Scan barcode
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
I desperately wanted to like this book, and was sure that it was a solid four star, if not an illustrious five star rating, in the making. Early promotions about this novel gave me the impression that this would be [b:Eleven|8466327|Eleven|Mark Watson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349055634s/8466327.jpg|13330815] but in the setting of a hotel. The constant narrative changes, a catalogue of unique voices and a plethora of individual stories that were all woven together to create a tense over-arching plot. I knew from Watson's previous novels that his talent as an author is superlative, and therefore my expectations were very high.
I did however find that 'Hotel Alpha' fell a little short of these expectations. I cannot fault the writing style at all, there was a lovely description throughout the novel and a subtle sense of humour that ran through every page. Watson is the Howard York of writing, seemingly effortless but always brilliant at everything that he tries.
The issue was then in the concept. I wanted to see the world of the Hotel Alpha through the voices and eyes of those living within it's walls. I wanted to know how everyone felt, and was disappointed when the voices were only given to Graham and Chas.
these were the voices that I wanted to hear.
I had hoped that the additional stories written online would give these major characters their time, but I found that actually the stories were rather hard to read and their impact on the book was near to zero. There was of course the odd "Oh I see!" as I puzzled my way through the website, but beyond that... sadly lacking. I did not however, read all of the stories as I kept getting lost on the site, so apologies if any aspects mentioned were eventually covered.
The plot was sorely lacking as well, I had hoped that the stories of Agatha, Ella and Lara would all interweave to reveal something much more sinister about Howard York and his dealings. I wanted Graham and Chas to discover that Howard wasn't the idol that they both believed him to be. There was always this undercurrent of something sinister going on in the Hotel Alpha, but the reality was a bit of a disappointment. For all the tension and the secrecy in the novel, the ending was relatively anti-climatic,
Overall I quite enjoyed the novel because it was so well written and the narrators were likeable, but I had just hoped that there would have been something more
I did however find that 'Hotel Alpha' fell a little short of these expectations. I cannot fault the writing style at all, there was a lovely description throughout the novel and a subtle sense of humour that ran through every page. Watson is the Howard York of writing, seemingly effortless but always brilliant at everything that he tries.
The issue was then in the concept. I wanted to see the world of the Hotel Alpha through the voices and eyes of those living within it's walls. I wanted to know how everyone felt, and was disappointed when the voices were only given to Graham and Chas.
Spoiler
How did Ella feel when she was forced to leave Chas? How did Sarah-Jane feel when she realised that Howard was a cheater? How did Pattie feel when Graham spent a life devoted to the Alpha, but barely knew her? Did Kathleen and Chas ever get back together now the secret was uncoveredI had hoped that the additional stories written online would give these major characters their time, but I found that actually the stories were rather hard to read and their impact on the book was near to zero. There was of course the odd "Oh I see!" as I puzzled my way through the website, but beyond that... sadly lacking. I did not however, read all of the stories as I kept getting lost on the site, so apologies if any aspects mentioned were eventually covered.
The plot was sorely lacking as well, I had hoped that the stories of Agatha, Ella and Lara would all interweave to reveal something much more sinister about Howard York and his dealings. I wanted Graham and Chas to discover that Howard wasn't the idol that they both believed him to be. There was always this undercurrent of something sinister going on in the Hotel Alpha, but the reality was a bit of a disappointment.
Spoiler
I understand the impact on the family once they understood that Graham and not Howard had saved Chas, but really, Howard had been as much as a father to Chas since the fire, that Graham had. And sure, Sarah-Jane may have understood that Howard had been having and affair with Roz, but had she not already said that she not onl knew about his affairs but always forgave him?Spoiler
and Howard seemed to escape once again unscathed.Overall I quite enjoyed the novel because it was so well written and the narrators were likeable, but I had just hoped that there would have been something more
cakeybarkid's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I have no knowledge of Watson as a comedian, and saw this mentioned and purely liked the sound of a novel set in a hotel - I always enjoyed Hotel Babylon, and I did think of it numerous times as I read this.
Watson is a very good writer. Assured, confident and funny, he also manages moments of emotion and warmth.
This is the story of a hotel. An opulent London hotel, from its inception by a Harry Selfridge-like rich dreamer Howard York to the present day. Narrated by two men, our first is the concierge Graham, hired on a whim by York and there to oversee its trials and triumphs over a forty-year span. Our second is Chas, Howard's blind adopted son, raised in the hotel and reclusive in his disability...
We see changes over the decades, we see stories develop, old secrets unearthed, and society altering around the hotel, which valiantly tries to keep up.
I loved how the story develops, how Chas's adolescent then adult narrative complements Graham's as we see the hotel's story from their differing points of view, and their views of the entrepreneur Howard. It's a fascinating, and at times heartbreaking tale.
Graham's narrative says a lot by what he doesn't say - his repeated meal at home, his loyalty to his work. Chas's world of darkness is on the surface, the more moving tale, though his growth over time to me meant the constant Graham looked even more set in his ways - not embracing changes in technology, wistfully remembering the past.
And both have good reason to try and forget the past...
I really, really liked this. I've already ordered a copy of the author's 'Eleven', and his is a name I'll be looking out for again. Well-developed plot (though I thought Howard the weakest character actually), with some very human characters and plot turns you become very involved in.
I didn't read on to the 100 extra tales (told by other hotel guests), I liked the story standing on its own and didn't feel the need to explore further, though I liked the idea.
A little mystery, a hotel-set 'family saga' of sorts exploring change in the 20th and 21st century - a modern Selfridges tale.
I have no knowledge of Watson as a comedian, and saw this mentioned and purely liked the sound of a novel set in a hotel - I always enjoyed Hotel Babylon, and I did think of it numerous times as I read this.
Watson is a very good writer. Assured, confident and funny, he also manages moments of emotion and warmth.
This is the story of a hotel. An opulent London hotel, from its inception by a Harry Selfridge-like rich dreamer Howard York to the present day. Narrated by two men, our first is the concierge Graham, hired on a whim by York and there to oversee its trials and triumphs over a forty-year span. Our second is Chas, Howard's blind adopted son, raised in the hotel and reclusive in his disability...
We see changes over the decades, we see stories develop, old secrets unearthed, and society altering around the hotel, which valiantly tries to keep up.
I loved how the story develops, how Chas's adolescent then adult narrative complements Graham's as we see the hotel's story from their differing points of view, and their views of the entrepreneur Howard. It's a fascinating, and at times heartbreaking tale.
Graham's narrative says a lot by what he doesn't say - his repeated meal at home, his loyalty to his work. Chas's world of darkness is on the surface, the more moving tale, though his growth over time to me meant the constant Graham looked even more set in his ways - not embracing changes in technology, wistfully remembering the past.
And both have good reason to try and forget the past...
I really, really liked this. I've already ordered a copy of the author's 'Eleven', and his is a name I'll be looking out for again. Well-developed plot (though I thought Howard the weakest character actually), with some very human characters and plot turns you become very involved in.
I didn't read on to the 100 extra tales (told by other hotel guests), I liked the story standing on its own and didn't feel the need to explore further, though I liked the idea.
A little mystery, a hotel-set 'family saga' of sorts exploring change in the 20th and 21st century - a modern Selfridges tale.
kayleem93's review against another edition
1.0
Things this book was sold to me as having -
Mystery
Unexplained happenings
Devious Goings On
A Veritable Soup of Secrets
Inexplicaple Disappearances
Thing this book did not have -
Mystery
Unexplained happenings
Devious Goings On
A Veritable Soup of Secrets
Inexplicaple Disappearances
Mystery
Unexplained happenings
Devious Goings On
A Veritable Soup of Secrets
Inexplicaple Disappearances
Thing this book did not have -
Mystery
Unexplained happenings
Devious Goings On
A Veritable Soup of Secrets
Inexplicaple Disappearances
helenlouise0304's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rachandnors's review
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
keetzwitch's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great little light hearted book that feels more like a circle of diaries mushed together of fantastic lives