Hotel of the Saints

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as previous books
Review: As a serious fan of Ursula Hegi, I was a bit disappointed in this book.

This book is a collection of short stories that stand on their own, but only a couple had her usually great characterizations and observations. However, even those were a bit light from what I am used to from her as an author. Usually, her writing really clicks with me and this book did not to the extent I'm used to. Maybe it's me.

This book seemed to me to be earlier work of a great writer and instead of the most current.

After reading Stones from the River, Floating in my mother's palm, The vision of Emma Blau, Intrusions, Salt dancers and the collection of short stories in Unearned pleasures, I felt this book was not up to par with all the rest. I hope her next is better.

Rating:
Summary: Glimpses into German life
Review: I agree with a previous reviewer that the stories in this collection are not quite on the same level as Hegi's wonderful novels Stones in the River and The Vision of Emma Blau. But as a German woman living in the US, just like the author, I felt a pang of nostalgia reading some of the stories. The 12 year old narrator of A Woman's Perfume tells us she likes to read Gisel and Ursel books, a rather cheesy series for girls - goodness, so did I, and now I am reminded of this embarrassing fact! I had forgotten all about those books! I really appreciate these little tidbits in the stories, it makes them so familiar... Ursula Hegi's writing seems more "German" to me than that of some contemporary "real" Germans, i.e. Germans who have not emigrated to the U.S. Maybe it's just because the German names and references stand out more in an English text, I don't know. Anyway, it's an interesting effect.

Rating:
Summary: Charming, entertaining tales
Review: The stories in Hotel of the Saints are heart-warming and at times, charming. "A Woman's Perfume" stands out particularly, as a complex and well-developed story. However, I couldn't help but feel that the book was dominantly quirky without possessing the true boldness of originality. This is a good book to read over the summer, in the spirit of visiting a favorite aunt and being sent off with lovely baked goods, but nothing too deep happens here. So, somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.