Hotel Du Lac

Hotel du Lac is a novel by Anita Brookner, portraying a reserved writer’s stay at a Swiss hotel, where solitude and social expectations clash amid subtle emotional revelations.
Cirque du Lune
Cirque du Lune
The year was 1934; I was twenty-two years old. I never thought of myself as anything special. I was barely making it through the Great Depression. There were many days I lived off of scraps. I was the king of odd jobs, just enough to get by. I had done it all, from being a field hand to a miner. It all changed one night when I stumbled across a traveling circus, Cirque du Lune. I had never seen such a sight. Instead of the usual menagerie, this circus was overrun with wolves. There was one performer who caught my eye; it was as if an angel had descended from heaven on a silk ribbon.
10
55 Chapters
DU PARADIS POUR L'ENFER
DU PARADIS POUR L'ENFER
Deux jumelles Peace et Priscille vont vivre L'amour parfait avec leur conjoint. Cependant la faiblesse de leur croyances religieuses va conduire l'une des jumelles à s'engager dans une relation qui la conduira dans les plus grandes vicissitudes de la vie. Dieu est le maître de tout
Not enough ratings
19 Chapters
I Became a Receptionist in a Haunted Hotel
I Became a Receptionist in a Haunted Hotel
I was the sole front desk clerk at a haunted hotel. Welcoming players, checking in on the bosses’ quarters, and slacking off a bit were all part of the job. At least, that was what I thought. It turned out my days were far from ordinary. A blood-drenched little girl in a tattered red dress kept ringing the service bell. Her eerie voice echoed, “Miss, why didn’t you come play with me?” A creepy black cat with glowing eyes wouldn’t stop meowing and rubbing against my legs. And then there was the old woman with claws like knives, cheerfully knitting me a sweater… out of players’ skin. One day, I took a day off to care for my sick mother. That was my biggest mistake. The entire game instance erupted in chaos. Bosses interrogated players, demanding to know where their precious front desk clerk had gone. “Did she abandon us? Is she never coming back?” I ran. They chased. But no matter how fast I fled, their grip on me only tightened. In the end, escape wasn’t an option.
11 Chapters
BRI, LA FILLE DU MAFIEUX
BRI, LA FILLE DU MAFIEUX
BRI est la fille unique du richissime homme d'affaires Tony Smith, ce dernier trempe dans des affaires louches. Sa couverture n'est que fictive. Il est tellement fier de sa fille qu'il ne cache pas sa volonté de la voir lui succéder un jour à la tête du cartel. Bri mène une vie monotone mais guidée par l'argent de soirées alcoolisées en soirées alcoolisées elle vit. Mais l'arrivée de Marco va tout chambouler. Ce dernier cache un lourd secret, secret qui risque de détruire leur relation, relation sur laquelle Bri et lui n'ont pas mit de mot. Que se passera t-il?
8
40 Chapters
Strange land: The Reluctant wife
Strange land: The Reluctant wife
Daisy is a normal girl in the modern world. When she lost consciousness due to a traffic accident, she dreamed that she went to Mighty Era. Mighty Era is a rich kingdom in the period when feudalism was flourishing. However, underneath the outward prosperity is the struggle between the royal forces to compete for the throne. The king has no heirs, and poor health. He tries to keep the throne among the Royals with remedies and a kind of Royal bloodline. All of the Aristocrats are only thinking for themselves, opening a picture of the royal ceremony, but the inner bond has completely rotted. Daisy got off to a bad start. Daisy is a normal girl, without any talent to use in Mighty Era. She even can not speak Mighty Era's languages. Her appearance is not appreciated in Mighty Era even though in the modern world she is considered a beautiful girl. Daisy even nearly lost her life for being suspected of being a spy. She must study hard and live cautiously. Daisy is forced to marry Charlie Aristocrat for saving her life. If Daisy can back home or just be a chessman in Mighty Era? The answers are in this story.
Not enough ratings
7 Chapters
Black Card
Black Card
Steal the CEO's Black Card or his cold heart? "Please... Please sir I'm begging you, I didn't steal the card. Please believe me" Belle hopelessly begged, tears welling her already messy face. "You deserve to be in prison...fraud!" the store manager exclaimed in pure disdain, glaring as he snickered. Belle was an orphan from a young age, struggling for her dream. A dream of becoming a great doctor. A dream she weaved together with her late parents. For several years, a tiny room in a dilapidated building served her humble home, living at the mercy of others. Most of the time she has empty pockets and an empty stomach. She endured the ridicule from wearing worn-out clothes and torn shoes for medical school. Life is a struggle for her but never did she think of stealing, especially the BLACK CARD of the famous and cold CEO, Ethan DelValle.
9.8
93 Chapters

Who Wrote 'Hotel Du Lac' And When Was It Published?

