The Hotel New Hampshire

This novel starts with a dream harboured by John's father, Win Berry, who aspires to turn an abandoned girls' school in New Hampshire into a bustling hotel. Alongside his wife Mary and their five children, Win embarks on this unconventional endeavour. Each member of the Berry family is wonderfully quirky: Franny, the outspoken and fearless sister; Egg, the youngest with a peculiar attachment to his dog; Frank, the intelligent yet socially awkward son; and Lilly, the aspiring writer with an inseparable bond to her siblings. They live an extraordinary life, filled with bizarre encounters and surreal situations that intertwine their fate with a pet bear, recurring dreams, and a tragic past.

John Berry's narrative is both humorous and melancholic, capturing the essence of a family determined to 'keep passing the open windows' in the face of adversity. As hoteliers and pet-bear owners, the Berrys cross paths with an intriguing collection of characters, including a quirky Freud—an animal trainer rather than the famed psychoanalyst. The family's journey takes them from the rural settings of New Hampshire to the streets of Vienna, where they experience love, loss, and the profound impact of their father's dreams.

Irving's novel is both outrageous and deeply moving, weaving themes of family loyalty, resilience, and the constant pursuit of dreams against the stark realities of life. With its richly developed characters and unexpected twists, The Hotel New Hampshire explores the intricacies of human relationships and the surreal nature of existence, all while maintaining a deeply engaging narrative style.

John Irving's characteristic wit and narrative brilliance shine in this masterful work, as he deftly navigates between the comedic and the tragic, ultimately leaving readers with a story that is as unforgettable as the characters themselves. The Hotel New Hampshire remains a significant contribution to contemporary American literature, cementing Irving's reputation as a storyteller of exceptional calibre.