Hotel of the Saints: Stories

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.

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.

Hegi's Book "Hotel Of The Saints" cried out to be read from the shelf of an airport bookstore. Almost radiating its fine contents the book immediately invokes a feeling of question just from the title. But once inside, the reader finds an unexpectedly fine rendition in many hues.The book is a collection of short stories, most of which have been previously published in other journals. However, the particular selection of stories holds together in great harmony as a compilation. Hegi has a talent for character development that rivals the greatest of short story writers. In her stories in this book, all between about 5 and 22 pages, Hegi shows an ability that is truly impressive with respect to her proficiency in conveying the character of her story so sensitively and completely.Hegi makes no secret of her German origin or its particular effect on the characters in the book, many of whom are German. She has a pleasant style of using German words, but then immediately translating so no loss of meaning or understanding is felt by the reader. Except in her occasional use of German profanity or a very close cognate, Hegi always provides the user with the German word's translation and does not use the effect too much that it becomes irritating, only as much as she needs, in order to add the flavor she is trying to convey.As one of the outstanding authors writing in America today this work is a fine example of what can be done with precision and imagination. This book is recommended to all lovers of fine and personal short stories.

One morning a little over a month ago, with too much loose change in my pocket and a desire to read something new, I spotted this brightly coloured book in the book shelf of the UN. I picked it up, had never heard of the author, but the title was evocative and as i said, the cover was lovely. And what a lovely book it turned out to be. The author has a beautiful calm and engaging style of prose and captures the reader in the extraordinariness of the ordinariness of which these stories are founded. From stories dealing with domestic abuse, to suicide, to the end of love- this collection creates a palette of characters whose names escape you as you turn the page but whose vision which you have concocted in your head-haunts you and stays with you. For me one of the best stories was suprisingly 'A woman's perfume' which is as much a coming of age story for a young girl, than it is the lost dreams of adulthood.The final story 'Lowers crossing' is heartfelt and compassionate, 'Stolen chocolates' is for me about beauty and acceptance and the two stories 'the doves' and 'for their own survival' have similar themes of freedom. It is a wonderful collection and I feel I have allowed myself to be introduced to another author who I anticipate will inhabit my bookshelf for years to come.