatory? 😏 2mo

mcctrish @rubyslippersreads that makes sense 2mo

34 likes14 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 19: the colonel drives me nuts #butfirst #veronicasdadwontlethermarryvictor #whoapparentlyisworkinginhisdadbod #thecolonelhangswiththegirls #hispoorwife #ronniewalksoffwitheileen #bizarrechapter #vignettes #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Cuilin It‘s vignette after vignette with this novel. I still demand a movie. (edited) 2mo

Ruthiella Oh, I rather like Colonel Duperrier. He strikes me as a sad, wistful figure. I think he see the Lawrence girls as the daughters he never had, nothing more sinister than that…🤔 (edited) 2mo

See All 12 Comments

BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella that‘s definitely possible, I‘m pretty cynical 🤣 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Cuilin agree. Dare I say it- might be better than the book. 2mo

Bookwormjillk I love the random judgemental quotes though. Two days ago it was middle class words, yesterday it was mustaches, and today it was the sinister yellow glasses. I don\'t always remember all the characters or understand what is going on, but there\'s usually something that makes me laugh. 2mo

IndoorDame @Cuilin YES! Where is our movie 🎥 🍿???? This would make the best movie night ever! 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

willaful Ronald seems to want to be Oscar Wilde. 2mo

mcctrish @Ruthiella I think that‘s what it is, initially it came across as much more sinister probably because of his wife‘s hysterics stomping out of the room 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO Agreed @Bookwormjillk 2mo

rubyslippersreads @mcctrish @Ruthiella I don‘t know; he seems a little more fond of Joan than a father would be. 😏 2mo

mcctrish @rubyslippersreads #creepyunclevibes 2mo

29 likes12 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

I‘ve fallen behind on my reading of this one. Cedric says after an appropriate amount of time spent kneading humans it might be permissible to return to drinking tea and reading my missed chapters.
#morningvibes #humansdonthaveenoughtinyclawsinthem #hashtagbrigade

Cuilin Cedric, you so handsome!! Looking forward to your thoughts on some of these chapters. 2mo

PuddleJumper 😻😻 2mo

Ruthiella So generous of Cedric to allow that! 😹😻 2mo

See All 8 Comments

IndoorDame @Ruthiella he can be magnanimous on occasion 😸🫶 2mo

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🐾 2mo

IndoorDame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @dabbe @PuddleJumper ❤️😽 2mo

IndoorDame @Cuilin thank you! Cedric loves compliments (as all vain kitties do) 😽🫶😽 2mo

58 likes8 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 18: apparently knitting socks makes people avoid you 🤷🏻‍♀️ #illhavetorememberthat #miltontriedtowritesomeletters #sydneyshowsupwithherjewels #miltonisnotinterested #sydneyseekshimoutagain #sheaskshimthistime 💍 #imhappyandsadforhimallatonce #thiscantendwell #mrsdoublenameisacreeper #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Cuilin The image of Mrs LM sitting on the newspaper 🤦‍♀️ is it me or is her relationship with her husband just a bit strange? 2mo

BarkingMadRead @Cuilin it‘s straight crazy 2mo

See All 10 Comments

Ruthiella @Cuilin Mrs LM‘s energy is 100% focused on making sure her husband gets what he wants. Like he is her job. 2mo

Cuilin @Ruthiella Paris Paloma‘s “labour” comes to mind. 2mo

willaful Well damn, that\'s one of the stupid things I was hoping Sydney wouldn\'t do... 2mo

mcctrish What happens when Mr LM doesn‘t get things his way? Cuz I‘d like to see that shit storm go down! I think heels are an excuse to not talk to people as opposed to putting off people from talking to you AND I‘d like to know why, if you think people are all so wrong, you go somewhere where all these people might be? Oh right, cuz your husband is a pervy creepasaur 2mo

Bookwormjillk Happy and sad all at once is a good way to put it. 2mo

IndoorDame Every time Mrs. LM shows up in a scene I become more frightened of Mr. LM even if he‘s not there. 2mo

rubyslippersreads How did Mrs. LM extract the newspaper and give it to Mr. LM without anyone noticing? 2mo

34 likes10 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

#WeirdWordWednesday @CBee

Both of these words were in the same paragraph in chapter 14 of the tagged book we‘re reading with #ThehashtagBrigade. I think they‘re both of German origin.

