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The Prince Rupert Hotel for the Homeless: A True Story of Love and Compassion Amid a Pandemic
‘There will be an avalanche of books about the pandemic. None will be as eye-opening or humane or moving as Lamb’s’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
A story of poverty, generosity and worlds colliding in modern Britain
When Covid-19 hit the UK and lockdown was declared, Mike Matthews wondered how his four-star hotel would survive. Then the council called. The British government had launched a programme called ‘ Everyone In ’ and 33 rough sleepers – many of whom had spent decades on the street – needed beds.
This is the story of how that luxury hotel spent months locked down with their new guests, many of them traumatised, addicts or suffering from mental illness. As a world-leading foreign correspondent turning her attention to her own country for the first time, Christina Lamb chronicles how extreme situations were handled and how shocking losses were suffered, how romances emerged between guests and how people grappled with their pasts together.
Unexpected and profound, heart-warming and heartbreaking, this is a tale that gives a panoramic insight into modern Britain in all its failures, and people in all their capacities for kindness – even in the most difficult of times.
A story of poverty, generosity and worlds colliding in modern Britain
When Covid-19 hit the UK and lockdown was declared, Mike Matthews wondered how his four-star hotel would survive. Then the council called. The British government had launched a programme called ‘ Everyone In ’ and 33 rough sleepers – many of whom had spent decades on the street – needed beds.
This is the story of how that luxury hotel spent months locked down with their new guests, many of them traumatised, addicts or suffering from mental illness. As a world-leading foreign correspondent turning her attention to her own country for the first time, Christina Lamb chronicles how extreme situations were handled and how shocking losses were suffered, how romances emerged between guests and how people grappled with their pasts together.
Unexpected and profound, heart-warming and heartbreaking, this is a tale that gives a panoramic insight into modern Britain in all its failures, and people in all their capacities for kindness – even in the most difficult of times.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2022
19 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lamb
25 books357 followersChristina Lamb OBE is one of Britain's leading foreign correspondents. She has been named Foreign Correspondent of the Year five times in the British Press Awards and What the Papers Say Awards and in 2007 was winner of the Prix Bayeux Calvados - one of the world's most prestigious prizes for war correspondents, for her reporting from Afghanistan.
She has won numerous other awards starting with Young Journalist of the Year in the British Press Awards for her coverage of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1988; was part of the News Reporter of the year for BCCI; and won the Foreign Press Association award for reporting on Zimbabwean teachers forced into prostitution, and Amnesty International award for the plight of street children in Rio.
She was named by Grazia magazine as one of their Icons of the Decade and by She magazine as one of Britain's Most Inspirational Women. The ASHA foundation chose her as one of their inspirational women worldwide www.asha-foundation.org with her portrait featuring in a special exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery. Her portrait has also been in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. She was awarded the OBE in the 2013.
She has won numerous other awards starting with Young Journalist of the Year in the British Press Awards for her coverage of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1988; was part of the News Reporter of the year for BCCI; and won the Foreign Press Association award for reporting on Zimbabwean teachers forced into prostitution, and Amnesty International award for the plight of street children in Rio.
She was named by Grazia magazine as one of their Icons of the Decade and by She magazine as one of Britain's Most Inspirational Women. The ASHA foundation chose her as one of their inspirational women worldwide www.asha-foundation.org with her portrait featuring in a special exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery. Her portrait has also been in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. She was awarded the OBE in the 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 29, 2022
I was given this book to read because of my familiarity with the region. I knew this town from the distant past, and had stayed in the hotel on many occasions.
I returned to live there in 2020 after staying again in the hotel, which I know well. I was resident in the town throughout the period covered by this book.
I became familiar with this 'story' through local press and multiple images and footage put out on social media by the hotel owner. Nothing went unpublicized, despite there being other venues in the town and throughout the UK involved in the 'everyone in' move.
I have both a personal and professional experience of homelessness, and became interested in these copious stories, particularly when statements were made that were at the very least, questionable. Because of this I chose on more than one occasion to speak to the guests resident at the hotel. What was notable was the almost cult like nervousness. It was difficult to get these folks to speak openly because they feared perhaps erroneously, being evicted from the hotel.
