The Two Hotel Francforts

The Two Hotel Francforts takes place in Lisbon during the summer of 1940, as refugees await passage to America amid World War II. Two married couples cross paths at one of the city's Hotel Francforts, where they form an unexpected connection while navigating the tense atmosphere of a city filled with displaced Europeans. The story centers on Pete and Julia Winters, Americans living in Paris who fled to Portugal, and Edward and Iris Freleng, a sophisticated British couple. Their chance meeting evolves into a complex relationship during their weeks of waiting in Lisbon, revealing the secrets and tensions within both marriages. The novel captures a specific historical moment when Lisbon served as one of Europe's last neutral ports and final escape route to America. Against this backdrop of uncertainty and transition, the characters confront questions of identity, loyalty, and sexuality. The Two Hotel Francforts explores themes of displacement and desire, examining how extraordinary circumstances can dissolve social conventions and transform lives. Through its portrayal of these four characters, the novel considers how war affects not just nations but individual relationships and personal truths.

Readers found this wartime novel slower-paced and less engaging compared to Leavitt's other works. The 1940s Lisbon setting and period details earned praise, but many felt the characters lacked depth and the plot meandered. What readers liked: - Historical accuracy and atmospheric portrayal of WWII-era Portugal - Complex relationship dynamics between the two couples - Clean, precise prose style What readers disliked: - Flat, unsympathetic characters - Plot loses momentum in middle sections - Several reviewers called the ending unsatisfying and abrupt Ratings: Goodreads: 3.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.3/5 (120+ ratings) "The setting was vivid but I couldn't connect with any of the characters," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another on Amazon wrote: "Started strong but fizzled out - the protagonists' actions felt forced and unrealistic." Library Journal and Kirkus gave positive reviews focused on the historical elements and prose quality, while acknowledging the narrative's uneven pacing.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel A story of interconnected lives between two hotels traces themes of identity and deception across international borders during times of crisis.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter The narrative shifts between European hotels and time periods to reveal the connections between travelers whose paths intersect through chance and circumstance.

The Master by Colm Tóibín This fictionalized account of Henry James's life captures the essence of expatriate existence and same-sex desire in European settings during the late 19th century.

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky A portrait of life in France during World War II depicts the intersection of lives among refugees and locals as they navigate survival and relationships.

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer The story follows Hungarian Jews in Paris and Budapest during World War II, exploring themes of exile, identity, and love against the backdrop of historical events.

★ During WWII, Lisbon became known as the "Capital of Espionage," serving as one of Europe's primary gathering points for spies, diplomats, and refugees due to Portugal's neutral status. ★ Author David Leavitt is a professor at the University of Florida and founded the literary magazine Subtropics, which has published works by notable authors like John Updike and Joyce Carol Oates. ★ The Hotel Francfort was an actual establishment in Lisbon during WWII, though the novel creates a fictional second hotel of the same name, playing with the theme of doubling throughout the narrative. ★ Many famous figures passed through Lisbon during this period, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, author Arthur Koestler, and surrealist artist Max Ernst, all seeking passage to America. ★ The novel draws inspiration from real refugee accounts, particularly those of European Jews who sold their valuables in Lisbon's Rossio Square while waiting for visas - a practice that became known as the "Rossio Market."