BarkingMadRead It was a lot, that‘s for sure! 2mo

julesG Yes, both German. Schwärmerei is still used. Can also be used for concepts - like classical music or pastries. Backfisch is used, but for "fish&chips" kind of fish, not teenage girls 2mo

Cuilin @julesG thank you 😊 interesting they‘re both still used and have evolved. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Cuilin @BarkingMadRead right?? That whole mother son conversation was bizarre!! 2mo

CBee Thanks for sharing! I can tag you ongoing if you‘d like! @Cuilin 2mo

Cuilin @CBee Yes please, reminders are always appreciated. 🙏 2mo

CBee @Cuilin sure thing ♥️ 2mo

41 likes7 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 17: apparently it‘s Sydney‘s fault that she and Ronnie aren‘t hitting it off #kerrdrivesmenuts #ronnieisawetnoodle #ittakestwototango #justgivemethepastries #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

mcctrish Kerr is mental 2mo

Bookwormjillk Kerr lost me when she complained about the pastries. #ShutUpKerr Also intrude is such a middle class word. Glad someone finally said that out loud #huh? 2mo

See All 10 Comments

CatLass007 OMG, I‘m gaining weight just looking at this picture! 2mo

Ruthiella I think Mrs. Kerr is manipulative. 2mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk What is a middle class word???? 2mo

willaful I feel like finally things came to a head in this chapter. Sydney now knows Kerr was using her/leading her on. I hope she won't do something stupid now. 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Cuilin I have no idea 🤣 2mo

IndoorDame I keep revising my opinion on which chapter gets the award for #strangestchapterever 🏆 2mo

rubyslippersreads @IndoorDame Also which gets the award for #dreariestchapter. This sounds like the worst vacation ever for everyone involved. 2mo

39 likes10 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

#WhereareyouMonday

This Monday finds me back on the 🇮🇹 Italian Riviera the 1920s at a resort hotel populated mainly by English tourists. As I roam the grounds, I can see many of my read-along companions from the #HashtagBrigade

tagged users icon

BarbaraBB Great post & place to be! 2mo

rubyslippersreads I love that cover! 2mo

64 likes2 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 16: visiting the villa #whererussiansobviouslythinkinenglish 🙄 #ronniegoesoffwithfitzgerald 🤔 #miltondoesnotlikehimatall #ronnieisntafanofsydney #andaroundandaroundwego #thattankscenethough #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

mcctrish #ronaldhadhopednothing 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

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Cuilin It‘s giving 1920s “White Lotus” vibes 2mo

Bookwormjillk Maybe it‘s just my actual fever but this chapter kind of read like a fever dream 2mo

willaful I can't seem to understand any conversation involving Ronald. 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO Caught up! And I'm getting the same vibe @Cuilin 2mo

currentlyreadinginCO Omg yes with the noise vibrations and Corinthian columns down the winding lane @Bookwormjillk 2mo

Cuilin @willaful All of Ronald‘s conversation is willfully obtuse. 🧐 2mo

IndoorDame @Bookwormjillk it does have a fever dream kind of vibe, but that seems pretty appropriate for an aimless extended vacation 2mo

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quote

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

“Does it seem to you,“ she said weightily, “that this world is entirely divided into rather stupid men and very silly women? And that the stupid are all one will ever have to hope for and that the silly are all one can ever become?“

Sydney, thoughtful over this, was certain that there must be other variations.

