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Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast
A pair of endearingly eccentric bachelors--in their fifties, and fraternal twins--own and operate a bed & breakfast establishment where people like them, the "gentle and bookish and ever so slightly confused," can feel at home. Hector and Virgil think of their B&B as a refuge, a retreat, a haven, where folks may bring their own books or peruse the brothers' own substantial library. An antic blend of homespun and intellectual humor, Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast is a place readers will want to return to again and again.
Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast, originally published by Douglas & McIntyre, won Canada's prestigious Stephen Lecock Award for Humour in 1994, and was published in hardcover by A Wyatt Book for St. Martin's Press in 1996. Its sequel, Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast Pillow Book, is a Canadian bestseller, and will be published in hardcover by A Wyatt Book in October 1997.
Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast, originally published by Douglas & McIntyre, won Canada's prestigious Stephen Lecock Award for Humour in 1994, and was published in hardcover by A Wyatt Book for St. Martin's Press in 1996. Its sequel, Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast Pillow Book, is a Canadian bestseller, and will be published in hardcover by A Wyatt Book in October 1997.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
20 people are currently reading
1030 people want to read
About the author
Bill Richardson
78 books51 followersBill Richardson was born and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba on a quiet little street. He admits to being a shy kid, a quality that has carried over into his adulthood. With his two brothers and the neighborhood children, Bill would play hide and seek, red rover and tag. They got into the usual sorts of mischief: garden raids and snowball fights.
Bill has always taken comfort in reading. As a child his tastes were very diverse, ranging from the adventures of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, the Happy Hollisters, and the Enid Blyton books to comics featuring Archie, Richie Rich, Little Lulu, Casper, Batman and Superman. The Alice in Wonderland books were favorites, and he still loves them today.
Bill’s parents also influenced his reading habits at a young age. His mother introduced him to a six-volume set called Our Bookhouse, an anthology of readings from many different sources; and Bill’s father would share his favorite poetry with the family. And Bill took to reading poetry as well: A Child’s Garden of Verses and the A.A. Milne poems. He claims that he didn’t start to read with anything like purpose or intensity until he reached adolescence. Many of the classic children’s books, such as The Wind in the Willows and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, he came to as an adult.
In 1976, Bill received his B.A. from the University of Winnipeg. He went on to pursue a Master of Library Sciences at UBC, graduating in 1980. In 1998, Bill was honored with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Winnipeg. For six years he worked as a children’s librarian.
Bill is well known in Canada as a CBC Radio host. He’s also made many freelance contributions to both network and regional shows. In 1992, Bill began hosting a summer show called Crosswords, which would continue for four years. He next became the guest host of a classical music request show, and when the show moved to Vancouver in 1996, he was chosen as the show’s permanent host; it became known as As You Like It, to reflect Bill’s interest in the music and letters of his audience. In 1997, Bill became the host of a new program, Richardson’s Roundup. The Roundup is very interactive with its listening audience.
Bill has always dabbled at writing. Even as a child he had a vivid presentiment that this is what he would do. His columns have appeared in The Globe and Mail, Western Living Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, and Xtra West Magazine. Bill won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1994.
In 2000, Bill published his first novel for young adults. After Hamelin tells the tale of Penelope, the only child to escape the lure of the infamous Pied Piper. Now grown to the ripe age of 101, the feisty Penelope recounts her fantastic adventure to rescue the other children of her village from the clutches of the nasty Piper. Bill’s wonderful story has gone on to earn more than a dozen awards and nominations.
Bill makes frequent public appearances reading poetry, narrating musical works, giving keynote speeches and signing books. As time slips away, Bill hopes to use as much of it as he can catch. He believes that “if you’re going to write, you damage yourself if you don't pay attention to the ideas that come your way and try to make something of them. It’s a kind of responsibility, which isn’t to say that you’ll write well, but you still need to make the effort.”
Bill has always taken comfort in reading. As a child his tastes were very diverse, ranging from the adventures of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, the Happy Hollisters, and the Enid Blyton books to comics featuring Archie, Richie Rich, Little Lulu, Casper, Batman and Superman. The Alice in Wonderland books were favorites, and he still loves them today.
