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Title:	Glass Hotel, The
Authors:	Mandel, Emily St John
Genre:	Fiction
Pages:	301
Year:	2020
Language:	English
Description:	Brother and sister Paul and Vincent Smith's presence at the remote luxury Hotel Caiette on Vancouver Island is one of employment not recreation. However, when Vincent, a social chameleon of the highest order meets hotel owner and financier Jonathan Alkailitis, she enters a world centred on wealth. But this 'kingdom of money' with its luxurious complacency is doomed to go the way of all Ponzi schemes, ensuring financial collapse for all concerned. With its many and varied settings moving between British Columbia, New York, a prison in South Carolina and a container ship in international waters, this intriguing fast-paced story exposes its interconnected and often haunted characters to a precarious world of greed and moral compromise.
Categories:	Fiction, Grief/loss, Morals/Ethics, Social commentary/perspectives, Suspense/Thriller, Canada, America, 2023 Titles

Reviews

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By: NAP 005		2025-07-13 17:20:27

Some of our group felt this book a chore with a very slow start and unlikeable characters so felt it only scored a two. Others thought differently, really enjoying it - the ponzi scheme idea, the development of characters, the devasting effect on all involved (be it instigators or victims of the con) in a setting of greed & moral compromises. It did evoke a lively discussion. Therefore we score it three.

By: OHOPE 002		2025-03-19 14:10:35

A real variation of thoughts on this book. Some felt it was quite disjointed in the way it was written while others thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue.

By: WAIKA 012		2024-10-16 13:21:21

Most people really enjoyed this book. Inspired some to read other books by this novelist. She was effective at scene setting, describing context, and writing an interesting plot.

By: AUCK 135		2024-03-04 11:10:07

A clever book on a delicate subject. Our group appreciated the way the theme was unravelled. Some memorable characters.

By: WHITIAN 001		2024-01-10 13:31:58

Enjoyed by most of our group. Some loved the structure and imagery but others not so much. Several of us are keen to read other books by this author.

By: MARTIN 001		2023-09-25 11:49:52

Most liked the book but some found the non-linear structure hard to cope with. Lots of ideas and themes arose and were discussed at length.

By: WELL 187		2023-09-14 13:45:04

Enjoyed by all. Provided very interesting discussions as the book was complex with many different aspects to explore.

By: TIMAR 007		2023-07-12 14:22:54

A wide range of feedback. Very well-written. For some, the number of characters and the weaving of the story was off putting. We are all well educated now about Ponzi schemes. An intriguing read.

By: AUCK 352		2022-09-28 11:36:32

Mixed reactions - some were lukewarm, some loved it.

By: WELL 001		2022-08-10 12:16:39

We had a variety of reactions to this book. All agreed it was well-written. The discussion focused on what it was the author had intended; were the characters rounded; the purpose of the transitions backwards and forwards in time. ( as well as touching on N.Z financial scandals). Despite differing degrees of enthusiasm, everyone finished the book.

By: WANG 011		2022-05-16 14:27:32

Clever. More or less like a succession of short stories. Not entirely believable. But worth reading.

By: LITRIV 001		2022-04-22 13:59:58

We were a little disappointed in this book, having previously enjoyed 'Station Eleven'. Although we like her writing style and characterisations, we found this story disjointed with too many characters.