It was almost a joke with many in the town, that the next thing that would happen would be writing a book! That this occurred did not come as a surprise to many there.
But given the work of this author as a journalist, and the calibre of her previous books; this book is almost bizarre in its difference. We all know the scourge of C19, but the book starts in the manner of a disaster movie; I almost expected to hear the music from 'Jaws'! This build up I believe, was designed to show sacrifice and dedication. To be blunt; altruism was not the focus.
I was most certainly not alone in being concerned about some matters, and know that there has been quite considerable poetic licence in some statements to print and electronic media throughout the year. Even social media video footage was altered to show a building that is simply not where it was filmed! It would not be wise to expand, though there is/was a fair degree of frustration in being made aware through media, and this book, that a 'story' was being publicized, rather than a true situation. The town IS lovely, but there is a very prominent hierarchy there where the owner of the hotel is chairman of a Council business group.
I left the town in part because of this hierarchy, after 15 months.
The book really does speak for itself. If this book was about homeless people, then why does it need to refer to mattress types, and toiletry brands? This is almost text book publicity put out by the hotel itself! Why is it necessary to write what time the lovely co owner of the hotel, goes up to bed, or the appearance of the accountant, or even the shape of the face of the manager? That has little to do with homeless guests. Should they be grateful for that, perhaps?
There are/were not 100 homeless people in Shrewsbury. (A figure claimed by the hotel owner). Had there been, they would have been lined up shoulder to shoulder on the main thoroughfare where they are generally to be found. It was one of many spurious claims made to elevate the hotel above other venues doing the same thing.
Books that do actually deal with homelessness; the experience; the causes are available. I have just read one which is sad and funny and poignant. This is NOT a book about homelessness. This is a book about the people in a 'four star hotel sacrificing life as we know it to dedicate themselves' etc. Hospitality sites lay bare the vagaries of the starring system, particularly in relation to this hotel. It was however, a palace to those guests, and without question, they were sheltered and fed well.
What I find so objectionable, is the interviewing of these souls almost as an adjunct to show three people as heroes, though specifically two. And it of course, involved more than just two/three people. There has been little to no acknowlegement of that.
One homeless guest who featured strongly in video footage, and this book, was searingly, rawly vulnerable, fearing going back to the streets, and was in revere of the owner; (who was always to be addressed as 'Mr'). He returned to what he most feared. He is now in prison. When there was no successful outcome in the residents being housed etc, both the author and the co owner of the hotel have laid the blame for that at the feet of the homeless person; it was subtle; but it was there. Frankly that angers me.
-----------------------------------
I am immensely saddened and frustrated that sometimes it is the 'celebrity of author' which elevates the profile of a book rather than the merits of the book itself. Press reviews for this book seem to bear this out. I am astonished that there appears to have been no checks to assess veracity. Everything was taken at face value.
I have donated the other excellent books of this author to a charity shop. They at least, are very good.
This book tells a story. My issue is with the word ''true''.
I returned to live there in 2020 after staying again in the hotel, which I know well. I was resident in the town throughout the period covered by this book.
I became familiar with this 'story' through local press and multiple images and footage put out on social media by the hotel owner. Nothing went unpublicized, despite there being other venues in the town and throughout the UK involved in the 'everyone in' move.
I have both a personal and professional experience of homelessness, and became interested in these copious stories, particularly when statements were made that were at the very least, questionable. Because of this I chose on more than one occasion to speak to the guests resident at the hotel. What was notable was the almost cult like nervousness. It was difficult to get these folks to speak openly because they feared perhaps erroneously, being evicted from the hotel.
It was almost a joke with many in the town, that the next thing that would happen would be writing a book! That this occurred did not come as a surprise to many there.
But given the work of this author as a journalist, and the calibre of her previous books; this book is almost bizarre in its difference. We all know the scourge of C19, but the book starts in the manner of a disaster movie; I almost expected to hear the music from 'Jaws'! This build up I believe, was designed to show sacrifice and dedication. To be blunt; altruism was not the focus.
