(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“Without realizing it at the time he would be unable to crawl back into his former ‘safe’ life. He had emerged like a butterfly, le papillon. Now he would learn to fly, in fact soar.”
Though twenty-eight-year-old Henry Harris came from a wealthy family, he lacked even the basic social skills. He was home schooled from a young age, and even as an adult, never ventured from his parent’s apartment. His knowledge came from books and watching people from his Manhattan terrace as they passed by.
While reading a literary magazine, he discovered an artists’ retreat in the mountains in the south of France. He decided that this would be the perfect place for him to concentrate on creating poetry.
During his stay at Hôtel Inspiré, Henry encountered his first interactions with people other than his family. He had to converse with a diverse group of eccentrics from around the world. Lacking actual life experiences, he only lived in his head. This caused him to obsess over people instead of focusing on his writing.
Though his time at the retreat was essential to his social development, and quite enjoyable for the reader with all the quirky characters, it was only part of the story. I don’t want to give too much away, but Henry learned to become totally engaged in everyday life.
Though I usually enjoy dark, disturbing reads, this light, well-written story took me in a direction that I didn’t anticipate but fully appreciated. I found myself enjoying Henry’s simple pleasures along with him…and it made me think.
Hôtel Inspiré is a celebration of life, and a needed reminder for all of us.
