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Colazione all'Hotel Déjà-Vu
Bobby Wansbeck è appena arrivato nel grazioso albergo di un'assolata località del Mediterraneo, felice di potersi godere un periodo di riposo dopo una brutta malattia. L'occasione perfetta anche per iniziare a lavorare alla sua autobiografia, nella quale Bobby potrà dare la propria versione riguardo allo scandalo che ha rovinato la sua carriera di dirigente politico. Per anni, infatti, si è appropriato di fondi pubblici e ha goduto di privilegi illegali, senza grossi dissidi con la propria coscienza. Del resto, come è sua intenzione ricordare nel libro, si è trattato di un incidente di percorso all'interno di un sistema che era la norma per tutti. Iniziare a scrivere e ricordare è però più difficile del previsto. Inoltre, c'è un particolare seccante: per vari giorni Bobby perde la colazione. Ogni volta che esce dalla sua stanza, infatti, viene distratto dall'incontro con una giovane donna e un bambino dalle sembianze stranamente familiari. Cosa gli ricordano la voce della donna e il broncio del piccolo che non vuole lasciare l'hotel e perché, a parte loro, l'albergo sembra essere completamente deserto? Attraverso un sapiente intreccio di atmosfere che alternano suspense e umorismo nero, Paul Torday ha ritratto i cattivi costumi dei politici di oggi e la decadenza di una società in disfacimento, in un'amara riflessione che trascende la cronaca per trasformarsi in grande letteratura.
127 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2011
34 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Paul Torday
15 books176 followersPaul Torday burst on to the literary scene in 2007 with his first novel, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, an immediate international bestseller that has been translated into 28 languages and has been made into a film starring Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Blunt. His subsequent novels, THE IRRESISTIBLE INHERITANCE OF WILBERFORCE, THE GIRL ON THE LANDING, THE HOPELESS LIFE OF CHARLIE SUMMERS, MORE THAN YOU CAN SAY, THE LEGACY OF HARTLEPOOL HALL and LIGHT SHINING IN THE FOREST, were all published to great critical acclaim. He was married with two sons by a previous marriage, had two stepsons, and lived close to the River North Tyne. He died at home in December 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 28, 2017
Breakfast at the Hotel Déjà Vu is a novella by award-winning British author, Paul Torday. Former British MP, Bobby Wansbeck has come to a Mediterranean hotel for some rest and recuperation. While he’s doing that, he plans to write his memoir: he wants to share what thirty years as a backbencher, working hard for his constituency, was like. He’s sure people will be interested, even if he was forced to stand down over an expenses scandal (just an accounting error, really!)
But, as wonderful as the hotel is, there’s something strange going on: the work he’s sure he’s done on his memoir is not there; he keeps seeing the same mother and young son in the lobby; the attention of the staff is difficult to attract; and he never seems to be able to get breakfast. As Bobby thinks back on his less-than-stellar career, the reader is treated to a tale both very English and very topical. When the axe finally falls for Bobby, he is, at the same time, arrogant, naïve, guilt-ridden and using a very selective memory to rationalise his actions.
Torday gives some of his characters lines that border on tongue-in-cheek: there’s plenty of humour, a dash of intrigue and some marvellous descriptive prose. The astute reader will guess the twist early on, but this does not detract from the enjoyment of the story. A very enjoyable read.
But, as wonderful as the hotel is, there’s something strange going on: the work he’s sure he’s done on his memoir is not there; he keeps seeing the same mother and young son in the lobby; the attention of the staff is difficult to attract; and he never seems to be able to get breakfast. As Bobby thinks back on his less-than-stellar career, the reader is treated to a tale both very English and very topical. When the axe finally falls for Bobby, he is, at the same time, arrogant, naïve, guilt-ridden and using a very selective memory to rationalise his actions.
Torday gives some of his characters lines that border on tongue-in-cheek: there’s plenty of humour, a dash of intrigue and some marvellous descriptive prose. The astute reader will guess the twist early on, but this does not detract from the enjoyment of the story. A very enjoyable read.
