47 Comments

Like you, Kate, I enjoyed the book first time around but when I returned to it it was much better than I had remembered. That does make me cross, to think how sexist (and preposterous) those male critics were. I'm looking forward to Hermione Lee's biography of Brookner, due soon!

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Ooh, I didn't know that! Thanks, Ann :)

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I am not familiar with this work, but I look forward to adding it to my reading list. This scenario reminds me of when Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921, yet that remarkable achievement was undermined when reports came out that the jury had selected _Main Street_, but the decision was overturned by the all-male Pulitzer Board arguing that it was not adequately “wholesome” to win & declared that Wharton’s work met that shallow standard. Clearly the Pulitzer Board had no understanding of the nuance & complexity of Wharton’s brilliant social critique—and attack on socially validated sexism that made the controversy particularly absurd!

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How interesting! Thank you for sharing.

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This is just such a wonderful piece. I am so glad she won the Booker now.

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Thanks! Me too ✋

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This book sounds wonderful. I don't think I care much for book awards but the gossip and politics around who gets them and who decides are so thrilling.

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Haha, so true! 🤣

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Great article. I read Hotel after it won the prize and think it’s time for a re-read as age will likely give me a different perspective.

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Thank you, Pamela! I agree; I plan to ee-read soonish too!

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I absolutely hated it at the time! I’d probably enjoy it now. Sometimes who you are as a reader plays a bigger part than you realize in the moment 😉

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Oh, totally!! I have returned to so many books and had the opposite reaction to the first time around.

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An incredible book, but I’d argue that her first three novels are even better! She’s amazing.

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Thanks, Christian. Yes, I know a lot of readers prefer her other books. I think I have a particular affection for Hotel because it was my first encounter of Brookner, but going on to discover more of her work was a joy.

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I love Hotel du Lac, and I do still have my copy. The illustration on the front is beautiful and so evocative.

I had no idea about the controversy surrounding Brookner winning the Booker Prize, so thank you for highlighting that. How pompous of the men to try to spoil her glory.

I read Hotel du Lac first and then I read all of Anita Brookner’s novels after that.

I love the detail of her observations best of all.

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I found it so pompous!! I was outraged on her behalf, even all these years later. I agree re her observations.

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Great article! I’ve not heard of this one but it sounds like my kind of read. It’s so ridiculous that an author is made to feel like she should apologise for receiving an award,

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Thanks! I know...so bad!

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Thank you so much for writing about Hotel du Lac and for the link to the film. I love Anita Brookner’s work, and an entire shelf in one of my bookcases contains nearly every book she’s written. I’m 75 and hope I live long enough to reread them. I didn’t know about Hermione Lee’s forthcoming biography and look forward to it, too. Your thoughts about this novel winning the Booker Prize, and your narrative about the controversy, unknown to me, are much appreciated. Sometimes when I look at the shortlisted novels for each year, I find the prospect of reading them exhausting. I have never felt that way about Brookner’s work, and I’m glad the judges awarded her this honor early in her career. You put me back in touch with a book that feels like a treasured friend and I’m grateful.

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Hi Doug, thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed reading the piece. I am in envy of your Brookner shelf! I am sure you have mean years to re-read and enjoy her work. I did not know about the new biography either, which sounds exciting as Hermione Lee is a great biographer. I agree with you on the shortlists for these kinds of books…I rarely read them. I am glad to have reminded you of a treasured book; may you enjoy revisiting it soon. Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment.

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I am, once again, adding another title to my wish list after reading a post from you!

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OMG Juliana! I was just thinking of you as I have just finished reading The Road to the City by Natalia Ginzburg and now have The Dry Heart! Thank you for your recommendation of her work - and you are welcome to Brookner :)

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I feel doubly honored to be remembered by you and in connection to Ginzburg!! :D

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I love that BBC film of Hotel du Lac, I saw it a few weeks ago. Anna Massey is perfect but I wasn't sure about Denholm Elliot. Anyway, it brought the book back to me, and me back to the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading again.

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That's great, June! I often find that a good film version drives you back to the novel it came from.

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I really enjoyed your elegant resumé of the novel.

And I loved your penultimate paragraph: defiance with a Brookneresque understatement. Sweet.

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Ha! Thanks, Nicolas! I'll take "Brookneresque 😎

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What an interesting read - this book (and author) sounds like it’s right up my alley. Off to request a copy from my library now! Thanks for the introduction.

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Yes! From reading your reviews Kelsey, I feel like this is one you'll enjoy. Quintessential English understatement at its best!

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I was a great fan of Brookner's novels at one time and read many of them. She certainly deserved the Booker prize. Her brand of low-key brilliance may have been beyond the discernible register of a panel of male judges--the way certain bat sounds are inaudible to humans.

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Your comment made me laugh out loud, Brooks! But yes, she certainly had a low-key brilliance that perhaps was undervalued by some.

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I’ve had a second hand copy of Hotel du Lac for years, but I’ve never actually read it. Nor seen the film, though I love Denholm Elliott. And what a terrible experience for her. When she should have felt joyous.

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Oh, I definitely think you'll enjoy her writing, Victoria! Elliott is great as Mr Neville, too.

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He just oozes warmth. I can’t imagine him having been anything other than lovely!

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