France Théoret

Although this is the first book I have read by the author, I am familiar with her name and her many titles. I found this book confusing and wonder if the translation is, in part, responsible for the inconsistencies throughout. The book begins in the 1st person and in the middle of Chapter 4 switches to the 3rd person. Then, in Chapter 5, the perspective changes back to the 1st person. Later in the chapter, the names of the two sisters change inexplicably from Gigi and Lola to Lorraine and Evelyne. Every time there is a hint of something interesting happening the thread ends and is never developed. Finally, I think the plot is moving forward when I read "The words come." Unfortunately, that's the end of the book.… (más)

A young Canadian woman named Louise Aubert upsets "a silent order all the more intolerant for being silent" by leaving her family and to pursue education and a life in the city. The title story is a broad overview of her life, with little detail. Although it begins with Louise, the story becomes dominated for long stretches by her artist husband, Mathieu - as his life and art eventually subsumes Louise's life.

In "Fascination" a woman leaves an unnamed man, then questions her decision. "Leaving was an act of violence against herself. She was literally in danger."

In "English Tweed" a woman is defined, and overcome by marriage and motherhood.

Many of the characters in this collection are academics, overly analytical, short on practicality. The style, basically all tell, little show, can be tiring.… (más)

I've slacked on this review. I finished this book ages ago. Conclusion: the book exists. You get the feeling that it's meant to be read as a physical copy, poorly bound, in a café, with a cigarette, and other literati around, reading the same or other slim novellas. A few of them are Marxists. Coffee is black and strong. Everything is in black-and-white. There may be berets. Someone should pound their fist on the table.

I, on the other hand, read this book on a kobo on an airplane. So ... yeah ...

Nothing much happens. I mean, obviously a lot happens if you just list all the things that happen (her parents own a store, they sell their store, they buy another store, they buy a hotel, they move to the country, she goes to university, etc.) but it's still a nothing happens sort of book. The conflicts are petty (overbearing father, ineffective mother, dismissive sister, loser boyfriend) and unsubstantial. It's all sort of abstractly interesting, like an art house film. I like some art house films, but I also tend to forget stories without strong plots, and I think The Four Roads Hotel is going to be one of those ones I end up forgetting I even read it.

The Four Roads Hotel by France Théoret went on sale October 1, 2017.

I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (más)