The Bird Hotel

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard is a captivating and enchanting story that takes readers into the magical world of La Llorona. Irene, a talented artist who has experienced heartbreak, finds herself in a small Central American village where she decides to restore and manage the beautiful yet decaying lakefront hotel called La Llorona left to her by the former owner.

Spanning four decades, The Bird Hotel offers a big, sweeping narrative filled with warmth, drama, romance, humor, and a touch of magic realism. As Irene works on the hotel, readers are introduced to a diverse cast of characters who either reside in the village or visit the hotel. Joyce Maynard skillfully weaves together a story that showcases her lyrical writing and whimsical storytelling.

The richly imagined world that Maynard brings to life on the page is informed by her more than twenty years of experience living in a small Mayan indigenous village in Guatemala. Her deep understanding of the culture and surroundings adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

In my opinion, The Bird Hotel is a truly enjoyable read. The writing is fantastic, with a well-paced plot that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The lush and atmospheric setting adds to the overall immersive experience. I particularly loved the found family aspect of the story and how Irene's perspective allows us to meet and hear the diverse stories of the characters.

While there were a couple of minor issues I had with the book and I felt that the ending could have been more developed, these did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. I highly recommend The Bird Hotel for those who appreciate a well-crafted story with compelling characters and a touch of magic. After reading this book, I am eager to explore more works by Joyce Maynard in the future.

ARC Via NetGalley

A nice escape to a remote Central American village, next to an imposing volcano, gorgeous gardens, and a deep lake. The story was sad at the outset, and eventually became happy – but it took a while. The stories of the various guests were interesting. I did see the twist coming from the introduction of that character, and the end (as another review said) was too neatly tied up. But it was a pleasant read, and I cared about the characters. I'm curious about other Joyce Maynard books; have I not read her before?