I was most certainly not alone in being concerned about some matters, and know that there has been quite considerable poetic licence in some statements to print and electronic media throughout the year. Even social media video footage was altered to show a building that is simply not where it was filmed! It would not be wise to expand, though there is/was a fair degree of frustration in being made aware through media, and this book, that a 'story' was being publicized, rather than a true situation. The town IS lovely, but there is a very prominent hierarchy there where the owner of the hotel is chairman of a Council business group.
I left the town in part because of this hierarchy, after 15 months.
The book really does speak for itself. If this book was about homeless people, then why does it need to refer to mattress types, and toiletry brands? This is almost text book publicity put out by the hotel itself! Why is it necessary to write what time the lovely co owner of the hotel, goes up to bed, or the appearance of the accountant, or even the shape of the face of the manager? That has little to do with homeless guests. Should they be grateful for that, perhaps?
There are/were not 100 homeless people in Shrewsbury. (A figure claimed by the hotel owner). Had there been, they would have been lined up shoulder to shoulder on the main thoroughfare where they are generally to be found. It was one of many spurious claims made to elevate the hotel above other venues doing the same thing.
Books that do actually deal with homelessness; the experience; the causes are available. I have just read one which is sad and funny and poignant. This is NOT a book about homelessness. This is a book about the people in a 'four star hotel sacrificing life as we know it to dedicate themselves' etc. Hospitality sites lay bare the vagaries of the starring system, particularly in relation to this hotel. It was however, a palace to those guests, and without question, they were sheltered and fed well.
What I find so objectionable, is the interviewing of these souls almost as an adjunct to show three people as heroes, though specifically two. And it of course, involved more than just two/three people. There has been little to no acknowlegement of that.
One homeless guest who featured strongly in video footage, and this book, was searingly, rawly vulnerable, fearing going back to the streets, and was in revere of the owner; (who was always to be addressed as 'Mr'). He returned to what he most feared. He is now in prison. When there was no successful outcome in the residents being housed etc, both the author and the co owner of the hotel have laid the blame for that at the feet of the homeless person; it was subtle; but it was there. Frankly that angers me.
-----------------------------------
I am immensely saddened and frustrated that sometimes it is the 'celebrity of author' which elevates the profile of a book rather than the merits of the book itself. Press reviews for this book seem to bear this out. I am astonished that there appears to have been no checks to assess veracity. Everything was taken at face value.
I have donated the other excellent books of this author to a charity shop. They at least, are very good.
This book tells a story. My issue is with the word ''true''.
July 17, 2022
E-book, borrowed from my local library via BorrowBox. Another review I read described this book as ‘voyeuristic’, and I’d say that is the overarching feeling I have, having now finished reading.
The writing style is easy enough to read, but it is very journalistic - people are described by their base attributes, there’s a lot of name dropping and emphasis on brands. The timeline does get shaky at times, at one point the author mentions the death of a resident in passing, but then mentions him again at a later point as if he was still alive.
My biggest complaint is the characterisation of the hotel’s staff. At points, Mike is presented as a great sage - he has thoughts about furlough before the government mentioned it, but he also doesn’t know what PIP is, and is surprised to find the supermarkets empty and that there’s panic buying. Charlie, formerly a midwife, doesn’t realise that their residents may need sharps boxes or methadone prescriptions, but is also providing mental health advice. These are only a few examples, but if they are constructed for contextualisation, there are better ways they could’ve been done.
Over-all, I’m left concerned about the ethics. I do have the overall feeling that the staff have been afforded more time and energy, and the residents are secondary. I would’ve liked to know about the consent sought to be featured in the book. Some stories feel too close to the bone, with one mentioning the sexual abuse of a toddler. ‘Some names have been changed’, but why not all?
It is a heartwarming story, well written and worth reading, but I do feel conflicted about having read this book for entertainment.