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 15: Veronica giving off Lucy Steele vibes #veronicainvadessydney #everyonefeelssorryforsydney #kerrgaveherthegoby #VIssecretlyengaged #fornow 🤷🏻‍♀️ #vthinksmiltonwillproposetoS #ifsheonlyknew #somuchunrequitedlove #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

mcctrish I honestly feel dizzy after that chapter but my favourite part is “the slight sense of degeneracy induced by reading novels before luncheon” and I wish Veronica Godspeed #dontletthedoorhityouonthewayout 2mo

Bookwormjillk @mcctrish that was my favorite part too! 2mo

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Bookwormjillk V seems like the type that can only feel good about herself by making others feel bad. 2mo

willaful I found this an absolutely fascinating chapter. Veronica is asking Sydney to help her accept what she thinks is her inevitable dreary lot in life, but refusing to see whenever Sydney suggests to her that it's not and that she has choices. And *she* feels sorry for Sydney! Sydney is in for a world of hurt, most likely, but she has the better chance of actually achieving happiness in her life. 2mo

BarkingMadRead @willaful 💯 2mo

peanutnine "She did not mind Veronica coming in but wished she did not have to talk to her." #relatable 2mo

BarkingMadRead @peanutnine 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

31 likes8 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 14: the one where Kerr compares Ronnie to white tiles 🤣 #bizarrechapter #blinddancinggirl #ronnieisuncomfy #sydneyandkerrgettingavillatogether #onlynotreally #ronnieandkerrarebizarretogether #mybeautiful #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Ruthiella I‘m beginning to understand why Ronnie and his mother didn‘t spend much time together previously…😳 2mo

willaful Anyone else completely baffled by this chapter? It's like it was written in French. 2mo

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Bookwormjillk Yeah really weird 2mo

Cuilin @willaful it‘s such a bizarre mother and son conversation. 2mo

Cuilin @Ruthiella or this is the result of not spending time together. They can‘t communicate effectively. 2mo

mcctrish @willaful I had to go back and skim this chapter this morning because nothing stayed in my brain at all other than Kerr fell asleep 2mo

Ruthiella @Cuilin Right! We don‘t anything about how they interacted previously. Was Ronald raised by nurses, governesses, boarding schools , other relatives? 2mo

Ruthiella @willaful I‘ve only otherwise read The Death of the Heart by Bowen, but the writing in it was occasionally very hard for me to parse. I‘ve encountered lots of sentences in The Hotel that I‘ve had to read multiple times. 2mo

willaful @Ruthiella I'm not the best at this type of prose. 2mo

rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @willaful I‘m glad I‘m not the only one. 2mo

julieclair @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @willaful I‘m struggling with it, too. Plus I‘m behind. 😩 2mo

rubyslippersreads @julieclair @Ruthiella @willaful I finally just pulled off the bandaid and finished it. 😏 2mo

Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads Well done! 👏👏👏 2mo

julieclair @rubyslippersreads You are my hero! 🏆 2mo

35 likes15 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 13: better late than never! #sydneyandcordeliavisitacemetary #cordeliacracksmeup #sheknowsallthethings #sydneystartsthinkingaboutmilton #hmmmm #maybemyfavoriteconversationsofar #horridlittleghoul 🤣 #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Ruthiella Yes, Cordelia is a breath of fresh air. 2mo

Bookwormjillk Cordelia is the best. But doesn‘t he like dates? 2mo

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willaful I honestly don't know what I'm hoping for here! 2mo

mcctrish @willaful me either 2mo

Cuilin I don‘t know what it says about their society when it‘s the 11-year-old who has the best conversation that makes the most sense. 2mo

willaful @Cuilin Hmmm.... 2mo

rubyslippersreads @Bookwormjillk Apparently he wants to skip the dates and go directly to the marriage proposal. 🤣 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Yall, I‘m so sorry, I have a friend visiting this weekend and I didn‘t get to today‘s chapter! I will try and catch up later tonight or tomorrow and will post as soon as I catch up! #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

TheBookHippie My book just arrived 😵‍💫😂🤪😅 2mo

Ruthiella No problem! 😉 We have extra time with this one this month! 2mo

Bookwormjillk No worries! 2mo

Cuilin 👍 enjoy your time with your friend. 2mo

43 likes5 comments

quote

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

“Don't you know any people? Do you like them so much?“ Cordelia inquired. “How funny! I only like people in books who only exist when they matter.“

