(Reviewed by JD Jung)
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The comical 1941 out-of-print memoir of author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans (1898- 1962) has just been re-released by Puskin Press. Bemelmans would later write the Madeline children’s book series. However, this memoir covers his few years after coming to the United States to work at an upscale New York hotel. He calls it Hotel Splendide.
This story is hilarious from the start and never lets up, as we learn that the klutzy Ludwig has been assigned to be busboy for the worst waiter, the Frenchman Mespoulets. In turn, they are assigned to the tables of the worse customers. The humor and charm continue as Ludwig eventually becomes an assistant manager in the banquet department.
From his own perspective, Bemelmans amusingly relates the everyday life of the employees on and off work, as well as some of the customers. Each character has an eccentricity about them, like the womanizing magician and palm reader Professor Maurice Gorylescu who performs at the hotel several evenings a week. We soon figure out the hierarchy of the hotel dining staff at the direction of the demanding Maître d’ hotel, Monsieur Victor.
This story is not only humorous but endearing as well. We feel for many of the characters, who are recent immigrants to the United States, like Fritzl, the homesick busboy. In fact, we see a thoughtful side of immigration for us to learn from, though I doubt that it was Bemelmans’ intention.
Hotel Splendid is a short, captivating, and well-written memoir that takes us back to early twentieth century New York with all its aristocracy and excess. It also shows a class of people just trying to make a decent life for themselves.
