Man Who Lived at the Ritz

by A.E. Hotchner

book

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Aaron Edward Hotchner was an American editor, novelist, playwright, and biographer. He wrote many television screenplays as well as a biography of Ernest Hemingway. He co-founded with Paul Newman the charity food company Newman's Own.

Reviews

[Lyzette Wanzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite pieces of historical fiction. I recommend this for WWII aficionados. The novel takes place in Vichy France. It asks the reader what YOU might do if you found yourself in Philip's position. If you aren't that well-versed in WWII's European theater, particularly in what was occurring in the early 1940s in France, Germany, and America, you may feel a bit untethered, especially from chapter 7 onward. I've read this book numerous times over te years. A portion of the back cover is missing, and all of the pages' borders are yellowed. The spine will probably give snap the next time I read this.

[Ginny Thurston · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was educational and exciting because it did involve real events and real people.The lead character’s reason for having to stay at the Ritz was quite preposterous and the other characters were thinly drawn, but the plot was full of excitement and surprises. The ending seemed a bit sentimental, contrived, and incomplete.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A. E. Hotchner, RDC-M #2, 1982, @ 1982, 1/87. A novel about a man living in the Ritz Hotel in Paris during the 1940 German Occupation, and his association with Coco Chanel and somefamous ex-pats, and with Nazi Hermann Goering. Lots of history and lots of real people, but the characterization of the hero and the plot left much to be desired. I didn't like it.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended too soon. Felt like I was left hanging. I still gave it 4 stars because it
was an exciting read ( although more than a bit graphic is parts).