March 3, 2017
Given my previous enjoyment of some of Paul Torday's quirky prose, Breakfast at the Hotel Déjà vu, consisting of approximately one hundred pages, was something of a disappointing read, largely because the twist in the tale is so poorly disguised. This is the story of former Conservative MP Robert (Bobby) Wansbeck and his lifetime spent in politics as he muses on how he has always felt it predetermined that he would follow in his father's footsteps and meet with disgrace. Facing his final days after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Bobby has taken to a Mediterranean hotel to transcribe his thoughts on a career spent as a longstanding and reliable backbench MP. However Bobby's legacy has been tainted by his links to the expenses scandal and as he details how he fell in love with political power he seems to be trying to convince himself that he was indeed a man of integrity, something which proves remarkably difficult. Reflections on mortality, his marriage and the father he never knew follow, but aside from a few witty comments attempting to justify his "accounting error" this is an uninspiring and turgid recounting of misguided memories, a disgraced career and a full circle reconnection with the father he struggles to remember. Torday writes well but this is an unenlightening read which fails to stir the senses in the way that his early novels do and I would struggle to recommend as a gripping and suspenseful short story.
June 14, 2014
True to his style, this novella is satirical and disconcerting. It also presents a depth that is not immediately apparent.
There is this seemingly simple introspection story of a disgraced MP escaping to a hotel. Then there is a disconcerting bit that was slightly creepy to read about. The pacing was definitely slow in the middle but Torday's writing flows so smoothly from word to word soldiering through the slowness was not too difficult. (I was probably a little impatient because I don't enjoy suspense)
This is definitely a satire at its core and what I like most about Torday's satires is that he writes with irony but never derision. Torday is clever but not excessively sharp or hurtful. He is also rather sympathetic towards his characters and this really works well for the story. This novella is short but laced with plenty of subtle jokes.
The title of the book is a subtle joke at its finest, but I feel bad for finding it funny. If you know what I mean.
There is this seemingly simple introspection story of a disgraced MP escaping to a hotel. Then there is a disconcerting bit that was slightly creepy to read about. The pacing was definitely slow in the middle but Torday's writing flows so smoothly from word to word soldiering through the slowness was not too difficult. (I was probably a little impatient because I don't enjoy suspense)
This is definitely a satire at its core and what I like most about Torday's satires is that he writes with irony but never derision. Torday is clever but not excessively sharp or hurtful. He is also rather sympathetic towards his characters and this really works well for the story. This novella is short but laced with plenty of subtle jokes.
The title of the book is a subtle joke at its finest, but I feel bad for finding it funny. If you know what I mean.
December 25, 2017
Great writer. But, a frosty sad tale - from the first moments in a hotel devoid of people save for repeated sightings of a woman and her son, always moving away, I knew where it was going. It was well conceived and written with a gorgeous simplicity, but it loses stars for having such a limpid wishy-washy central character. Overall if felt like a lifeless end-of-life story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2016
He knew that for the last thirty years he had presented himself as an honest man when he had been nothing of the sort. He knew that, if he told nobody else the truth, he had at least to be honest with himself, as far as he was able. He knew that there had been a choice. And he thought that his life could have turned out quite differently, if he had chosen differently. He knew that guilt had been corroding him for years, and that underneath his smooth outer surface there was very little of the original Bobby Wansbeck left.
A former politician who fell from grace due to the expenses scandal and then suffered some serious health problems, arrives at an unspoiled mediterranean hotel for a few weeks of relaxation. He mulls over the past and makes several attempts to start writing his memoirs, starting from a different angle each time, and keeps seeing the same mother and child on his way down to breakfast.
A former politician who fell from grace due to the expenses scandal and then suffered some serious health problems, arrives at an unspoiled mediterranean hotel for a few weeks of relaxation. He mulls over the past and makes several attempts to start writing his memoirs, starting from a different angle each time, and keeps seeing the same mother and child on his way down to breakfast.
January 8, 2012
When writing this review I have changed my rating from one star to two stars, as it wasn't awful. It was readable, it just wasn't me.
I bought this novella from Amazon to try something new and I didn't like it. I found it pretty hard going and didn't really like the writing style.
It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my type of book and I won't read any more from the author.
I bought this novella from Amazon to try something new and I didn't like it. I found it pretty hard going and didn't really like the writing style.
It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my type of book and I won't read any more from the author.
April 22, 2012
It's interesting to see what mixed reviews this novella has received. I really enjoyed it. The idea was clever and I thgouth the whole story hung together really well.
If you like Paul Torday's other books I think you'll like this.
If you like Paul Torday's other books I think you'll like this.
January 3, 2012
More good stuff from Torday. I love his ability to stir very contemporary subjects and characters into slightly skewed fiction.
