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The Hotel New Hampshire
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Check link for latest rating. ( 68,243 ratings, 2,296 reviews)
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The Hotel New Hampshire
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
John Berry is a son of a hapless dreamer, brother to a cadre of eccentric siblings, and chronicler of the lives lived, the loves experienced, the deaths met, and the myriad strange and wonderful times encountered by the family Berry.
A masterpiece from one of the great contemporary American writers.
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Description
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving is a captivating tale that masterfully blends humour and poignancy, defining the unique narrative journey of the Berry family. Set against a backdrop of peculiar and unpredictable experiences, the novel unfolds through the eyes of John Berry, who recounts the vivid and eccentric adventures of his family members.
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 Freudโan 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.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
A hectic, gaudy saga with the verve of a Marx Brothers movie, The New York Times Book Review. Literate, ingenious and original, Observer. Irving is the wisest, most anguished and funniest novelist of his generation and The Hotel New Hampshire is his best work, Chicago Sun-Times. An American masterpiece, Anthony Burgess.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780552992091
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 22 October 1982
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Black Swan
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 35.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 374g
Pages: 544
About the Author
John Irving published his first novel, Setting Free the Bears, in 1968. He has been nominated for a National Book Award three times - winning once, in 1980, for the novel The World According to Garp. He also received an O. Henry Award in 1981 for the short story 'Interior Space'. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules - a film with seven Academy Award nominations. In 2001, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His most recent novel is Last Night in Twisted River.
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