Bill’s parents also influenced his reading habits at a young age. His mother introduced him to a six-volume set called Our Bookhouse, an anthology of readings from many different sources; and Bill’s father would share his favorite poetry with the family. And Bill took to reading poetry as well: A Child’s Garden of Verses and the A.A. Milne poems. He claims that he didn’t start to read with anything like purpose or intensity until he reached adolescence. Many of the classic children’s books, such as The Wind in the Willows and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, he came to as an adult.
In 1976, Bill received his B.A. from the University of Winnipeg. He went on to pursue a Master of Library Sciences at UBC, graduating in 1980. In 1998, Bill was honored with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Winnipeg. For six years he worked as a children’s librarian.
Bill is well known in Canada as a CBC Radio host. He’s also made many freelance contributions to both network and regional shows. In 1992, Bill began hosting a summer show called Crosswords, which would continue for four years. He next became the guest host of a classical music request show, and when the show moved to Vancouver in 1996, he was chosen as the show’s permanent host; it became known as As You Like It, to reflect Bill’s interest in the music and letters of his audience. In 1997, Bill became the host of a new program, Richardson’s Roundup. The Roundup is very interactive with its listening audience.
Bill has always dabbled at writing. Even as a child he had a vivid presentiment that this is what he would do. His columns have appeared in The Globe and Mail, Western Living Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, and Xtra West Magazine. Bill won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1994.
In 2000, Bill published his first novel for young adults. After Hamelin tells the tale of Penelope, the only child to escape the lure of the infamous Pied Piper. Now grown to the ripe age of 101, the feisty Penelope recounts her fantastic adventure to rescue the other children of her village from the clutches of the nasty Piper. Bill’s wonderful story has gone on to earn more than a dozen awards and nominations.
Bill makes frequent public appearances reading poetry, narrating musical works, giving keynote speeches and signing books. As time slips away, Bill hopes to use as much of it as he can catch. He believes that “if you’re going to write, you damage yourself if you don't pay attention to the ideas that come your way and try to make something of them. It’s a kind of responsibility, which isn’t to say that you’ll write well, but you still need to make the effort.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
July 17, 2018
The weather is nice … I´m feeling generous.
Nothing much happens in this small book, no travel towards a new understanding of the universe, no protagonist(s) setting sail for unknown lands.
Only a tale of two fictional bachelor twins running an equally fictional B&B in some remote corner of Vancouver Island. They have fictional guests, some even regular, fictional neighbors, friends and pets.
However, the tale is delivered with a real feel-good vibe, something that leaves me longing for exactly such a small spot with a build-in library and easy-going atmosphere.
Thus, an otherwise 3½ starish book is lifted up to the fourth dimension.
Nothing much happens in this small book, no travel towards a new understanding of the universe, no protagonist(s) setting sail for unknown lands.
Only a tale of two fictional bachelor twins running an equally fictional B&B in some remote corner of Vancouver Island. They have fictional guests, some even regular, fictional neighbors, friends and pets.
However, the tale is delivered with a real feel-good vibe, something that leaves me longing for exactly such a small spot with a build-in library and easy-going atmosphere.
Thus, an otherwise 3½ starish book is lifted up to the fourth dimension.
April 24, 2021
I almost feel guilty giving this one 3 stars, it's so minor and self-indulgent. but it was such a pleasure at times! this is basically wish fulfillment in novel form. two bachelor twins own a bed & breakfast on a Canadian island full of country types and lesbians from the big city, a community that is also home to a highly opinionated local paper. the brothers' b&b attracts idiosyncratic book-lovers much like the idiosyncratic book-lovin' brothers themselves. there's no plot to speak of, and this isn't really a novel. it's a series of anecdotes and life lessons spun by the sweet-natured brothers alongside various slices-of-life written by their guests. interspersed between are lists of books & authors, and a recipe for muffins. tolerance & kindliness, gentle humor, and plenty of animals are the main items on display. the strongest part is an extended story of a Jewish girl growing up in an anti-semitic environment. that was very moving - and also infuriating, of course. outside of that chapter, the whole thing was really light & cute. I easily forgave its frequent dips into corniness and obviousness. it's a gentle, homespun book and a lovely experience overall. it also helps that I could totally live on this island and be friends with these guys. or, if not that, I could see myself taking an extended stay at their bed & breakfast, helping myself in their kitchen, strolling around the island, reading the days & nights away in the occasional company of other insular, book-lovin' eccentrics, plus a parrot and a cat.
give this book to the alpha male in your life and watch them squirm!
give this book to the alpha male in your life and watch them squirm!
October 16, 2018
A promising premise -- a bed & breakfast on an isolated island near the west coast of Canada where there is little to do but . . . read! So why not a memoir about all the books favoured over the years by the eccentric twin brother hosts and their motley crew of quirky guests? Sure, I thought. Why not?
Alas, the potentially exciting (to a bibliomaniac) literary excursion petered out rather quickly (my anticipated gigantic list of additions to the TBR is actually rather measly). A muffin recipe appeared. Maybe this would morph into a book about cookbooks? Drat. Foiled again! That lonely recipe is doomed to a solitary life within the pages of this tale.
Sad to say, the exciting "book about books" seems to have an identity crisis. It eventually deteriorated into a series of mildly amusing anecdotes (which grew less and less amusing as the pages turned). Even less entertaining was the melancholy grand finale of a solitary twin waxing sentimental during a late November power outage, while his brother -- well, I won't tell you what his brother was doing!
The biggest surprise of all is that this book won the prestigious Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1994. I am delighted that someone thought it was funny.
Alas, the potentially exciting (to a bibliomaniac) literary excursion petered out rather quickly (my anticipated gigantic list of additions to the TBR is actually rather measly). A muffin recipe appeared. Maybe this would morph into a book about cookbooks? Drat. Foiled again! That lonely recipe is doomed to a solitary life within the pages of this tale.
Sad to say, the exciting "book about books" seems to have an identity crisis. It eventually deteriorated into a series of mildly amusing anecdotes (which grew less and less amusing as the pages turned). Even less entertaining was the melancholy grand finale of a solitary twin waxing sentimental during a late November power outage, while his brother -- well, I won't tell you what his brother was doing!
The biggest surprise of all is that this book won the prestigious Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1994. I am delighted that someone thought it was funny.
March 12, 2019
I absolutely loved this cozy little book--what a treat! The characters are all so wonderfully believable and entertaining that you really do feel as though they must be real. Special mention should be paid to the elderly and foul-mouthed parrot named Mrs Rochester. The hilarity of her character alone would be enough to make me recommend this book to someone.
April 21, 2015
I first picked this up about 18 years ago when I was between houses and had no access to my library, then finally moved and life took over. It was so nice to find and re-read it. A pair of twin bachelor brothers tell us about running a bed and breakfast out of their family home. Secure in themselves, Hector and Virgil are happy to learn new skills (Morris dancing and the bassoon) and tend to their guests. Interspersed with commentaries by some of their guests, the book is simply a delight. I regret it took me so long to come back to this one but am ready for the second.
November 1, 2021
A wonderful, peaceful, soothing, humorous, amazingly well-written story of a bed and breakfast owned and run by two brothers. I enjoyed it so much! And am looking forward to starting Book #2 Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast Pillow Book right away!
December 26, 2021
50-something year old twins, Virgil and Hector, run a bed & breakfast on a small island between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. There really isn’t much to do there beyond relax and read. Yet, the B&B has plenty of guests and the brothers are kept busy. This book includes anecdotes from both brothers, as well as some of the people who have stayed with them. Also included are a few “top 10” books (and authors) with various themes.
This is a bit of Canadian humour, parts made me smile and a few even made me laugh. I was ready to rate it “good” and I (mostly) did like it, but more so in the first half. The second half felt like it got a bit too philosophical for my liking. I liked that so many of the top 10 lists included Canadian authors.
This is a bit of Canadian humour, parts made me smile and a few even made me laugh. I was ready to rate it “good” and I (mostly) did like it, but more so in the first half. The second half felt like it got a bit too philosophical for my liking. I liked that so many of the top 10 lists included Canadian authors.
November 21, 2009
I can't begin to tell you how truly special this book is.
Practically like nothing you've read before.
At least it was not like anything I'd ever read.
Not really a novel, more like a series of stories filled with colorful and eccentric characters who flit in and out of the brothers'lives. It is warm, witty, smart, funny, wise, outrageous, charming, intelligent and, well,I could go on and on. Needless to say,I LOVED this book. And also the follow-up BACHELOR BROTHERS'BED & BREAKFAST PILLOW BOOK.
Both books were recommendations of the great Nancy Pearl of
BOOK LUST fame.
Practically like nothing you've read before.
At least it was not like anything I'd ever read.
Not really a novel, more like a series of stories filled with colorful and eccentric characters who flit in and out of the brothers'lives. It is warm, witty, smart, funny, wise, outrageous, charming, intelligent and, well,I could go on and on. Needless to say,I LOVED this book. And also the follow-up BACHELOR BROTHERS'BED & BREAKFAST PILLOW BOOK.
Both books were recommendations of the great Nancy Pearl of
BOOK LUST fame.
March 23, 2022
This book is so wonderful that I have ordered a copy that is signed for my collection, as well as several copies to give away. The story itself is not so much a story as a structure of alternating diary-like entries of the middle-aged twin bachelor brothers who own and run a B&B, and the stories/missives/memories entered into the B&B visitor's book by the guests.
The chapters are set up to go back and forth: Hector and Virgil are the fraternal twins, and their voices alternate with the "Brief Lives" chapters, written by a guest. For the chapters penned by the owners, the chapter title is the name of the writer, and then the subject of the entry (i.e., Virgil: A Little Bit More About Us). The guest inclusions are titled with "Brief Lives", then the writer's name (Brief Lives: Helen). It's quite clever.
Let me give you a taste of the writing and introduce the book with this, an excerpt from the "Prologue: Getting There":
I discovered the Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast when I was in a terrible distracted state of mind. It was a season in hell, the worst of times, a winter of discontent. Work had soured, love had taken a Greyhound out of town, the days were empty husks. I was bereft of purpose. Oh, it was bleak, bleak, bleak. One day, I put myself in the car and simply drove. I had no idea where I was going or why.
Of course, our opening guest arrives at the B&B, where there is a substantial library.
And so it starts: a book about people who love books. The back cover calls the B&B an establishment where people like them, the gentle and bookish and ever so slightly confused, can feel at home. It is meant to be a refuge, retreat, haven where people can refuel by savoring the written word. Sounds like a little slice of heaven, right?
Since there really is no storyline, the book is the perfect collection of related short stories, and can be read at leisure without sacrificing flow or consistency. I took almost a full month to read it, making notes in my reading journal, and thinking about buying another copy simply to write my observations in the margins. This is a book I will open again and again, to any page, and read to the end of that entry, buttressed for another span of time by the feel-good entries.
Highly recommended, and go ahead and buy it. You'll not regret the decision!
The chapters are set up to go back and forth: Hector and Virgil are the fraternal twins, and their voices alternate with the "Brief Lives" chapters, written by a guest. For the chapters penned by the owners, the chapter title is the name of the writer, and then the subject of the entry (i.e., Virgil: A Little Bit More About Us). The guest inclusions are titled with "Brief Lives", then the writer's name (Brief Lives: Helen). It's quite clever.
Let me give you a taste of the writing and introduce the book with this, an excerpt from the "Prologue: Getting There":
I discovered the Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast when I was in a terrible distracted state of mind. It was a season in hell, the worst of times, a winter of discontent. Work had soured, love had taken a Greyhound out of town, the days were empty husks. I was bereft of purpose. Oh, it was bleak, bleak, bleak. One day, I put myself in the car and simply drove. I had no idea where I was going or why.
Of course, our opening guest arrives at the B&B, where there is a substantial library.
And so it starts: a book about people who love books. The back cover calls the B&B an establishment where people like them, the gentle and bookish and ever so slightly confused, can feel at home. It is meant to be a refuge, retreat, haven where people can refuel by savoring the written word. Sounds like a little slice of heaven, right?
Since there really is no storyline, the book is the perfect collection of related short stories, and can be read at leisure without sacrificing flow or consistency. I took almost a full month to read it, making notes in my reading journal, and thinking about buying another copy simply to write my observations in the margins. This is a book I will open again and again, to any page, and read to the end of that entry, buttressed for another span of time by the feel-good entries.
Highly recommended, and go ahead and buy it. You'll not regret the decision!
September 22, 2017
Finally, a Canadian book that isn't all darkness and angst and swearing. Ok there are a couple of swear words but overall this is a wonderful book.
Hector and Virgil (who in my mind is the spitting image of the authour) are middle-aged twin brothers who have turned the house they grew up in into a bed and breakfast on Canada's west coast. The brothers are book lovers who see their home as a retreat for readers. Their guests are welcome to use the brothers' well-stocked library or to bring their own books with them. They cater to people like themselves, the "gentle and bookish and ever so slightly confused". That description alone had me hooked before I even started reading.
There is no plot, just a casual revealing of the brother's personalities and personal lives and the daily routines of the B&B. I have no objection to a good plot, but a book that is character driven has a much better chance of ending up on my "favorite reads" list and this is completely character driven. These endearing and oh-so-humanly flawed brothers move quietly into your world and make you wish they and their reader's retreat were real.
The chapters are written alternately by Hector and Virgil with letters from guests in between. Hector and Virgil write about their lives as innkeepers, their pasts and each other. The guest's letters tell their own stories and fill in details about the setting and the experience of being the brother's guests.
The lovely old house, the surroundings and the simple lifestyle the brothers offer their guests is nothing short of delicious. Reading the book is getting away for a quiet weekend, relaxing and comforting with enough humour to keep it fresh. Amazingly (because it happens often with books like this) it never becomes trite or even worse, cute. The brothers are quite realistic and that makes them all the more appealing.
The cover says "This quiet charmer is a bibliophiles delight" and that's exactly what it is. Other cover quotes say "a funny, cozy tale" and "a whimsically gentle fiction". I couldn't argue with those descriptions either, though the word "cozy" is dangerously close to "cute" and is recklessly overused in describing fiction. I love this book and I love it's witty, intelligent language. I was sorry to come to the last chapter but fortunately there is a sequel. It's called "Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast Pillow Book". A somewhat odd title, but hopefully it will be as good as this one was.
Hector and Virgil (who in my mind is the spitting image of the authour) are middle-aged twin brothers who have turned the house they grew up in into a bed and breakfast on Canada's west coast. The brothers are book lovers who see their home as a retreat for readers. Their guests are welcome to use the brothers' well-stocked library or to bring their own books with them. They cater to people like themselves, the "gentle and bookish and ever so slightly confused". That description alone had me hooked before I even started reading.
There is no plot, just a casual revealing of the brother's personalities and personal lives and the daily routines of the B&B. I have no objection to a good plot, but a book that is character driven has a much better chance of ending up on my "favorite reads" list and this is completely character driven. These endearing and oh-so-humanly flawed brothers move quietly into your world and make you wish they and their reader's retreat were real.
The chapters are written alternately by Hector and Virgil with letters from guests in between. Hector and Virgil write about their lives as innkeepers, their pasts and each other. The guest's letters tell their own stories and fill in details about the setting and the experience of being the brother's guests.
The lovely old house, the surroundings and the simple lifestyle the brothers offer their guests is nothing short of delicious. Reading the book is getting away for a quiet weekend, relaxing and comforting with enough humour to keep it fresh. Amazingly (because it happens often with books like this) it never becomes trite or even worse, cute. The brothers are quite realistic and that makes them all the more appealing.
The cover says "This quiet charmer is a bibliophiles delight" and that's exactly what it is. Other cover quotes say "a funny, cozy tale" and "a whimsically gentle fiction". I couldn't argue with those descriptions either, though the word "cozy" is dangerously close to "cute" and is recklessly overused in describing fiction. I love this book and I love it's witty, intelligent language. I was sorry to come to the last chapter but fortunately there is a sequel. It's called "Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast Pillow Book". A somewhat odd title, but hopefully it will be as good as this one was.
May 11, 2013
I chuckled through this warm and loving book. The stories told and the people introduced tell of warm, interesting, quirky and human times.
The stories of life in a B&B, written & lived by bachelor twin brothers who have lived their entire lives in their secluded and quirky valley, are well-written and often insightful. And always entertaining.
The idea of a B&B set up as a reading recluse for people often too busy in their lives to quietly sit & read is appealing. Somewhere on Vancouver Island this place supposedly exists. I hope to find it one day.
Bill Richardson, who also wrote the funny and interesting Waiting for Gertrude: A Graveyard Gothic, has a way of telling a story. It's like sitting around the campfire, surrounded by warmth and companionship, enjoying the tale as it unfolds.
Mrs. Rochester is a hoot.....a parrot who flew into the attic one day and decided to stay. What better name for a bird found in the attic?!!
The stories of life in a B&B, written & lived by bachelor twin brothers who have lived their entire lives in their secluded and quirky valley, are well-written and often insightful. And always entertaining.
The idea of a B&B set up as a reading recluse for people often too busy in their lives to quietly sit & read is appealing. Somewhere on Vancouver Island this place supposedly exists. I hope to find it one day.
Bill Richardson, who also wrote the funny and interesting Waiting for Gertrude: A Graveyard Gothic, has a way of telling a story. It's like sitting around the campfire, surrounded by warmth and companionship, enjoying the tale as it unfolds.
Mrs. Rochester is a hoot.....a parrot who flew into the attic one day and decided to stay. What better name for a bird found in the attic?!!
June 8, 2011
I decided to re-read this little gem while vacationing on Vancouver Island.
From my original notes:
This is a delightfully witty book about middle-aged twin brothers who run a bed and breakfast on an island off the coast of B.C. It deservedly won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Sadly, the book is fictional, otherwise my reservation at the B&B would be made, and my books would be packed. These vignettes about the brothers, their gentle guests who come to read, and resident pets, Waffle the cat, and Mrs. Rochester the parrot, had me laughing out loud, and smiling broadly in-between. For booklovers, this is a charming book which I highly recommend.
From my original notes:
This is a delightfully witty book about middle-aged twin brothers who run a bed and breakfast on an island off the coast of B.C. It deservedly won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Sadly, the book is fictional, otherwise my reservation at the B&B would be made, and my books would be packed. These vignettes about the brothers, their gentle guests who come to read, and resident pets, Waffle the cat, and Mrs. Rochester the parrot, had me laughing out loud, and smiling broadly in-between. For booklovers, this is a charming book which I highly recommend.
January 11, 2010
I liked it the first time through. I liked it even better the second time. Gently humor made for radio shows. Put a bunch of the shows together and you get a portrait book of a little slice of life on an island in the great northwest and vignettes from people who stay at the Bed and breakfast. It's a little weird how all the people have the same "writing voice", but it's a pleasant one so that's OK.
February 18, 2019
I loved this book! Exquisite writing, and so many fabulous puns. I laughed out lout several times. I only wish it were longer, with a larger overarching story. The characters are quirky, interesting and identifiable, and I would have liked the opportunity to fall in love with them more deeply.
December 22, 2017
I read these out of order but it doesn't matter with these books. The sequel is actual better, which I read first. This books is delightful and fun. Glad I found them. Highly recommend.
March 1, 2026
This just has a heart warming feel to it! Twin brothers run a B & B in a remote part of Vancouver and BC. A tranquil reading destination to get away from the world. There are HILARIOUS antidotes and great characters to enjoy. It will definitely be a re-read down the road.
Possible trigger warnings mentioned:
Cussing
Gay|Lesbian
New Age practices
Possible trigger warnings mentioned:
Cussing
Gay|Lesbian
New Age practices
June 23, 2018
Just ok. The twin Bachelor Brothers of the title, Virgil and Hector, run a small town B&B. They are both voracious readers, and their establishment attracts other readers.
The structure of the novel is each brother taking turns as a narrator, interspersed with the added conceit of excerpts from a "guest book" in which assorted visitors tell snippets from their lives and their visit to the B&B. Their really is no narrative arc. We do get a sense of the brothers, who they are, their characters and background, but the book is really just a series of vignettes and anecdotes. My favorite characters were Waffles the cat and Mrs. Rochester, the parrot. The only interesting human character was their long deceased mother, whose story is told in The first few chapters. The more I read, the less I enjoyed it. I found the writing style seriously irritating, as it was much too self-consciously old-fashioned and deliberately, stiltedly tongue in cheek. (As in 'Wink, wink, aren't these brothers literate and cute?')
This book won some sort of a humor award, but it's no "Prairie Home Companion," though I'm thinking that was the author's inspiration. It was only mildly entertaining. It also reminded me a bit of the Mitford series (small town, sort of timeless, sweet, with eccentric characters) and also of "The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend" (it's a book about books and readers, small town, eccentric characters.) But in my opinion, "Readers of Broken Wheel" was superior, and if I hadn't read that one recently, I might have given this one an extra star. I see it has been rated higher by many folks, who have it good reviews and found it charming. I was not charmed after the first 30 pages.
Mercifully, the book is very short, and after the first half, I skimmed the rest. As said above, I found the style irritating; there was no compelling story; it went nowhere; the characters weren't All that engaging; and their fictional little world quickly became cloying, and wasn't one in which I wanted to spend much time. I really can't recommend it All in all, I found this book far too twee. Unless you adore twee, don't bother.
