Who were the guests staying in Hotel du Lac?
“It seems to be permanently reserved for women. And for a certain kind of woman. Cast-off or abandoned, paid to stay away, or to do harmless womanly things, like spending money on clothes.”
These were the hotel guests that the novelist Edith Hope spent time with in Hotel du Lac. From strangers to acquaintances, Edith gradually found out the dynamic between the guests and for what reason they were in the hotel.
Whatever were the reasons, there was one common thing. That is woman that does not fit into man’s ego and agenda, is stamped as dysfunction or loser. A woman attractive or not, smart or not, caring or not seems irrelevant at all. This novel is criticizing the social phenomenon, the worth of woman is solely depends on her usefulness to man.
Mr Neville, the attractive middle-aged man, the only male guest was a representative of male figure. He proposed to Edith, with the promise of no love is involved. Her main job was to keep his reputation and keep him out of scandal, he trust her that: “You will fit perfectly into that setting.”
“You make it sound like a job specification, and I have not applied for the job.” Edith replied.
I do not see this novel as anti-marriage nor generalize all man is Mr Neville. Not all marriage looks like business. I know many brilliant married couples do life wonderfully together, till the end of life. However, this does not mean Mr Neville does not exist. There are many Mr or Mrs Neville, read the following statements by Mr Neville, don’t you think it sounds very familiar?
“I have discovered the secret of contentment.”
“It is simply this. Without a huge emotional investment, one can do whatever one pleases…
“You have no idea how promising the world begins to look once you have decided to have it all for yourself. And how much heathier your decisions are once they become entirely selfish.”
Mr Neville’s theory of “contentment” sounds very clever, unfortunately, this destructive philosophy is quite popular today. I said destructive because C.S. Lewis said so in his book The Four Loves, his quotes imprinted on my mind.
“There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.”
– The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
I enjoyed the beautiful autumn scenery writing, I admired the superb observation of every character, especially Mrs Pursey, and I can see the social critique she tried to deliver. Although the book is not my cup of tea, still it is a very well written book and worth talking about, I am glad to have read it.
Listen to The Inn by Franz Schubert
Note:
If you like my writing, one of many ways to let me know about it is to buy me a cup of coffee via:
https://ko-fi.com/thejourneywriter
Every cup of coffee is appreciated. It is for the maintenance fee for the website.
More book review?
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
https://thejourney-writing.com/2023/09/book-review-the-house-of-doors-by-tan-twan-eng.html
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann
https://thejourney-writing.com/2022/08/reading-the-nutcracker-and-the-mouse-king-by-e-t-a-hoffmann.html
Out of the Hitler Time Trilogy by Judith Kerr
https://thejourney-writing.com/2023/11/book-review-out-of-the-hitler-time-trilogy-by-judith-kerr.html
Comments
That quote in the Four Love’s says it all. I have read the book by CS Lewis, it is immensely thought provoking.
Author
Dear Maria, thank you for visiting me and leaving a comment here. Today on Instagram, we talked about the same topic and CS Lewis Four Love was mentioned. How wonderful that we read and inspired by the same book.