I found this a remarkably unsatisfying read. It’s disjointed and although in some respects it’s a straight-forward narrative – the childhood and youth of two sisters – the change of person from 1st to 3rd and back again, and at one point a change of name for both girls left me floundering and wondering if I was missing something. The basic story is fairly compelling. Remi and Eve rule their two daughters with iron fists, demanding total submission, obedience and conformity to their will. The younger daughter marries as soon as possible to escape, but the elder finds her redemption through education, which she embarks on against her parents’ wishes. In spite of her oppressive and loveless upbringing, she longs for her mother’s love and tries until the bitter end to gain it. So far, so interesting. But the writing alienates rather than drawing the reader in, and for me what should have been a poignant tale of a daughter’s loss just didn’t come off.

This sounded like it might be a very interesting read, but no. Too disjointed for me and I like quirky reads. But I am sure it will find it's readers, just not for me.

Although this is the first book I have read by the author, I am familiar with her name and her many titles. I found this book confusing and wonder if the translation is, in part, responsible for the inconsistencies throughout. The book begins in the first person and in the middle of Chapter 4 switches to the 3rd person. Then, in Chapter 5, the perspective changes back to the first person. Later in the chapter, the names of the two sisters change inexplicably from Gigi and Lola to Lorraine and Evelyne. Every time there is a hint of something interesting happening the thread ends and is never developed. Finally, I think the plot is moving forward when I read "The words come." Unfortunately, that's the end of the book.

<p>I've slacked on this review. I finished this book ages ago. Conclusion: the book exists. You get the feeling that it's meant to be read as a physical copy, poorly bound, in a café, with a cigarette, and other literati around, reading the same or other slim novellas. A few of them are Marxists. Coffee is black and strong. Everything is in black-and-white. There may be berets. Someone should pound their fist on the table.</p>

<p>I, on the other hand, read this book on a kobo on an airplane. So ... yeah ...</p>

<p>Nothing much happens. I mean, obviously a lot happens if you just list all the things that happen (her parents own a store, they sell their store, they buy another store, they buy a hotel, they move to the country, she goes to university, etc.) but it's still a <i>nothing happens</i> sort of book. The conflicts are petty (overbearing father, ineffective mother, dismissive sister, loser boyfriend) and unsubstantial. It's all sort of abstractly interesting, like an art house film. I like some art house films, but I also tend to forget stories without strong plots, and I think <A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19804534/book/145501528">The Four Roads Hotel</a> is going to be one of those ones I end up forgetting I even read it. </p>

<p><A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19804534/book/145501528">The Four Roads Hotel</a> by France Théoret went on sale October 1, 2017.</p>

<p><small>I received a copy free from <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> in exchange for an honest review.</small></p>

This is a strange but compelling short novella.
Translated from the French language by Luise von Flotow, the author France Theoret is a leading poet, writer, teacher and feminist in Canada and the story is set in both the city of Montreal and a more rural dead beat isolated village of Saint Colomban where the family in the novel move to run a hotel situated at the intersection of four roads.
The narrator Evelyne has a younger sister Lorraine and they live with their strict parents, mother Eva and father Remi. Growing up the sisters are more servants than daughters helping to run the family business, allowed only reluctantly to attend a school run by nuns and with only the mother's ambition that they find a man and a house.
Remi is an unpleasant bully to both his wife and his daughters. As you might imagine from a feminist author men don't come out of the novel very well. However neither do Evelyne's sister or mother and the reluctance for any sign of motherly affection filters through the lives it seems of all the characters.
The writing is taut and although there is little landscape setting or direct dialogue beyond the thoughts of Evelyne the book does pull you into wanting to know the outcome. Not very upbeat - particularly for young girls and those who seek education -"An adolescent who read was refusing reality" is one memorable quote! But when adolescent girls grow up maybe there is hope? Not so sure the author thinks so.......