Reviews

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

msachet's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

jackiesam's review

5.0

It took me some time to think about why I loved this book so much. Parts of it were disturbing and hard to get through but in the end it was about an unconventional family that pulled each other through all of the things in life that they couldn't control, and managed to find happiness in their disfunction. I didn't love all of the characters but I loved their strengths and weaknesses and how they each identified with one another. Even though I sometimes find it hard to get through, I'm still a loyal John Irving fan :)

1fach_nele's review against another edition

adventurous funny sad medium-paced

4.0

peter_fischer's review against another edition

5.0

This is another masterpiece by Irving, this time dealing with the importance of family life. The chronicle follows the large Berry family who run three incarnations of the eponymous hotel, first in New Hampshire itself, then in Vienna (Austria), and finally Maine (USA). Everyday family life is on view constantly, emphasising the importance of tribal cohesion, especially in trying times.

slothrop_garp's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

martin_books's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

blaetz's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

rebeccatc's review against another edition

4.0

This is the first time I have read anything by John Irving. It's the story of an eccentric family with five children and their attempts to run two different hotels, one in New Hampshire and one in postwar Vienna, Austria. The story takes many unexpected turns and addresses some uncomfortable subjects but is written in an entertaining and often laugh out loud way. I did think the last quarter dragged. You know the book has gone on too long when it starts quoting poetry on every other page.

reading_carrot's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mg_libros's review against another edition

4.0

"Tienes que obsesionarte y mantener la obsesión. Y pasar de largo ante las ventanas abiertas."

Si de algo sabe John Irving es de obsesiones, toda su obra gira en torno a ellas. Con los mismos elementos construye siempre historias diferentes: en El hotel New Hampshire tenemos osos, Viena, luchadores y todo lo que forma ese universo propio.
La segunda parte de la novela se me ha hecho un poco pesada y hay una trama bastante perturbadora que me resulta completamente prescindible.