The writing style is easy enough to read, but it is very journalistic - people are described by their base attributes, there’s a lot of name dropping and emphasis on brands. The timeline does get shaky at times, at one point the author mentions the death of a resident in passing, but then mentions him again at a later point as if he was still alive.
My biggest complaint is the characterisation of the hotel’s staff. At points, Mike is presented as a great sage - he has thoughts about furlough before the government mentioned it, but he also doesn’t know what PIP is, and is surprised to find the supermarkets empty and that there’s panic buying. Charlie, formerly a midwife, doesn’t realise that their residents may need sharps boxes or methadone prescriptions, but is also providing mental health advice. These are only a few examples, but if they are constructed for contextualisation, there are better ways they could’ve been done.
Over-all, I’m left concerned about the ethics. I do have the overall feeling that the staff have been afforded more time and energy, and the residents are secondary. I would’ve liked to know about the consent sought to be featured in the book. Some stories feel too close to the bone, with one mentioning the sexual abuse of a toddler. ‘Some names have been changed’, but why not all?
It is a heartwarming story, well written and worth reading, but I do feel conflicted about having read this book for entertainment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2023
Turns out I am a fool. I expected the story to match the very cute cover. It was a bit unsettling to discover just how foolish I had been! Homelessness is complicated, and so *must* this book be. It has some sweet and darling moments, but mostly it was grungey and bleak.
I was shocked and rather embarrassed to discover that I had become accustomed to neat and tidy endings, wrapped up with pretty bows. This book had more deaths than tidy endings.
I am glad I read it, and it certainly made me face the complexities of the lives of the homeless in new ways.
Take care if you are already in a dark place or have struggled with addictions etc.
I was shocked and rather embarrassed to discover that I had become accustomed to neat and tidy endings, wrapped up with pretty bows. This book had more deaths than tidy endings.
I am glad I read it, and it certainly made me face the complexities of the lives of the homeless in new ways.
Take care if you are already in a dark place or have struggled with addictions etc.
July 1, 2022
An interesting illustration of The Everyone In policy when an historic hotel opened its doors to the homeless. At times voyeuristic in it’s so what stereotypical views of those who find themselves homeless
September 11, 2022
Review for the Audiobook edition (not listed on Goodreads at time of review)
ISBN 9780008487577 ; Published by HarperCollins Publishers - William Collins, 09 June 2022
Read by Harriet Dunlop
This was definitely a Lockdown Book with a twist. I was holding my breath when I started out because I couldn't tell what the tone was going to be - the title lays it all out, except for the delivery.
As someone who has been homeless and has socialized with homeless people (if only for weeks rather than years) I was really concerned that this would be condescending and come from a cultural perspective that rubbed me the wrong way, but in the end it was even handed. It is delivered in a biographical yet magazine style; anecdotes are flavoured with quotes and recollections of the people involved, interspersed with background on sociopolitical, economic and historical contexts. We learn a bit about the history of the hotel and its neighbours, and the history of Shrewsbury; we learn a little about the decisions made by politicians, and it is delivered in a factual, rather than emotive way.
The book tells the story of the people involved, in a way that means the author takes a back seat. We get a RealityTV / fly-on-the-wall insight with a personable Brit Doco feel. It left me feeling like the whole recounting was journalistic.. but I'm conflicted about the practice of faithfully recounting people's, lives, stories, confidences, traumatic incidents, meltdowns, medical histories, vulnerable moments, conflict and anger, "bad decisions", inebriation, squalor, hope... Is it important historical record; or helping to educate common folk and help them understand the lives of the homeless; or making money off the most vulnerable people in society?
It took a while for me to get into the book but I'll admit I have been a little busy of late. The book was not an onerous read, but I'm glad that I was listening to the audiobook so could catch up with some sewing repairs at the same time. My only real quibble with the style of the book was editorial. At times the information about the people was repeated. Early in the book someone would be introduced and a few things said about them, and later there would be an entire anecdote fleshing out why and how those things effected them.. but the anecdote was presented as though it were completely new information rather than being linked to what was previously imparted. A simple, "when (x) first arrived they had said things were hard because... it all came out over coffee one night....." or something, to link it to what we had already been given? At times I felt like I had skipped back and was re-reading earlier parts.
