Hotel Montebello

Rebecca Wexelsen writes funny about serious topics. ... Even without the cancer disease, Wexelsen’s well-functioning comic rests on a sore sadness. This is a successful debut.

By way of Nina, the first person narrator, Wexelsen has cast a keen and comical eye on hospital life. [...] With her abundance of striking imagery and quick, witty tone, Hotel Montebello seems to disarm the disease we all fear most.

The author’s use of something as extreme as cancer to portray loneliness is original. [...] Reading about this young, hopeless girl is bleak; nevertheless, as a whole Hotel Montebello is an easy novel, penned by a young, fresh writer. The cancer and loneliness are balanced by keen character portrayals – almost caricatural sketches – waffles, and humorous situations.

The author elicits with humour the paradox in how the hotel is also a microcosm of the society beyond its walls. [...] Here crushes, longings, and dreams are described. Wexelsen conveys fates and intentions brushing up against each other.

As a debut novel, Hotel Montebello impresses – and is perhaps particularly good fare for those of us quick to slumber in the reading room. [...] A book to laugh and cry along with, to take comfort in back at student digs (with a beer, maybe, which Nina drinks a gratifying amount of). [...] You’re in for a treat.

The author writes well and she deals with sensitive and serious subjects in an excellent way. [...] I immediately got a feel for Nina and several of the other supporting characters we come across, and who would have believed that there were so many funny incidents to be had at the intensive care ward.