2 Answers2025-06-21 04:23:12

I've always admired Anita Brookner's writing, and 'Hotel du Lac' is one of those novels that stays with you long after you finish it. Published in 1984, this Booker Prize-winning book showcases Brookner's sharp, introspective style. The story follows Edith Hope, a romance novelist exiled to a Swiss hotel, and it’s packed with quiet emotional depth. Brookner had a background in art history before turning to fiction, and her attention to detail shines here—every scene feels meticulously crafted. The novel arrived during a golden era for literary fiction, standing out for its exploration of loneliness and societal expectations placed on women. What makes it special is how Brookner balances melancholy with wit, creating characters that feel achingly real.

'Hôtel du Lac' wasn’t just critically acclaimed; it resonated with readers who appreciated its subdued yet powerful narrative. Brookner’s prose is deceptively simple, layering complex emotions beneath seemingly ordinary moments. The 1980s were a fascinating time for literature, and this novel fits perfectly into that era’s themes of introspection and identity. It’s a book that rewards slow reading, with each paragraph offering something to savor. Brookner went on to write many more novels, but this one remains her most celebrated work, capturing a timeless sense of displacement and longing.

What Is The Main Plot Of 'Hotel Du Lac'?

2 Answers2025-06-21 01:15:37

The main plot of 'Hotel du Lac' revolves around Edith Hope, a romance novelist who retreats to a quiet Swiss hotel after a social scandal. The story captures her reflective solitude and the interactions with the hotel's eccentric guests. Edith's stay becomes a journey of self-discovery as she confronts her own romantic ideals and societal expectations. The novel's brilliance lies in its subtle exploration of female autonomy and the quiet rebellions against conventional roles. Edith's eventual decision to return to her previous life, despite the hotel's tranquil allure, underscores the complexity of personal freedom and the compromises women often face.

The supporting characters at the hotel add layers to the narrative, each representing different facets of love and loneliness. There's the wealthy widow clinging to her past, the pragmatic mother-daughter duo seeking security, and the enigmatic Mr. Neville, who propositions Edith with a detached, almost clinical offer of marriage. These interactions force Edith to reevaluate her own desires and the narratives she constructs in her novels. The lake itself becomes a metaphor for the surface calm masking deeper, unresolved tensions. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving readers to ponder whether Edith's return signifies growth or resignation.

Who Are The Key Characters In 'Hotel Du Lac'?

3 Answers2025-06-21 13:51:41

Edith Hope is the heart of 'Hotel du Lac', a romance novelist exiled to a Swiss hotel after a scandal. She's introspective, sharp, and caught between societal expectations and her own desires. Mr. Neville, the wealthy widower, is all charm and calculation, offering Edith a lifeline to respectability. Then there's Mrs. Pusey, a hilarious social climber with her daughter Jennifer in tow—they bring gossip and shallow glamour. Monica, the tragic beauty with a controlling husband, shows the dark side of marriage. Each character mirrors facets of Edith's dilemmas, making the hotel feel like a pressure cooker of quiet desperation and hidden hopes.

Where Is 'Hotel Du Lac' Set And Why Is It Significant?

3 Answers2025-06-21 11:53:52

The novel 'Hotel du Lac' is set in a quiet, refined hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. This setting is crucial because it mirrors the protagonist's internal journey. Edith Hope, a romance novelist, is sent there by her friends to reflect on her life after a scandal. The hotel's isolation and the serene, almost timeless quality of the lake create a perfect backdrop for introspection. The genteel atmosphere, with its elderly guests and strict routines, contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil Edith faces. The location symbolizes both escape and confinement, reflecting her struggle between societal expectations and personal desires.

How Does 'Hotel Du Lac' Explore Themes Of Isolation?