I guess I'm probably not the target audience for this book. There were no grand revelations for me, but it was an ok piece of modern journalism, and an interesting record of a unique slice of life.
ISBN 9780008487577 ; Published by HarperCollins Publishers - William Collins, 09 June 2022
Read by Harriet Dunlop
This was definitely a Lockdown Book with a twist. I was holding my breath when I started out because I couldn't tell what the tone was going to be - the title lays it all out, except for the delivery.
As someone who has been homeless and has socialized with homeless people (if only for weeks rather than years) I was really concerned that this would be condescending and come from a cultural perspective that rubbed me the wrong way, but in the end it was even handed. It is delivered in a biographical yet magazine style; anecdotes are flavoured with quotes and recollections of the people involved, interspersed with background on sociopolitical, economic and historical contexts. We learn a bit about the history of the hotel and its neighbours, and the history of Shrewsbury; we learn a little about the decisions made by politicians, and it is delivered in a factual, rather than emotive way.
The book tells the story of the people involved, in a way that means the author takes a back seat. We get a RealityTV / fly-on-the-wall insight with a personable Brit Doco feel. It left me feeling like the whole recounting was journalistic.. but I'm conflicted about the practice of faithfully recounting people's, lives, stories, confidences, traumatic incidents, meltdowns, medical histories, vulnerable moments, conflict and anger, "bad decisions", inebriation, squalor, hope... Is it important historical record; or helping to educate common folk and help them understand the lives of the homeless; or making money off the most vulnerable people in society?
It took a while for me to get into the book but I'll admit I have been a little busy of late. The book was not an onerous read, but I'm glad that I was listening to the audiobook so could catch up with some sewing repairs at the same time. My only real quibble with the style of the book was editorial. At times the information about the people was repeated. Early in the book someone would be introduced and a few things said about them, and later there would be an entire anecdote fleshing out why and how those things effected them.. but the anecdote was presented as though it were completely new information rather than being linked to what was previously imparted. A simple, "when (x) first arrived they had said things were hard because... it all came out over coffee one night....." or something, to link it to what we had already been given? At times I felt like I had skipped back and was re-reading earlier parts.
I guess I'm probably not the target audience for this book. There were no grand revelations for me, but it was an ok piece of modern journalism, and an interesting record of a unique slice of life.
January 7, 2024
Thought provoking book.
I'm going to start my review with the last sentence in the book. "At the end of the day, we are all humans and who knows it could happen to you"
That's a sobering thought but someone once told me that sometimes all it takes is the loss of a job and a cataclysmic life event and you could end up homeless. This book is a collection of stories that shows just this. Too often we judge people and we shouldn't.
It's heart warming to read of someone who got offered a job at the end of this and it's heart wrenching to read of someone who never in his life had a birthday cake or an Easter egg, of people who were caught up in spirals and couldn't get out of them ....... and then there is the awful stories of those who died due to drug misuse and those whose lives and their families lives were ruined because of drugs and alcohol
Of course the book also describes how The Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury takes in homeless people during the COVID lockdown in 2020 and beyond that and the staff who looked after them as residents of the hotel and treated them well
There's an odd serendipity that the original Prince Rupert who we are told was a Bohemian prince used to look after the homeless also when he returned from war.
But overall the warmth and the kindness of those staff who ran the hotel just lights up this book.
A brilliant, eye opening read
Behind everyone is a story , it reminds us not to pass people by, don't just write them off ....... give everyone a chance
I'm going to start my review with the last sentence in the book. "At the end of the day, we are all humans and who knows it could happen to you"
That's a sobering thought but someone once told me that sometimes all it takes is the loss of a job and a cataclysmic life event and you could end up homeless. This book is a collection of stories that shows just this. Too often we judge people and we shouldn't.
