Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-waiting-house"

THE WAITING HOUSE: A Novel in Stories by Lisette Brodey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Lisette Brodey's "The Waiting House: A Novel in Stories" is a fascinating book that grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me interested throughout. There are so many extraordinary characters and the author's sharp wit is expertly woven throughout the narrative. Although it's a collection of short stories, they are interlinked, so it is indeed a novel following the lives of the motley group of characters.

The stories are set in a building that used to be a popular hotel for those who enjoyed the Hollywood lifestyle but it is now home to various people who are all 'waiting' for something or someone. There are major characters, including Ava Elisabeth, Conrad, Darah, whose stories are central to the main story running through this novel. There are also many more minor players who add their own charm and intrigue to the tale. There are elements of magical realism in many of the stories; fantastical tales that use imagery to illustrate the characters' lives. There are also some strange and odd events and characters that add to the metaphorical nature of the storytelling.

I have seen some reviewers call this a masterpiece, and I think it is. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it, and it is full of surprises. It's the kind of book that you don't want to put down and that you don't want to end.

The author describes the rooms in the hotel and the characters in a way that brings them to life and adds to the feeling that these could be real people and this place could really exist. There is an innate understanding of human behaviour and relationships.

I could imagine this book being made into a film. It would be great to see all of these characters on the screen and watch the story unfold.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for an immersive read and something a bit different.



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