36 pages • 1 hour read
The Glass Hotel
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Book Brief
302
Novel • Fiction
Vancouver Island • Contemporary
2020
Knopf
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel follows the life of Vincent, who is deeply affected by her mother's disappearance and becomes involved with Jonathan Alkaitis, a financier running a massive Ponzi scheme. The novel explores themes of capitalism and economic disparity, leading up to Vincent’s mysterious disappearance from a shipping vessel. The book grapples with topics such as addiction, loss, and the emotional impact of financial ruin.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
200,992 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Emily St. John Mandel's The Glass Hotel receives praise for its immersive narrative and richly developed characters, weaving a complex story of deceit and moral ambiguity. However, some readers find its nonlinear structure confusing. The evocative prose and thematic depth generally overshadow any structural criticisms, affirming Mandel's literary prowess.
Who Should Read The Glass Hotel?
Readers who appreciate intricate narratives and character-driven plots will enjoy Emily St. John Mandel's The Glass Hotel. Fans of Station Eleven by the same author, as well as those who enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt or A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, will find similar appeal in this novel.
200,992 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jonathan Alkaitis
Jonathan Alkaitis
A wealthy financier whose primary emotional attachments are to his birth family and first wife, yet who treats Vincent more as an ornamental possession than a partner.
Paul
Paul
Vincent's half-brother, whose life is largely defined by his relationship to her, with his personal struggles leading him to appropriate the work of others.
Olivia
Olivia
A former artist and one of Alkaitis's victims, who represents the humanity impacted by his crimes and signifies the fading allure of past beauty.
Leon Prevant
Leon Prevant
A former shipping executive who becomes unexpectedly embroiled in the aftermath of Vincent's story, finding his own life altered dramatically.
The Glass Hotel was a finalist for the prestigious Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2020, underscoring its critical acclaim in the literary community.
The novel explores themes of economic collapse and personal isolation, which Emily St. John Mandel developed further during the global pandemic, reflecting its eerie prescience.
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Emily St. John Mandel has stated in interviews that the idea for The Glass Hotel emerged out of her interest in financial crimes, specifically the infamous Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.
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302
Novel • Fiction
Vancouver Island • Contemporary
2020
Knopf
Adult
18+ years
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