It's heart warming to read of someone who got offered a job at the end of this and it's heart wrenching to read of someone who never in his life had a birthday cake or an Easter egg, of people who were caught up in spirals and couldn't get out of them ....... and then there is the awful stories of those who died due to drug misuse and those whose lives and their families lives were ruined because of drugs and alcohol
Of course the book also describes how The Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury takes in homeless people during the COVID lockdown in 2020 and beyond that and the staff who looked after them as residents of the hotel and treated them well
There's an odd serendipity that the original Prince Rupert who we are told was a Bohemian prince used to look after the homeless also when he returned from war.
But overall the warmth and the kindness of those staff who ran the hotel just lights up this book.
A brilliant, eye opening read
Behind everyone is a story , it reminds us not to pass people by, don't just write them off ....... give everyone a chance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2023
3.5 - 4 stars. I didn’t think I wanted to read a COVID book but it’s a catchy title. It isn’t about hospitals and sick people, it’s about people from two different walks of life having to live together during the restrictions of the first UK lockdown of 2020. Life as everyone knew it came to a grinding halt and they were told to stay indoors and isolate. A program was initiated to get every homeless person ‘off the streets’ and into shelter. Being empty because of travel cancellations The Prince Rupert opened their doors. Taking in as many as they could they decided to treat them as ‘guests.’ It definitely wasn’t smooth sailing. Many had medical problems as a result of alcohol and drug abuse, others had been living rough out of choice, while others had found themselves on the street for unexpected reasons. Thinking it was only to be a few weeks, this arrangement lasted months. As ‘guests’, they now had three meals a day, clean sheets, comfortable beds, bathrooms and rules. Not what they were used to, especially the rules! Mike and a very reduced staff slowly learned that each of them had a story. Working hard with authorities he tried to find some sort of permanent housing for them all as well as trying to get them off their addictions. There were a few success stories which was nice to read, unfortunately there were far more sad stories. It got a bit grim at times and I kept thinking - could I have done this, would I have coped? Being honest, I’m not sure. I found it a pretty amazing story
August 31, 2023
This has been an inspiring reading experience. My engagement with the COVID pandemic was mainly second hand and mainly orientated to the impact on the medical and teaching areas. (Our family has strong involvement historically and currently in both areas.) This account took me to a completely different aspect of the pandemic.
It was troubling how much, already, I view the pandemic historically and forget the extreme suffering and disruption of the time.
The courage, boldness and commitment of the team at the Prince Rupert was truly impressive. The accounts of the experiences they went through with their colourful guest were quite mind-blowing. Here are catalogued wonderful insights, tragic histories, damaged people with warm hearts, damaged people inescapably trapped and, on the part of the staff, costly, loving and transforming service.
It shows what can be done in a crisis and highlights what is not done when 'normality' returns.
I have been suitably and significantly challenged in the reading of this account.
It was troubling how much, already, I view the pandemic historically and forget the extreme suffering and disruption of the time.
The courage, boldness and commitment of the team at the Prince Rupert was truly impressive. The accounts of the experiences they went through with their colourful guest were quite mind-blowing. Here are catalogued wonderful insights, tragic histories, damaged people with warm hearts, damaged people inescapably trapped and, on the part of the staff, costly, loving and transforming service.
It shows what can be done in a crisis and highlights what is not done when 'normality' returns.
I have been suitably and significantly challenged in the reading of this account.
November 14, 2023
A great real-life story about a hotel that took in a *lot* of homeless people during the pandemic. Plenty of both the staff and the homeless residents are brought to the page superbly. I feel the book could've done with perhaps a less rigidly chronological order, or going in depth on fewer residents, as I lost track of a lot of the characters as I read along. But overall, I really enjoyed it and the author brought a lot of people to life.
Emotionally, this was a strange one to read. On the one hand, it's a 'feel good' story about kind-hearted staff and management at the hotel, and the power of national and local government to tackle homelessness. But on the other hand, the vicious cycle of homeless is brutally exposed, and of course the hotel is no longer a homeless hostel any more. The 'everyone in' policy is over, and we're back where we started. I didn't know how to feel when I finished it, and I still don't. On reflection, I think that's a credit to the author, capturing the complexity and injustice involved in homelessness.
