The Hotel New Hampshire

The Hotel New Hampshire follows the Berry family across three hotels and two continents during the 1950s and 60s. The family consists of parents Win and Mary, along with their five children: Frank, Franny, John (the narrator), Lilly, and Egg. The story begins in New Hampshire, where Win Berry transforms an old girls' school into the first Hotel New Hampshire. The family's path intersects with various characters who shape their lives, including a Viennese entertainer named Freud and his performing bear. The novel tracks the Berry children's growth from childhood through young adulthood as they navigate life's complexities in both America and Vienna. Their experiences at each hotel location mark distinct chapters in their development and relationships with each other. Through elements of both tragedy and comedy, the novel explores themes of family bonds, sexual awakening, and the tension between reality and dreams. The story demonstrates how family members can serve as both anchors and catalysts for each other's transformation.

Readers describe the book as dark, bizarre, and uncomfortable yet compelling. Many note it requires an open mind and tolerance for taboo subjects. Positive reviews highlight Irving's distinctive storytelling style, memorable characters, and ability to blend tragedy with humor. Readers connect with the family dynamics and underlying themes of love and resilience. Several mention the book stays with them long after finishing. Common criticisms focus on the controversial subject matter, which some find gratuitous or offensive. Others note the plot meanders and includes too many tragic events. Some readers struggle with the pacing and Irving's descriptive writing style. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (58,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (650+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) "Like a circus act that's simultaneously fascinating and horrifying" - Goodreads reviewer "Not for the faint of heart but worth the emotional investment" - Amazon reviewer "The quirky characters mask deeper truths about family bonds" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 The novel was published in 1981 and became Irving's first bestseller after the success of "The World According to Garp" 🐻 Bears appear as a recurring motif throughout Irving's work, inspired by his time performing in circus acts during his youth 🏨 The Austrian hotel setting was influenced by Irving's experiences as a student in Vienna, where he studied at the Institute of European Studies 📝 Irving writes all his novels by hand, crafting detailed outlines that can be hundreds of pages long before beginning the actual manuscript 🎬 The book was adapted into a film in 1984, starring Jodie Foster and Rob Lowe, with Irving himself writing the screenplay