2 Answers2025-06-21 10:39:41

Reading 'Hotel du Lac' feels like stepping into a quiet, melancholic world where isolation isn't just a setting but a character itself. The protagonist, Edith, is sent to the hotel as a form of exile after a scandal, and the lakeside retreat becomes a mirror for her internal solitude. The author, Anita Brookner, paints isolation in subtle strokes—through the hushed corridors of the hotel, the restrained conversations between guests, and the way time seems to stretch endlessly. The other guests, like the enigmatic Mrs. Pusey and her daughter, are also isolated in their own ways, trapped by societal expectations or personal delusions. What struck me most was how Brookner contrasts physical isolation with emotional confinement. Edith's letters to her lover reveal her longing for connection, yet she remains emotionally distant, as if afraid to fully engage with life. The lake itself becomes a symbol of this isolation—beautiful but unchanging, reflecting the characters' stagnation. The novel doesn't offer easy resolutions; instead, it lingers in that space between loneliness and self-discovery, making the reader feel the weight of unspoken words and missed opportunities.

The hotel's setting in off-season Switzerland amplifies the theme. The lack of tourists, the closed shops, and the muted landscape create a vacuum where the characters' inner lives take center stage. Even the romance that flickers between Edith and Mr. Neville feels like a fleeting attempt to escape isolation rather than a genuine connection. Brookner's genius lies in how she makes isolation both oppressive and oddly comforting—Edith begins to see it as a refuge from the chaos of her previous life. The final decision Edith makes underscores this duality, leaving the reader to ponder whether isolation is a prison or a sanctuary.

Why Did 'Hotel Du Lac' Win The Booker Prize?

3 Answers2025-06-21 16:15:01

As someone who's read 'Hotel du Lac' multiple times, I think its Booker Prize win comes down to how perfectly it captures quiet desperation. Brookner writes with surgical precision about Edith Hope's exile to the Swiss hotel, turning what seems like a simple retreat into this profound study of female isolation. The prose is deceptively simple - every sentence carries weight without being flashy. It's the kind of book where you notice new layers each read, like how the hotel's restrained elegance mirrors Edith's own repression. The committee clearly recognized how it redefined what a character study could be - no grand drama, just the deafening silence of a life half-lived.

Who Is The Killer In 'Death Du Jour'?

5 Answers2025-06-18 11:52:51

In 'Death du Jour', the killer is revealed to be a cunning and deeply disturbed individual who hides behind a facade of normalcy. The story builds suspense by dropping subtle hints about their identity, making readers second-guess every character. The killer’s motives are tied to a dark past, involving unresolved trauma and a thirst for revenge. Their methods are meticulous, leaving little evidence behind, which makes the protagonist’s job even harder.

What’s fascinating is how the killer’s psychology is explored. They aren’t just a mindless murderer but someone who justifies their actions through warped logic. The final confrontation is intense, with the protagonist narrowly escaping death before uncovering the truth. The reveal is satisfying because it ties up all the loose ends while still leaving room for reflection on how easily evil can blend into everyday life.

Is Dricus Du Plessis Gay

4 Answers2025-02-13 06:26:20

When it is about personal details or the private life of a person outside these scopes, such as Dricus Du Plessis who is a professional MMA fighter - That is just not where I know how to go with it or want to bother with.My suggestion is to leave them alone.

How Does 'Death Du Jour' End?

5 Answers2025-06-18 13:15:54

In 'Death du Jour', the climax is a gripping mix of forensic revelations and personal stakes. Dr. Temperance Brennan uncovers a twisted plot involving a secretive cult and their ritualistic killings. The final confrontation happens at an isolated compound where Brennan and her team race against time to stop another murder. The leader of the cult is exposed, but not without a brutal struggle—Brennan’s expertise in bone analysis becomes the key to dismantling the entire operation.

The resolution ties up loose ends while leaving some emotional threads dangling. Brennan’s relationships with colleagues deepen, especially with Andrew Ryan, hinting at future tensions. The cult’s victims are identified, bringing closure to their families, but the psychological toll on Brennan lingers. The ending balances justice with the haunting reality of how easily people can be manipulated into darkness.

Where Is 'Death Du Jour' Set?

5 Answers2025-06-18 04:18:28

'Death du Jour' throws us into a frostbitten, atmospheric Quebec winter—not just as a backdrop, but as a character itself. The story unfolds across Montreal's cobbled streets and the claustrophobic halls of academia, where bone-chilling winds mirror the grim murders. Tempe Brennan's forensic work takes her from university labs to remote rural areas, each location steeped in cultural tension between modern science and stubborn local superstitions.

The plot also stretches into icy farmlands where isolation breeds secrets, contrasting sharply with the city's deceptive bustle. Reichs uses Quebec’s duality—French heritage meeting Canadian grit—to amplify the story’s themes of hidden violence beneath civility. The setting isn’t just where things happen; it’s why they happen, with frozen ground hiding truths as effectively as the killer hides motives.

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status