Emotionally, this was a strange one to read. On the one hand, it's a 'feel good' story about kind-hearted staff and management at the hotel, and the power of national and local government to tackle homelessness. But on the other hand, the vicious cycle of homeless is brutally exposed, and of course the hotel is no longer a homeless hostel any more. The 'everyone in' policy is over, and we're back where we started. I didn't know how to feel when I finished it, and I still don't. On reflection, I think that's a credit to the author, capturing the complexity and injustice involved in homelessness.
June 6, 2025
this book was both well written and messy, i don’t know quite how to feel about it.
the tone was all over the shop, brutally honest in parts and trying to be feel good and positive in others. i’m not sure the balance was found.
for the most part the stories of the people who came to be housed in the hotel were told very honestly, though they were sometimes hard to read. i think these parts were written well, with care and compassion.
the hotel staff come across as really lovely people, who were doing a lot to help and obviously did help massively during the year. i’m just unsure about how i would feel about what happened next for the guests.
the diary form charting the year worked well, it gave the book a good flow and pace.
the tone was all over the shop, brutally honest in parts and trying to be feel good and positive in others. i’m not sure the balance was found.
for the most part the stories of the people who came to be housed in the hotel were told very honestly, though they were sometimes hard to read. i think these parts were written well, with care and compassion.
the hotel staff come across as really lovely people, who were doing a lot to help and obviously did help massively during the year. i’m just unsure about how i would feel about what happened next for the guests.
the diary form charting the year worked well, it gave the book a good flow and pace.
October 2, 2022
When the announcement that the homeless were going to be given accommodation during pandemic I wondered where there was suddenly places to house them, this book describes what happened when hotel was turned into a homeless hostel, except it was run as hotel for them, a luxury hotel in Shrewsbury volunteered to accept them, it describes the problems the owner and the two remaining staff overcome to adjust to avery different clientele! The stories of how they became homeless, the problems of addiction, it’s funny but sad, and how the best intentions don’t result in best outcomes, but how close friendships can be made and how successful outcome can occasionally happen,
July 12, 2023
It was really interesting to read back on Covid times and reflect on what the government put in place. I didn’t realise that there was a scheme to house the homeless. It’s insightful to hear the experiences of others during that time. That being said, I couldn’t help feeling frustrated in some places and bored in others. Overall, I’d recommended for people to read if they want a feel good book based on the experiences of others through Covid I’m sure there will be more books with tales of this time coming.
February 6, 2024
Mortified in many ways as I knew so little about this aspect of the Covid Pandemic. As a teacher I guess I was wrapped up in trying to do my own job as effectively as I could, given the constraints. I found this to be a fascinating read. I can see why it has gathered some criticism but then that is so easy to offer up. For me, I think it provided a thought provoking account and I feel humbled to read about the efforts and lengths that others went to in order to offer some help and support. The sadness is that the solution to most of the underlying problem(s) is yet to be found.
August 30, 2022
Heart warming and unflinching view of homelessness during the pandemic.
Christina Lamb has captured the essence of the project to get rough sleepers off the street during lockdown.
There are some people who are selflessly kind to others in need, usually those who have suffered heartache & loss themselves. There are also people who don’t want help to help themselves. In between there are people who do their best to accept kindness and help and turn it in to something good.
Christina Lamb has captured the essence of the project to get rough sleepers off the street during lockdown.
There are some people who are selflessly kind to others in need, usually those who have suffered heartache & loss themselves. There are also people who don’t want help to help themselves. In between there are people who do their best to accept kindness and help and turn it in to something good.
January 18, 2023
I read this on the basis of it appearing in Sunday Times critics’ favourite books of 2022. Christina Lamb’s writing for The Times is excellent and recall the original article in the paper. However, it appeared to me that there really wasn’t enough from the various conversations the author had with the homeless guests of the hotel, the owner and his 2 employees Charlie and Jackie to warrant a book. Consequently the book seemed strung out.