The structure of the novel is each brother taking turns as a narrator, interspersed with the added conceit of excerpts from a "guest book" in which assorted visitors tell snippets from their lives and their visit to the B&B. Their really is no narrative arc. We do get a sense of the brothers, who they are, their characters and background, but the book is really just a series of vignettes and anecdotes. My favorite characters were Waffles the cat and Mrs. Rochester, the parrot. The only interesting human character was their long deceased mother, whose story is told in The first few chapters. The more I read, the less I enjoyed it. I found the writing style seriously irritating, as it was much too self-consciously old-fashioned and deliberately, stiltedly tongue in cheek. (As in 'Wink, wink, aren't these brothers literate and cute?')
This book won some sort of a humor award, but it's no "Prairie Home Companion," though I'm thinking that was the author's inspiration. It was only mildly entertaining. It also reminded me a bit of the Mitford series (small town, sort of timeless, sweet, with eccentric characters) and also of "The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend" (it's a book about books and readers, small town, eccentric characters.) But in my opinion, "Readers of Broken Wheel" was superior, and if I hadn't read that one recently, I might have given this one an extra star. I see it has been rated higher by many folks, who have it good reviews and found it charming. I was not charmed after the first 30 pages.
Mercifully, the book is very short, and after the first half, I skimmed the rest. As said above, I found the style irritating; there was no compelling story; it went nowhere; the characters weren't All that engaging; and their fictional little world quickly became cloying, and wasn't one in which I wanted to spend much time. I really can't recommend it All in all, I found this book far too twee. Unless you adore twee, don't bother.
December 21, 2015
This is and will always be one of my favourite books. Perfect for those who love books, quirky characters that you gradually get to know, and very dry humour. I have read this book probably 10 times and often give it as a gift to those whom I know have a similar sense of humour. If this place really existed I would be there...a lot!
October 2, 2013
What an amazing thing the mind is! For some reason, this book popped into my mind last night. I read it probably in 1997 or there about. I know I was living in Phoenix & working at the Tempe Public Library. I just remember it as a delightful, quirky book. Think I might read it again. Wonder how many other book titles that I've read are lurking in my 74 year old brain!
June 23, 2017
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and goodness it was delightful! Definitely character-driven rather than plot-driven, but these characters are so endearing you don't want the story to end. I'm so grateful to have been introduced to Virgil and Homer and spent a few days in their world. Recommended.
August 25, 2011
Loved the idea of a B & B dedicated to reading, as well as the lists of author, funny swearing bird, two twin brothers named Virgil and Homer, there were quite a few area that I found a little too dry.
September 24, 2012
I could never quite tell as I was reading if this was meant to be fiction or an actual account of a B&B somewhere. Regardless, the book had some amusing stories (especially the naming of the bird & cat), but I found it very easy to put down.
January 21, 2019
This collection of charming, homespun stories reminded me a bit of The Vinyl Cafe podcast (a personal fav). I enjoyed BACHELOR BROTHERS' BED & BREAKFAST so much that I requested the sequel after reading only 40 pages.
March 31, 2009
Cute book, but some of the stories were kinda boring.
November 27, 2014
A laugh out loud fun read everyone will enjoy.
January 29, 2015
Heartwarming and delightful!
November 10, 2024
Wonderful, warm, witty. An escapist retreat for bookies. A pleasant tale of vacationing away from the crowds, with your favorite books, and one rather nomadic parrot.
February 6, 2021
This charming, very funny little book written by well-known CBC broadcaster Bill Richardson, was published in 1993 and won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour in 1994. Bill originally shared parts of the book on the Vicki Gabereau show in the early 1990s introducing listeners to fiftyish bachelors Hector and Virgil, the unmarried fraternal twins who operate a cozy B and B on one of the islands in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The B and B is located in a pleasant green valley, conveniently surrounded by The Well of Loneliness coffee bar and the Rubyfruit Jungle service station. The brothers aim in starting their business was to provide a quiet relaxing atmosphere for their guests, a place where they could get away from the stresses of modern living and spend time reading. They have a well stocked library filled with the classics and books can be found scattered everywhere throughout the house.
