Hotel du Lac

I found this book rather dull. I suspect I missed the point of it and, if I'd understood what it was about I could have enjoyed it more. But I didn't, so I didn't.

The central character is the author of romantic fiction who, ironically, is unable to find any romance herself. She's trapped in an affair with a married man, ends up being effectively exiled to this hotel on the lake by friends because of an event (spoilers - you'll find out), meets another man (he hardly figures at all really) and then something else happens... And then it's over.

It's probably a very, very clever book. It won the Booker Prize in 1984 or something. But it just went over my head, I'm afraid. However, given the number of glowing reviews it's one of those that you should probably try yourself. Maybe you'll love it. I'm glad I read it and gave it a go. But it's not quite my cup of tea.

It's the end of the season at a lakeside hotel in Switzerland. The few leftover mostly female guests lounge on the terrace, take strolls in the autumn weather, get clothes made from seamstresses, have lunch, take tea, dress up for dinner, and then turn in early. Everyone behaves as if this is a novel set in the early 20th century. And yet, occasional remarks - like having television in their rooms - make you realize it really is set closer to the novel's publication date (1984). There's a hazy out-of-time feeling to it all. The women are mysterious, wretched and dramatic, living different fates of being-pushed-aside-by-men. The protagonist is at a crossroad in her own life, questioning if she should marry.

Elegant and wry writing, which I very much enjoyed.