June 23, 2024
Hmm, I am a bit conflicted about this book. It was by turns depressing, uplifting, sad and amusing.
I suppose I was naive in hoping for some happy endings for the homeless people at the hotel - but mostly their complicated early lives militated against that.
And what about the motive of the owner - I wanted to think well of him, as I did about his brilliant helpers, but how much was altruism and how much was self serving? I'm unsure.
I suppose I was naive in hoping for some happy endings for the homeless people at the hotel - but mostly their complicated early lives militated against that.
And what about the motive of the owner - I wanted to think well of him, as I did about his brilliant helpers, but how much was altruism and how much was self serving? I'm unsure.
October 20, 2022
I enjoyed reading about the stories of the homeless people that landed up at the Prince Rupert hotel and in particular, what happened to them after the pandemic. The narration was okay but could have been written with more of a continuing storyline rather than a set of unconnected stories.
Nevertheless, an interesting read
Nevertheless, an interesting read
March 9, 2023
A moving account of a hotel owner's and staff's experience when they opened their hotel to the homeless in Shrewsbury during the pandemic. It was harrowing and eye-opening to learn the backstories of how some of these special guests ended up on the streets. Only let down slightly by the pedestrian writing style.
July 29, 2023
DNF @ about 60% through. It was exactly what it says it is, but for me, I don't need stories of homeless people to know that they are just people who have had a crap run, and have my heart warmed by being inspired by them. I've lived that through my work and I know the small and large tragedies all too well.
January 21, 2024
I usually read fiction so this was unusual for me. The cover and blurb had attracted me. I liked that it related the progress of the pandemic restrictions. I'd forgotten many of the details. However, I grew tired of reading description after description of the many alcoholic and drug addicted residents. The book just wasn't that interesting.
July 8, 2022
A fantastic insight into the back stories of the Homeless community in a town. The personal stories were the most complex yet compelling. A real insight into a societal issue that meant equal measures of compassion and resilience
July 14, 2023
Look, it's not a very well written book, but it is very interesting, insightful and honest - all of which wouldn't be possible if the story had been muddied by creative prose and storytelling. A true documentary style book I highly recommend!
August 9, 2023
I so wanted to love this book having read about it in the press, the premise was so enticing. Sadly I think it’s badly written . The text and story line imho is very jumpy and simply doesn’t flow . A difficult read and not because of the subject matter.
February 6, 2024
A really great insight into some of the ways people become homeless. Lots of true stories and most heartbreaking. Well done to this hotel for taking in the homeless during covid. I have the utmost respect for the people running the hotel as it mustve been really difficult.
April 8, 2025
When lockdowns were declared in the UK, Mike's four-star hotel in Shrewsbury was used to house the homeless, with challenges for both staff and residents.
This was a daytime read for me as some of the stories are very sad. However it was a fascinating story of a difficult period.
This was a daytime read for me as some of the stories are very sad. However it was a fascinating story of a difficult period.
August 23, 2025
An interesting read as I’m familiar with the town but wasn’t even aware of this hotel and what they did.
Some of the stories were hard to read though but it shows you just how complex homelessness is and why people end up in that position.
These people are amazing for what they did!
Some of the stories were hard to read though but it shows you just how complex homelessness is and why people end up in that position.
These people are amazing for what they did!
February 13, 2026
3 stars
I really enjoyed this. I loved learning about all the different stories of the homeless.
The pacing was a bit confusing and felt like I didn't truly get the perspectives of the people in the book since it's all told by a third party.
I really enjoyed this. I loved learning about all the different stories of the homeless.
The pacing was a bit confusing and felt like I didn't truly get the perspectives of the people in the book since it's all told by a third party.
July 17, 2022
An interesting read. People helping people during very tough times. Found the pace a bit stilted but liked meeting the different guests and finding out about their challenges.
August 14, 2022
A painful and necessary read. Real kindness shown by Charlie, Jacki and Mike, but the stories of the residents are what we need to hear.
August 28, 2022
Interesting read that challenges your thinking. What an amazing act of human kindness during the pandemic.
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