In alternating chapters, Hector and Vergil share stories about their interesting guests and comment on a number of subjects on these journal-like pages. Some contain lists of their favorite books, book reviews and letters from former guests. On other pages, they have penned their thoughts on a number of random subjects. The brothers explore male bonding, the challenges of baking a fruitcake and describe a visit by Liberace, at one time a guest who visited the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, a very rough part of the city.
Vergil is the contemplative one who plays the bassoon while Hector is more energetic and enjoys the company and affections of Altona Winkler, a would-be writer who puts out a small scandal sheet and also sells cosmetics. We are also introduced to Waffles the Cat, and Mrs. Rochester, the elderly resident parrot who has a potty mouth and whose advice often includes the occasional vulgar swearword.
Among the interesting portraits of guests is a group of ladies who meet annually as members of the Jane Austen book club and Helen, who returns every year to read Treasure Island in honour of her husband who was named after the main character Jim Hawkins. Shortly after Helen and Jim's wedding Jim went off to war and never returned.
The B and B is a location where the two brothers can live peacefully together as life partners without the barbs or criticisms of those who may not approve of their lifestyle. Although their sexual orientation is never explicitly explored, there is no need to and Richard leaves it up to the imagination of the reader.
This wonderful little book includes delightful illustrations done by Rose Cowles, Douglas and MacIntyre.
It is a light, funny and entertaining read.
In alternating chapters, Hector and Vergil share stories about their interesting guests and comment on a number of subjects on these journal-like pages. Some contain lists of their favorite books, book reviews and letters from former guests. On other pages, they have penned their thoughts on a number of random subjects. The brothers explore male bonding, the challenges of baking a fruitcake and describe a visit by Liberace, at one time a guest who visited the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, a very rough part of the city.
Vergil is the contemplative one who plays the bassoon while Hector is more energetic and enjoys the company and affections of Altona Winkler, a would-be writer who puts out a small scandal sheet and also sells cosmetics. We are also introduced to Waffles the Cat, and Mrs. Rochester, the elderly resident parrot who has a potty mouth and whose advice often includes the occasional vulgar swearword.
Among the interesting portraits of guests is a group of ladies who meet annually as members of the Jane Austen book club and Helen, who returns every year to read Treasure Island in honour of her husband who was named after the main character Jim Hawkins. Shortly after Helen and Jim's wedding Jim went off to war and never returned.
The B and B is a location where the two brothers can live peacefully together as life partners without the barbs or criticisms of those who may not approve of their lifestyle. Although their sexual orientation is never explicitly explored, there is no need to and Richard leaves it up to the imagination of the reader.
This wonderful little book includes delightful illustrations done by Rose Cowles, Douglas and MacIntyre.
It is a light, funny and entertaining read.
April 19, 2021
A short witty book about bookish people in the modern era. The brothers run a B&B and have various experiences and interesting insights into life. It made me laugh out loud a few times- not something I experience often. The writing is good and the characters endearing.
This is modern writing, like I said. There were a few F-bombs for those who want to know. Several references to alternative lifestyles as well. The book was not trying to foist these things on the reader- only reporting what was there. Still, it normalizes many things that some people don't want to become desensitized to. The whole debate about swear words, etc., is completely ridiculous to those who have completely accepted them and use them regularly. But many, many people still consider them something to be avoided. That's why I include these little buoys of warning about the rough waters ahead. I know I certainly appreciate them when I see them in my reading waters.
What we take into our brains is at least as important as what we take into our bellies.
This is modern writing, like I said. There were a few F-bombs for those who want to know. Several references to alternative lifestyles as well. The book was not trying to foist these things on the reader- only reporting what was there. Still, it normalizes many things that some people don't want to become desensitized to. The whole debate about swear words, etc., is completely ridiculous to those who have completely accepted them and use them regularly. But many, many people still consider them something to be avoided. That's why I include these little buoys of warning about the rough waters ahead. I know I certainly appreciate them when I see them in my reading waters.
What we take into our brains is at least as important as what we take into our bellies.
October 15, 2023
The charming novel has two primary narrators, the 50-ish twins who run the B&B of the title in British Columbia. A fictional visitor to the B&B begins the story with a "Prologue." Nine other narrators have stories, supposedly entries in the B&B's guestbooks called "Brief Lives." Three lists of authors and/or books complement the loosely-organized story: "The Top Ten Authors over Ten Years," "Books for When You're Feeling Low," and "Authors for the Bath."
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