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 12: dear Mrs Kerr, this is a cute puppy #imjustsaying #miltonaskssydneytowalk#cordeliainvitesherselfalong #miltonisunthrilled #hesendscordeliafordates #andthenheproposes 💍 #thatendedwell 🙄 #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

IndoorDame That is a cute puppy! 🐶 2mo

Cuilin The tagging worked!!! As for that proposal, I was reminded of a certain Lizzy and Mr Collins. Also I like Cordelia, she may be my favorite. lol. 2mo

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mcctrish That puppy is cute, referring to The Ronald #theronald as one is just weird, even Sydney thinks so! Poor Milton, he‘s as awkward as the day is long and Sydney just dismisses him #thatsahardno 2mo

Ruthiella I don‘t think that Ronald is that cute! He seems to be like a bit of a snot. Maybe only child issues? 2mo

Bookwormjillk @Cuilin he really is Mr Collins! Also #savecordelia 2mo

willaful Sydney actually thought of the correlation between herself and Cordelia! Definitely authorial purpose. 2mo

35 likes7 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 11: a gala #ronniehasarrived #mrskerrcantbefound #thecolonelisacheatingcheaterwhocheats #poormrsD #doublenamebringsronnietohismom #whydoifeellikemiltonknowshim #speakingofmilton #heblowsoffeileen #hesinlovewithsydney #stalker 👀 #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Bookwormjillk This chapter felt like it was there to set up the next chapter 2mo

mcctrish @Bookwormjillk truly. I did enjoy the banter between Milton and Eileen but now the he realizes he loves Sidney he‘s probably just going to mope. What is with the Colonel and LM ? Creepy lecherous old men in front of their wives 🤮 2mo

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Cuilin “Eileen Lawrence, who, disconcerted at finding herself without a partner, was advancing towards him with the undulation of a Spanish dancer.” Bowen‘s writing is amazing. (edited) 2mo

Cuilin I see my name is tagged, but for some reason, I‘m not getting a notification. 2mo

BarkingMadRead @Cuilin that‘s so weird! I wonder if the app is glitching 2mo

Cuilin @BarkingMadRead 🤷‍♀️ yeah I agree it‘s weird. 2mo

Ruthiella I‘m not getting notifications either. 🤨 Is Colonel Duperrier cheating? Or is he just out of sight and Mrs. D overreacted. There‘ve been a lot of hints that something‘s not right with her… 2mo

willaful @Cuilin I can't tell if I'm still being tagged but I haven't gotten them in awhile. :-( 2mo

BarkingMadRead Oh no! @willaful I‘ve been tagging everybody every day, I don‘t know why you aren‘t being notified! 2mo

39 likes10 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 10: love the Austen reference #idontthinksydneywouldliketobecomparedtocharlotte #anyway #miltonlikessydney ⁉️#heseemsintriguedwithronnie #interesting #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Ruthiella I also dug that reference. How appropriate since this group is an offshoot of that original #Pemberlittens Jane Austen group read. 😃👍 2mo

BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella I legit squealed! 2mo

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Librarybelle The reference was a delightful surprise! 2mo

Bookwormjillk That reference was the highlight of my day. 2mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk mine too!!!! 2mo

rubyslippersreads At least Milton recognizes that he‘s Mr. Collins and not Mr. Darcy. 😆 2mo

36 likes1 stack add7 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 9: Cordelia though 🤣 #sydneybuyscarnationsforkerr #kerrisexcitedthatronnieiscoming #thisconfusessydney #ronniehasaguardian #thatsinteresting #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

Ruthiella Sydney seems a little tone deaf in that she didn‘t think a mother would be excited to have her son visit her? Or is this a class thing? 2mo

mcctrish @Ruthiella Kerr does say she and Ronald are never together so maybe Sydney thought that‘s partially by choice. Does Ronald have a guardian because he has no father? And Kerr has no say in what he does or where he goes ? 🤯 (edited) 2mo

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Bookwormjillk The Cordelia thing was too funny. Seems like there‘s a story with Syd and Ron. Can‘t wait to read more. 2mo

willaful @Bookwormjillk I wondered if maybe it was intended to mirror Sydney and Mrs. Kerr, with the younger desperately wanting something from the older. Though Kerr does seem to indulge Sydney a fair bit.

