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nicjohnston's review against another edition
3.0
Having loved The Keeper of Lost Things and Sally Red Shoes, I think it is less that this book is mediocre (prob more 3.5/5) and more a case of it not quite living up to the massive anticipation I had built in my own mind. Ruth Hogan’s earlier books took me a little time to get into the rhythm but were hugely satisfying. I felt this plodded and it never really clicked. Readable but not quite what I was looking forward to.
mikaclapson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Moderate: Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
bmpicc's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the characters in this book. Young Tilly was written with such sweetness and innocence. The other characters were intriguing in their own ways. This book touched on many subjects from mental illness and surviving the death of a parent, to how far one might go to protect someone they love. With a few minor twists, this book sucked me in and kept me there until the very end.
annecarts's review against another edition
2.0
I perhaps should've given up on this one but all the high star reviews made me think there was a plot twist or something but unfortunately there isn't. The writing style didn't do it for me and I didn't find the child's voice believable and most of the characters are caricatures. I also didn't understand the title as the hotel doesn't feature until half way through and isn't the main plot.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
jodibee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
natalies7's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like it took me so long to finish this book! I ended up really loving the characters
missviclb's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t really know what to make of this book. I really enjoyed reading her chapters as Tilly, with the humour and innocence. It was very interesting to read a book from a child’s POV and I felt the writer pulled it off well so that was very enjoyable. I didn’t however enjoy her chapters as Tilda quite so much and couldn’t feel much of a connection to her. A few things confused me and didn’t feel like they made much sense, I wasn’t sure how old Tilda was now (I may have missed it somehow) or what had happened in the gap between her youth and now, but it was still a very interesting read. If I knew it was going to be so sad I probably wouldn’t have read it, but I’m glad I did.
bianca89279's review against another edition
4.0
I was at the library picking some books I had on hold when I spotted this book prominently displayed. I felt compelled to grab it, as I adored The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.
I love the worlds and characters that Ruth Hogan creates. Her writing is infused with beautiful descriptions, complex characters with rich inner worlds. Throw in a bit of whimsy and a dusting of magical realism and we've got ourselves a charming novel.
Told in two alternate timelines, one of Tilly a seven-year-old girl and Tilda, the adult who'd just buried her mother, Queenie Malon's Paradise Hotel is a slow, nostalgia-filled novel that dwells on how little we know those closest to us and how easy it is even for good people to do bad things that have negative consequences for those they love.
Upon discovering her mother's diaries, Tilda rediscovers herself and her mother, and she can begin to put together the puzzle of her life.
Coincidences and the right people in the right place at the right time move this story along.
I don't think this is as well realised as The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes - with which is tied-in in certain ways- but it was nevertheless still a very enjoyable read.
I'm looking forward to reading Ruth Hogan's fourth novel.
I love the worlds and characters that Ruth Hogan creates. Her writing is infused with beautiful descriptions, complex characters with rich inner worlds. Throw in a bit of whimsy and a dusting of magical realism and we've got ourselves a charming novel.
Told in two alternate timelines, one of Tilly a seven-year-old girl and Tilda, the adult who'd just buried her mother, Queenie Malon's Paradise Hotel is a slow, nostalgia-filled novel that dwells on how little we know those closest to us and how easy it is even for good people to do bad things that have negative consequences for those they love.
Upon discovering her mother's diaries, Tilda rediscovers herself and her mother, and she can begin to put together the puzzle of her life.
Coincidences and the right people in the right place at the right time move this story along.
I don't think this is as well realised as The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes - with which is tied-in in certain ways- but it was nevertheless still a very enjoyable read.
I'm looking forward to reading Ruth Hogan's fourth novel.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet story of a difficult mother/daughter relationship
A quirky seven year old who can see the dead and has a difficult relationship with her mentally ill mother, turns into a compulsive women who still sees ghosts and believes her mother hated her because she sent her off to boarding school at a young age. After her mother died, Tilda moves into her mom's flat in the same English town in which she spent her happiest years while living at Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel. We get chapters from adult Tilda's perspective, and chapters told from her child's sweet perspective.
One thing I've learned from reading other stories featuring mother/daughter relationships is that these relationships are more complex than either person realizes. This book has some funny parts, romantic parts, tender parts, and sad parts.
A quirky seven year old who can see the dead and has a difficult relationship with her mentally ill mother, turns into a compulsive women who still sees ghosts and believes her mother hated her because she sent her off to boarding school at a young age. After her mother died, Tilda moves into her mom's flat in the same English town in which she spent her happiest years while living at Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel. We get chapters from adult Tilda's perspective, and chapters told from her child's sweet perspective.
One thing I've learned from reading other stories featuring mother/daughter relationships is that these relationships are more complex than either person realizes. This book has some funny parts, romantic parts, tender parts, and sad parts.