I recently rewatched “Grand Hotel” (1932), directed by Edmund Goulding and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
The story is full of heart-tugging scenarios from a variety of characters that travel in and out of this marvelous hotel. One of the hotel’s permanent residents ironically observes that, “People coming, going—nothing ever happens.”
But a great deal transpires throughout the movie.
Nantucket Nirvana
When I mentioned to my 30-something son and his girlfriend that I was reading Elin Hilderbrand’s “Hotel Nantucket,” she smiled. “I’ve read all of her books, they’re wonderful.”At that point, I wasn’t very far into the book and actually not familiar with the author.
As it turns out, Hilderbrand has lived for decades in Nantucket and has a long string of previous books to her credit. “Hotel Nantucket” is her latest and marks her 28th novel.
I was even more impressed when I finished this very satisfying read that’s full of summertime scandals which, like the guests in the Grand Hotel, all have their own heart-tugging stories.
The Hotel Nantucket has seen finer days. In fact, Gilded Age days—but a fire in 1922 changes that, leaving the hotel to mediocrity and neglect and eventually abandonment.
To add to the misfortune, a 19-year-old chambermaid, Grace Hadley, is killed in the fire. Not only killed, but murdered. Her spirit, longing to see justice served, haunts the hotel. But don’t let the prospect of a ghoulish apparition keep you from reading.
Grace is hardly malevolent. Her shenanigans are harmless. Her character plays a pivotal role in the hotel’s rejuvenation and renewal.
You Go, Girl!
The main heroine is Lizbet Keaton, a darling in the Nantucket restaurant world, who is hired as the general manager of the hotel. She’s fresh out of a relationship gone south and more than ready for her second act.The owner, London billionaire Xavier Darling, has exacting standards and is on a mission to be awarded the coveted 5-keys rating from Hotel Confidential, a social media platform that has gained worldwide recognition for its reviews.
Keaton assembles a charismatic but mostly inexperienced staff to turn the fate of the hotel around. She firmly believes that it can be resurrected, its tainted image restored to its former glory, and all challenges overcome.
The season is summer, and you can feel the heat, not only when you step outside the hotel, but also from the rising temperatures of the staff, guests, and former and current lovers.
Keaton does her best to keep it all together; here is where Hilderbrand’s mastery of character development, emotional depth, and ability to have multiple viewpoints shines.
Characters, plots, and subplots among the staff and guests are introduced in rapid succession, mirroring the often-frenzied nature of checking in and checking out clients. The action is nonstop and punctuated by clever and contemporary dialogue.
The veneer of the Hotel Nantucket is sumptuous. Seemingly a serene paradise at the edge of town, it comes with a celebrity chef-run restaurant, The Blue Bar, also an idyllic spa-like wellness center, and suites complete with libraries, “emperor” size beds, and lush hydrangea-blue cashmere blankets.
But there is plenty of drama behind the doors. There are many harbored secrets. Ultimately, all is revealed.
Keaton swirls in a sea of romantic uncertainty. She’s driven and very competitive. She’s also kind-hearted and has good instincts about her collected crew.
Does she find love and happiness? Is the Hotel Nantucket doomed to failure? What of the allusive 5-key rating?
This is a page turner. Once a character and situation are introduced, the reader will want to know what happens. You will find yourself caring about these people; they are at the heart of the story. They come to life in all their diversity and vibrancy.
The Blue Book
As the general manager, Keaton puts together what she calls, “The Blue Book.” It is a guide to what Nantucket has to offer in terms of restaurants, gift shops, things to do and see, and the best place to get your “morning buns” or a special bottle of wine.At the end of the novel, Hilderbrand offers her readers an addendum: The Blue Book. Admittedly not comprehensive, it is her recommendations along with personal experiences at many of Nantucket’s businesses.
It adds a lot of authenticity to many of the places that are mentioned throughout the book. If you haven’t, I suspect that you will want to visit Nantucket after reading Hilderbrand’s book.
A Beauty of a Beach Read
Summertime officially ends soon. Fall starts in mid-September. This isn’t a heavy political read. It’s not history, although readers will get a hint of historical reality in the restoration of an old hotel.I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say that Hilderbrand can wear a gold crown. She’s a queen when it comes to escapist fiction. And that’s what this is. And perhaps that’s what we need: A momentary break, and a time to refresh as a new season begins.
"The Hotel Nantucket" by Elin Hilderbrand tells the mystery and goings-on of a special hotel on Nantucket Island. Back Bay Books
‘The Hotel Nantucket’
By Elin Hilderbrand
Back Bay Books, June 14, 2022
Hardcover: 416 pages