June 6, 2012
Short enjoyable read. MP caught up in an expenses scandal, finds himself at a hotel on The Med to write his memoirs. Alas, all is not what it seems- who are the mysterious lady and young boy
July 4, 2017
Interesting novella, addressing the topic of reflecting on life towards the end of it, in a creative way. Bobby Clarke has checked in to a Mediterranian hotel and looks back on his life, intending to write a memoir setting the record straight. He has worked hard for his constituency as an MP, backbencher, the expenses scandal that cost him his job should not be all he is remembered for. But Bobby made a habit of hiding, just as the hotel staff seems to hide when he needs food or drink. Bobby hid behind his mother's dismissiveness of his father, he hid behind his father-in-law who advanced his career for him and who showed him how to work the system to increase his income, he hid from his wife meeting her demands but never telling her how he feels. And now in the end, he hides from his doctor, not facing the bad news he has been told. The hotel stay seems to be a metaphore for his life and brings him right back to the moment where it took an all-decisive turn.
April 7, 2021
A 3.5.
An interesting novella mixing the semi-tragic mundanity of a man repeating his father's fraudulent actions with a life in limbo/walking into the light realisation within the confines of a "hotel".
I enjoyed the style of the writing, descriptive whilst reasonably succinct. The characterisations are cleverly layered, without using stereotypes. The hero is a normal, uncomplicated type, nothing out of the ordinary and knows it. And yet there is a great deal of charm within the hotel, the possibility of rebirth and starting anew are all around
An interesting novella mixing the semi-tragic mundanity of a man repeating his father's fraudulent actions with a life in limbo/walking into the light realisation within the confines of a "hotel".
I enjoyed the style of the writing, descriptive whilst reasonably succinct. The characterisations are cleverly layered, without using stereotypes. The hero is a normal, uncomplicated type, nothing out of the ordinary and knows it. And yet there is a great deal of charm within the hotel, the possibility of rebirth and starting anew are all around
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2023
Took numerous bites at reading this over several months, and I felt a bit confused - it seemed like I was re-reading the same chapter, but the penny eventually dropped. Overall a sad tale, and one that tugs at the heart strings, knowing that the author personally had to deal with the theme of the book before he passed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2018
Strange about Bobby a politician going back to the hotel when he is dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2018
La memoria, il passato, il ciclo della vita inteso come un cerchio. E' un romanzo strano, emozionante, scritto con leggerezza ma toccante.
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May 26, 20213 1/2 Stars
A fairly well written story which comes to an unsatisfactory end really. The poorest Paul Torday book I have read.
A fairly well written story which comes to an unsatisfactory end really. The poorest Paul Torday book I have read.
October 19, 2020
I really enjoyed the first half of this book . Felt it was an interesting story line and had some nuances of Alexander McCall Smith humour & writing style. However I got to 70% and it just fizzled out and ended . The rest of the 30% was the start of another book!
What happened ? I thought there may be a father-son reunion .... uncovering more of the past and changing the future . But it just clarified the deja vue and ended .
I think in the end it turned out the hotel was a dream or place after death for Bobby ?
What happened ? I thought there may be a father-son reunion .... uncovering more of the past and changing the future . But it just clarified the deja vue and ended .
I think in the end it turned out the hotel was a dream or place after death for Bobby ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2014
When this e-novella was advertised as a bargain at only 0.99 cents, I thought it was a great way to get acquainted with Paul Torday's writing. I have no regrets purchasing this story, although I am not entirely sure whether it served its purpose as an introduction to Torday's work.
The concept of the story is more than sound and the narrative well written. From the start, it is clear to the reader that Bobby is an older man, suffering (or recovering?) from an ailment, who has left the mess of his day-to-day life behind in order to rearrange his thoughts. Every other chapter is dedicated to the past, in which he finds himself climbing up the political career ladder (but not too high), thanks to his wealthy and politically powerful father-in-law. When Bobby finds himself a bit short on cash - mostly because of his demanding wife - he follows the example of his co-workers and starts putting in claims for fictional expenses. The irony lies in Bobby portraying himself as an honest, dependable man in his campaigns. Several years later, when he is among those who are exposed in the nation's parliamentary expenses scandal, it appears that karma has caught up with him.