I was fascinated by how put off Sydney was. She so infatuated with who she thinks Mrs. Kerr is, she doesn't want to see anything that doesn't fit her image. It's so boringly conventional for a mother to be interested in their own child! 2mo

IndoorDame @mcctrish Ronald is 20 though, right? So she wouldn‘t really have that kind of control over him even without a guardian. Perhaps the guardian is a financial thing? The executor of his trust or something like that? 2mo

mcctrish @IndoorDame true enough age-wise 2mo

rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella Or is Sydney a little jealous, because she‘s had Mrs. Kerr all to herself? 2mo

Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads I think you are on to it! Also, I have to remember that Sydney is only 22… 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 8: pick a little talk a little #theseladiesaretheworst #talkingtrashaboutsydneyandkerr #tessdoesntdefendher #syndneycomesinforastamp #thoseladieshavenoshame #sydneyhadthelastword #staytuned #vignettes #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

IndoorDame So nosy! They just kept fishing until they got Sydney to admit she was with Mrs. Kerr, as if that proved something 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo

rubyslippersreads I‘m behind, but this makes me want to catch up. #cheepcheepcheep 2mo

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Ruthiella I‘m finally caught up! Who are these ladies who can‘t stay at home and don‘t know what to do with themselves? (edited) 2mo

Cuilin They really can‘t stand the thought of a truly independent woman. They all spend their time doing something even though they admit it‘s not useful. Mrs. Kerr does nothing but seems happy. 2mo

peanutnine I love that Sydney got the last word! She's not ashamed of spending time with Mrs. Kerr, even though it gives these ladies ammunition for gossip 2mo

mcctrish I love Mrs Kerr now, she sits in the sun just to sit in the sun ☀️ 👏🏻👏🏻 I do wish she‘d read though 2mo

rubyslippersreads I would go insane, sitting with those old biddies and gossiping. If you have a lovely balcony with a view, why wouldn‘t you take advantage of it? 2mo

rubyslippersreads @mcctrish I thought that too. Sitting outside and reading is so delightful, I‘d be doing more of that than most of the activities the characters engage in. 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 7: when the elevator breaks down… #andofcourseitsraining #obviouslycantusethestairs 🙄 #trappedonthefirstfloortogether #whatswithalltheseoldermenflirtingwithyoungerwomen #MrDlikesJoan #shesobsessedwithvictor #somanyawkwardpeople #thepastorlikesjoantooapparently #drama #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 2mo

BarkingMadRead Ps #whydoeseveryonlikevictor #whereeastheelevatoroperator #conjugalvisits ? #hesnotinjail #doyourjob 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo

IndoorDame For real? They just refuse to go upstairs? 😂 I‘m pretty sure this is a 3 story building, no? I mean if you‘re staying above the 10th floor I start to see sitting around waiting for the elevator to get fixed, but these women are able to walk so they can walk up 2 flights of stairs. 2mo

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BarkingMadRead @IndoorDame right? Like walking up is some great expedition they may never return from 🤣 2mo

IndoorDame @BarkingMadRead yes, like an expedition, I love it! This book is its comic gold! I‘m totally still picturing the movie getting made 🤣 2mo

Bookwormjillk This book is too funny. My favorite was the woman who traveled to a foreign country and complained that there were foreigners there. 2mo

BarkingMadRead @bookwormjillk right?!? Who did she think she would see? 🤣🤣🙄🙄🤣🤣 2mo

willaful I loved this chapter. Nothing happens, but everything happens! It's so evocative about peoples very weird feelings. 😁 2mo

mcctrish @Bookwormjillk she reminded me of my in laws who always complain when they travel that there are too many tourists 🙄 2mo

mcctrish @willaful as I read it it felt like mayhem was happening and yet nothing really was, beyond people having a sit in to protest a broken elevator ( that the kids broke ) 2mo

Bookwormjillk @mcctrish yes 🤣🤣🤣 2mo

willaful @mcctrish The social constraints were on the verge of snapping! A lady walked up the stairs! A gentleman ventured into thedrawing room to retrieve a pen! This could lead to dancing! 2mo

mcctrish @willaful 😱 2mo

30 likes13 comments

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

#HashtagBrigade
#Pemberlittens

My copy finally arrived! I did read the first chapter on Hoopla, but I dislike reading on my phone. Now to catch up! 😃

tagged users icon

BarkingMadRead Woohoo!! I don‘t know if we‘ve seen this cover yet! 3mo

Ruthiella @BarkingMadRead I don‘t think we have! 3mo

willaful I'm the same, so wish there was a way to get hoopla books onto an ereader! 2mo

Ruthiella @willaful IKR? I can also use my tablet, but that‘s also unwieldy. 2mo

willaful @Ruthiella yeah! I have a terrible old kindle fire, which is only marginally an improvement. 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

This post contains spoilers

Ch 6: 💋#victorshowsup #veronicasaidshedoesntlikehim #nobodylikeshim #wellmaybesomeonedoes #poordoublename #triestotellastory #hardlyanyoneislistening #victorcrashestheparty #veronicagoesoffwithhim #towashherhands #isthatwewecallitthesedays 💋💋💋 #somehowmiltonisthebadguy 🤷🏻‍♀️ #picnicfail #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 3mo

BarkingMadRead Somehow I‘m a chapter ahead! So so sorry! 3mo

willaful Oh phew, I thought I'd fallen behind somehow! 3mo

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BarkingMadRead @willaful sorry! #isuck 3mo

willaful @BarkingMadRead Oh tish! #youreawesome 3mo

Cuilin Ok what is with the L-M‘s? It‘s like they wanted to bring a group up the mountain just so that he would have an audience for his story. Why is she afraid for him not to be happy? The kiss also disturbed them all. 2mo

mcctrish @Cuilin I don‘t get it either! Is Mrs L-M more or less bizarre than her husband who makes animal noises to impress young women because she orchestrated settings so he can perform?! Also Veronica is quite mercurial with her affections! I imagine Hotel Portofino when I read this but then everyone is acting bizarrely so it wrecks my vibe 😆 2mo

IndoorDame The L-M‘s are both giving me the creeps. I might be running off to #washmyhands with the first person who came along just to get away from them for a while. But if the kiss was so scandalous I can‘t figure out why Victor took her that far off but not actually out of sight of the group? 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 5: picnic time #whatamotleycrew #lovetriangle #mrskerrleftsydneybehind #miltonthinksheknowsher #shesaysnope #notmuchhappened #alotofnamesthrownaround #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 3mo

Bookwormjillk This should be a movie 3mo

mcctrish Can we talk about Mr Lee-Mittison? He likes young single women, not young marrieds or widows ( rather sad those ones) and he likes to entertain making animal noises. #cringe 3mo

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BarkingMadRead @mcctrish so so cringe 3mo

IndoorDame @mcctrish and his wife is just thrilled that he‘s so “popular” 😬 3mo

mcctrish @IndoorDame they are soooo weird 3mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk I suggest we start a campaign 3mo

Bookwormjillk @Cuilin yes who should we talk to? 3mo

Cuilin @Bookwormjillk Merchant Ivory? 😉 3mo

julieclair That photo! Perfect! 3mo

rubyslippersreads Yes, Mr. & Mrs. L-M are very strange. He‘s a creeper, and she‘s his enabler. 😏 2mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

A friend gifted me a ridiculous amount of hostas so my day of leisure reading blew up in my face as I wrangled 14 of the 17 into spots in my front yard. I was hot and filthy so I took my #hashtagbrigade reading to the tub and reset myself to rights

willaful Hope you had a nice loofah! 😁 3mo

mcctrish @willaful I need to buy me a loofa 3mo

julieclair I hope you didn‘t leave a dark ring around the tub. Or move the Shetlands. 3mo

mcctrish @julieclair it‘s was actually funny, none of the dirt came off in the tub 😆 I wiped it all off with my towel which became a disaster and easier to clean 3mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 4: ok, this was fun 🛁 #thepinkertonladiesandtheirprivatebath #enteracluelessman #bathtime #canyouimaginetheringaroundthattub #ohthehorror #iwonderhowmiltonknowssydney #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 3mo

Cuilin I want a movie made of this book just for that scene alone. Hilarious. I get Rev Eager vibes from a Room with a View. 3mo

mcctrish HE USED THE LOOFA!!! #splishsplashiwastakingabath 3mo

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mcctrish @Cuilin I was totaly thinking how did Merchant Ivory not make this into a film?! 3mo

IndoorDame @Cuilin @mcctrish yes!!! I totally want to watch this scene in a movie version! It would become a priceless cult classic! 3mo

Bookwormjillk Amazing. Maybe my favorite chapter of the year. I don‘t think this can be topped. 3mo

peanutnine @mcctrish 🤣🤣🤣 so perfect! This chapter was a hoot! 3mo

julieclair This chapter was hysterical! Four chapters in, and Elizabeth Bowen has catapulted to my list of best authors of all time. And yes, @mcctrish and @Cuilin , Merchant Ivory dropped the ball… they NEEDED to make a film version! 3mo

Cuilin @julieclair @mcctrish @IndoorDame Surely there is someone we can write to due to this glaring oversight. We need a movie!! 🎥 🍿 3mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

#weirdwords #weirdwordwednesday @CBee

I love incredibly specific color words, and ones that are fun to say. I was definitely able to picture viridescent silk when it came up in a scene, but I looked it up anyway and was so fascinated to learn that part of the nature of viridescence is something becoming green. I can‘t think of another color word quite like that.

CBee I love color words too! Thanks for posting 😊 3mo

36 likes1 comment

blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 3: anemones #shortchapter #tessaisadelight 🤣 #determinedtobeill #andalsotodiet #butalsonottobotheranyone #peoplewatchingatlunch #mrdoublenameisahoot #noclueatall #mrskerrmakesagrandentrance #pymisasadcreature #thatquarrelisintriguing #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead I‘m traveling this week (again!) to Disneyland! I‘m going to read ahead in the airport but my posts may be weirdly timed depending on the plans for the day 🤣 3mo

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @Tineke 3mo

Cuilin I do love the people watching. Everyone is so self-conscious. 3mo

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Bookwormjillk The people watching is fun. And the overthinking about omelets. 3mo

mcctrish @Bookwormjillk so much omelette angst 3mo

julieclair Poor Miss Pym arrived late and lost her chance at an omelette. She had to eat macaroni from the staff lunch. Such a shame. 😂 I wonder what Mrs. Kerr will have to eat - she arrived even later than Pym! 😬 3mo

julieclair @BarkingMadRead Have a blast at Disney! 3mo

BarkingMadRead @julieclair thank you!! 3mo

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blurb

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Getting a slightly belated start on this #hashtagbrigade selection, but excited to read another Bowen.

Cuilin The Hotel is a reread. What else have you read? I have stack not yet read. I loved

[tagged book]

The House In Paris

3mo

quietjenn Oh, that sounds good! I've read the tagged and a handful of short stories.

[tagged book]

The Last September

3mo

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The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Went to the Labor Day 20% off BYOBag sale at the craft store for envelopes, stickers & stuff for fall.

Now at the coffeeshop for a dirty chai latte with oatmilk & and pump of coconut syrup & lemon poppyseed cake. Finshed today‘s chapter of the tagged book for #HashTagBrigade & a goal to finish my final 5 #LitsyLove responses.

A mellow Labor Day before a busy week including Hilo tomorrow.

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BarkingMadRead 😍😍😍 3mo

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The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 2: what is it about Mrs Kerr? #sydneycantplaywhileshewatches #herpoorpartner #offtothelibrary #kerrwantsydneytipickabookforher #shewontreaditthough 🤷🏻‍♀️ #kerrhasason #thatlibraryscenewasabitpretentious #readthatflufftessa #staytuned #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @indoordame @bookwormjillk @librarybelle @graciouswarriorprincess @mcctrish @ruthiella @cuilin @jewright @julieclair @quietjenn @thebookhippie @currentlyreadinginco @rubyslippersreads @deblovestoread @dabbe @catlass007 @willaful @debinhawaii @peanutnine @tineke 3mo

mcctrish What is meant by ‘pussies‘? Is this the beginning of Mean Girls? #youcantsitwithus 3mo

BarkingMadRead @mcctrish I‘m not sure, but it definitely gave out mean girl vibes 3mo

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Cuilin So far it‘s all pretentious vignettes. Mrs. Kerr is certainly interesting. 3mo

Cuilin @mcctrish I think it just means coward. Not living life to the fullest. 3mo

IndoorDame Mrs. Kerr is definitely interesting, but so far all three of the Misses seem pretty neurotic 3mo

BarkingMadRead @mcctrish @Cuilin I consulted the Google and that seems to be it 3mo

mcctrish Thank goodness for the Google 👏🏻👏🏻😆 and yes @IndoorDame Mrs Kerr seems to hold some kind of power over all and the Misses seem lacking independent thought 3mo

mcctrish @Cuilin I‘m not sure I‘m up for a book that has women tearing each other down 3mo

Cuilin @mcctrish I want to avoid spoilers so I‘m not going to say too much but I would not summarize this book by describing it as women tearing women down. It‘s definitely about a privilege set of people post World War I. Quick review. Spoiler Alert ‼️ https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/the-hotel-by-elizabeth-bowen/ 3mo

willaful @mcctrish I've run into it a lot in Agatha Christie... Miss Marple was an old pussie. It means old, out of date, unimportant... so they think. 3mo

mcctrish @Cuilin I won‘t read the spoilers and if you say that the book won‘t be that way, just privileged people being privileged then on we go 3mo

mcctrish @willaful I will probably see it everywhere now 🤷🏻‍♀️😆 3mo

Bookwormjillk I‘m not sure what it is this book but I‘ve read two chapters and nothing is sticking in my head except people were playing tennis and now they‘re going to the library. 3mo

tpixie Well despite the controversy ( I‘m not reading the book) I love the paper doll - like display of fashion!! 👗 3mo

julieclair Mrs. Kerr fascinates me. I hope we learn her story… I‘ll be disappointed if she just remains a mysterious, magnetic woman throughout the book. 3mo

rubyslippersreads @mcctrish I think it may mean old ladies. Definitely mean girl vibes. 2mo

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The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

Ch 1: we meet the characters #well #someofthecharacters #pymisashylittlething #mrskerrisinteresting #pymsreactiontobeingseenwithkerr #shouldgetinterestingquickly #shortbook #hooray #hashtagbrigade
Be sure and tag me in your post if you make one, you know i love seeing the different colors! Anyone can join in, just know that my hashtags are often ridiculous and always chapter spoilers
Via
@barkingmadread

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The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

A lovely slightly early #hyggehour saw me curled up on clean sheets cracking the cover of some of my brand new September reads starting with this month‘s #hashtagbrigade selection.

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BarkingMadRead, TheBookHippie, jenniferw88, Chrissyreadit, AllDebooks

BarkingMadRead That‘s a great cover!! The first I‘ve seen! 3mo

JamieArc Sounds lovely! 3mo

IndoorDame @BarkingMadRead I love it too! used books can be such exciting finds that way! 3mo

TheBookHippie My book should arrive Tuesday ! I‘m excited for this one! 3mo

IndoorDame @TheBookHippie I liked chapter 1 and I‘ve loved other things of hers Ive read so I‘m excited too! 3mo

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The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

#bookspin #doublespin For anyone who hasn‘t peeked at the numbers yet we‘ll say that on my list number hot cocoa was a book from my own shelves and number chai latte was a group read. In the end I actually ended up picking two group reads, but my copy of The Flight Portfolio is a kindle edition (which has been proving super useful for all the build in French and German translation). September reading is off to a great start! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!!! 3mo

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Graciouswarriorprincess

The Hotel: A Novel | Elizabeth Bowen

September hopefuls. This doesn‘t include my ebooks nor audiobooks.