Hotel du Lac, by Anita Brookner

• The back page of the book says Edith is “exiled from home after embarrassing herself and her friends”. What did you imagine she had done?  Does the exile help her? 

• The Hotel du Lac, according to Edith, is “a mild form of sanctuary” (p.14) but later she refers to it as an “institution” (p.106). Which comparison is more accurate? Have the women been “left” there or is the hotel a safe place, a refuge? 

• Edith describes herself as “rather dim and trusting” (p.9). As we read about her relationships with the other characters does this description fit her?  

• Edith’s friends tell her she looks like Virginia Woolf (1882-1941). She takes this as a compliment. Is it? What do you know about Virginia Woolf? Is the comparison a good one? 

• Edith’s friends accuse her of being a romantic. Is this an accurate assessment?  

• Edith spends much space in her letters to David describing people’s clothes. What does this say about their relationship? Why doesn’t Edith mail her letters to David? 

• Neville tells Edith “what you need is marriage”. Is this true? Would her life be better? 

• At the end of the novel Edith sends a telegram. Is it significant that she crosses out the words “coming home” and writes “returning”? What is the difference?