Author Kate DiCamillo is one of those authors I find myself having hits and misses with. I still consider her an author I enjoy, but I’m not always the audience she was going for. With that said, I was excited when I found a copy of The Hotel Balzaar (illustrated by Júlia Sardà) in our (unfortunately) damaged books. I had been wanting to read something that was a novel to break my graphic novel habit (as you know a favorite genre) but nothing too heavy.
Therefore this cute story that has a slow build up to things was pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I am not sure if you need to read the companion novel, The Puppets of Spelhorst, first, but I suspect you do not. However, it would not be a bad idea as DiCamillo is a lovely author and there might be some set up that helps with this book, as they do say this is a series called the Norendy Tales.
The story is simple enough. Marta’s mother works for the hotel and they live in a small room at the top of the building. Her mother tells her to be very careful, very quiet, never speaking unless spoken to, but even then only what you have too. Marta’s father hasn’t contacted them in ages, having left for war, she fears the worst, but hopes he is alive. Unlike her mother, who has given up. One day a strange guest arrives at the hotel, a countess who has secrets and stories to tell. The unfolding of the stories of the countess might lead to the answers Marta needs.
The illustrations give a period setting in black and white images. The mood is set to be old world, perhaps French or Spanish, yet the country is unknown and even a little magical.