"The Hotel New Hampshire" By John Irving

Описание: "The Hotel New Hampshire" is a novel written by John Irving, published in 1981. The story is told from the perspective of the Berry family and follows their lives through several decades, as they experience love, loss, and the search for identity.

The novel begins with the Berry family, a middle-class family living in New Hampshire, who decide to open a hotel after the father loses his job. The hotel, named the Hotel New Hampshire, is a quirky and eccentric place, with a range of oddball guests and staff. The family's fortunes are shaped by the hotel, as they struggle to make it a success and keep it running.

The main characters in the novel are the Berry family. The father, Win, is a former coach and teacher who loses his job and decides to open the hotel. The mother, Mary, is a strong-willed and determined woman who helps to run the hotel. The children include Franny, the eldest daughter who is a feminist and a writer; John, the eldest son who is a would-be boxer; Lilly, the middle daughter who is a talented pianist; and Egg, the youngest son who is the narrator of the story.

The novel explores themes of family, identity, and the search for love and acceptance. The Berry family is a close-knit group, but they are also complex and flawed individuals who struggle to understand and accept themselves and each other. The hotel serves as a metaphor for the family, as they all work to keep it running and make it a success, despite the challenges they face.

As the story progresses, the characters go through a series of trials and tribulations. Franny and John both fall in love with the same woman, Susan, who becomes a central figure in the story. Lilly is raped by one of the hotel's guests, and the family must come to terms with the trauma and the impact it has on her. The hotel itself is also affected by a series of tragedies, including a fire, a bombing, and a murder.

One of the most striking elements of the novel is the way in which Irving uses humor to explore serious themes. The characters are often comically drawn, and the situations they find themselves in are often absurd. However, beneath the humor is a deep sense of tragedy and loss.

Overall, "The Hotel New Hampshire" is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores the human condition through the lives of the Berry family. The novel is filled with memorable characters, vivid imagery, and a unique sense of humor. It is a powerful and moving story of love, loss, and the search for identity.