This, unfortunately, is where it becomes problematic for me. On the one hand, our protagonist admits to himself that he has been in the wrong all those years, the guilt literally eating away at him. But on the other hand, he keeps up the farce by denying any knowledge of and therefore responsibility for his expense claims. Mrs Wansbeck, the insufferable Margaret, displays mood swings like there is no tomorrow. Sometimes she reacts quite distressed at the threat of losing her lifestyle, at other times she acts like the scandal will simply blow over. While I understand that both Bobby and Margaret are representations of realistic people, their behaviour only stirred up feelings of dislike and annoyance in me.
Then there's the question of the hotel. Bobby's feelings of déjà vu - and those of the reader - quickly increase page after page. The eeriness of never actually finding someone creeps up on you, just as the strange familiarity of the young woman and her son (didn't the very same conversation occur the day before?), and Bobby never actually making any progress on his memoirs.
The final clues are given in the last chapters, leaving the reader with a chill down his or her spine. In a way, the ending is more than appropriate, but I just could not help feeling a little disappointed. Bobby's fate may be cruel, but I never had more than a mild interest in him. Other writers have had better success at sketching out credible characters that the reader can identify with.
The concept of the story is more than sound and the narrative well written. From the start, it is clear to the reader that Bobby is an older man, suffering (or recovering?) from an ailment, who has left the mess of his day-to-day life behind in order to rearrange his thoughts. Every other chapter is dedicated to the past, in which he finds himself climbing up the political career ladder (but not too high), thanks to his wealthy and politically powerful father-in-law. When Bobby finds himself a bit short on cash - mostly because of his demanding wife - he follows the example of his co-workers and starts putting in claims for fictional expenses. The irony lies in Bobby portraying himself as an honest, dependable man in his campaigns. Several years later, when he is among those who are exposed in the nation's parliamentary expenses scandal, it appears that karma has caught up with him.
This, unfortunately, is where it becomes problematic for me. On the one hand, our protagonist admits to himself that he has been in the wrong all those years, the guilt literally eating away at him. But on the other hand, he keeps up the farce by denying any knowledge of and therefore responsibility for his expense claims. Mrs Wansbeck, the insufferable Margaret, displays mood swings like there is no tomorrow. Sometimes she reacts quite distressed at the threat of losing her lifestyle, at other times she acts like the scandal will simply blow over. While I understand that both Bobby and Margaret are representations of realistic people, their behaviour only stirred up feelings of dislike and annoyance in me.
Then there's the question of the hotel. Bobby's feelings of déjà vu - and those of the reader - quickly increase page after page. The eeriness of never actually finding someone creeps up on you, just as the strange familiarity of the young woman and her son (didn't the very same conversation occur the day before?), and Bobby never actually making any progress on his memoirs.
The final clues are given in the last chapters, leaving the reader with a chill down his or her spine. In a way, the ending is more than appropriate, but I just could not help feeling a little disappointed. Bobby's fate may be cruel, but I never had more than a mild interest in him. Other writers have had better success at sketching out credible characters that the reader can identify with.
December 16, 2012
I enjoyed reading this quirky short story, which was unmistakeably Torday in style. It was well-written and a very easy read, but I felt the story could have been spun out into a longer novel, as it ended rather abruptly. The last few chapters were something of a mad gallop to the end, and the outcome was consequently rather predictable - hence I'm only giving this book 3 stars.
January 14, 2012
Disappointing effort of what was a very promising subject. Despite the first 4 chapters of the new book being included - surprisingly very readable in comparison - I doubt I'd rush to read any more of Torday's work.
January 4, 2013
An interesting novella told in the first person. It travels around the life of an MP and his downfall and the hotel in which he has booked himself after his illness. Not a total surprise in the ending but it wasn't till about half way through that you got the clue of where the tale was going.
January 7, 2012
Bought it on a whim as it was £0.99 on Amazon. Not bad, a little sad, good ending.
April 13, 2012
Really disappointing and has now put me off reading more of Torday
January 20, 2013
3.5/5*
It's not bad at all. Really.
It's not bad at all. Really.
April 5, 2013
Good train journey read as just a novella.
June 22, 2013
Great story from the author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
October 20, 2013
The story gets a bit repetitive. Nice and surprising ending.
August 19, 2014
Guessed the end early but a good read all the same.
January 1, 2023
Assolutamente da leggere. Splendido
March 19, 2014
Curious time-warping novella. Interesting little read; light yet thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews