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Hotel Splendide Paperback – November 29, 2022

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 181 ratings

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“Truly a great bookunique, invaluable and unapproachable as the gold standard of the genreBemelmans got there first, more frequently, and better.—Anthony Bourdain

Acerbic, colorful, and spirited stories from a bygone era: behind the scenes in a grand NY hotel, from the author of the Madeline books

Picture David Sedaris writing Kitchen Confidential about the Ritz in New York in the 1920s, which had the style and charm of The Grand Budapest Hotel

In this charming and uproariously funny hotel memoir, Ludwig Bemelmans uncovers the fabulous world of the Hotel Splendide—the thinly disguised stand-in for the Ritz—a luxury New York hotel where he worked as a waiter in the 1920s. With equal parts affection and barbed wit, he uncovers the everyday chaos that reigns behind the smooth facades of the gilded dining room and banquet halls.

In hilarious detail, Bemelmans sketches the hierarchy of hotel life and its strange and fascinating inhabitants: from the ruthlessly authoritarian maître d'hôtel Monsieur Victor to the kindly waiter Mespoulets to Frizl the homesick busboy. Illustrated with his own charming line drawings, Bemelmans' tales of a bygone era of extravagance are as charming as they are riotously entertaining.

“[Bemelmans] was the original bad boy of the NY hotel/restaurant subculture, a waiter, busboy, and restaurateur who “told all” in a series of funny and true (or very near true) autobiographical accounts of backstairs folly, excess, borderline criminality, and madness in the grande Hotel Splendide… If you like stories about old New York as I do, this classic will have you laughing out loud.” –Anthony Bourdain
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“An uproarious account of his life as a waiter at the thinly disguised Ritz-Carlton in the 1920s . . . He is a canny observer with a wry sense of humor, an innocent bystander who simply looks on. He’s like P.G. Wodehouse, with a touch of the Marx Brothers. . . . a delight from beginning to end.”
--The Wall Street Journal

"
Hotel Splendide, Bemelmans’s 1941, out-of-print memoir, which is being reissued by Pushkin Press this month, is a delightful passport to a long-lost era"
--Air Mail

“The original bad boy of the New York restaurant/hotel underbelly. Bemelmans is always funny, insightful and dead on target.”
--Anthony Bourdain

“Freshness and vitality…wit, humor, pathos, and the inimitable Bemelmans’ touch.”
--Kirkus Reviews

“The kitchen memoir to end them all.”

--Slightly Foxed

“A seemingly light-hearted yet deceptively dark memoir of [Bemelmans'] time working in a luxury hotel in 1920s New York. A gently flowing, delightfully gossipy read, I could easily picture the entirety shot in black-and-white vignettes, Woody Allen style.”
--Irish Times

“A charming memoir.”
--Independent

“Immensely fun and an absolutely charming book... a beautiful classic” 
--WAMC North East Public Radio Book Picks.

About the Author

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was an Austrian-born American writer and illustrator of books for children and adults. He travelled to American in 1914, at the age of sixteen, and worked for three years in the dining halls of what he called, in his autobiographical works, the Hotel Splendide. In 1926, he quit working in hotels to become a full-time cartoonist and made frequent contributions to the New Yorker, Vogue and Town and Country. He is perhaps most well-known as the author of the beloved Madeline books.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pushkin Press (November 29, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1782277919
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1782277910
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.57 x 7.73 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 181 ratings

About the author

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Ludwig Bemelmans
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Ludwig Bemelmans (April 27, 1898-October 1, 1962), Austro-American essayist, humorist, novelist, artist, and author of books for children, was born in Meran, in the Tyrol, in territory that was then Austrian and is now Italian. In 1914, he arrived in New York with letters of introduction to managers of several large hotels. Having worked his way up to a position as a waiter at the Ritz-Carlton, he left to enlist in the United States Army in 1917. Eventually he opened his own restaurant; only in 1934 did he turn to writing, at the suggestion of a friend in publishing who, noticing the whimsical paintings with which he covered the walls of his apartment, urged him to undertake a children's book. Hansi, the first of Bemelmans' fifteen books for children, beguiled most reviewers with its simple watercolor illustrations and nostalgic story of two children and their dog in the Austrian Tyrol. His greatest success, however, was Madeline, a rhymed picture book about a Parisian schoolgirl who becomes the envy of her classmates when her appendix is removed. Indeed, the Madeline books, of which there were five, remain the work that Bemelmans is primarily remembered for. The inspired amateurishness of the illustrations and the sophisticated doggerel verses have been an influence on later juvenile literature. Madeline's Rescue, the second book in the series, was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1953. Bemelmans claimed to have no imagination, and all his books were the more or less direct product of his experience. He described his life as a restaurateur in Life Class and Hotel Splendide, his travels to Ecuador and Italy in The Donkey Inside and Italian Holiday, and his stint as a Hollywood screenwriter in the novel Dirty Eddie. At the time of his death he was working on the story of his childhood. Bemelmans was a genial satirist and lover of life, but a serious intent often underlay his humor, especially in his novels. A case in point is Blue Danube, a fanciful story set on an island of the Danube, the comedy of which is very much clouded by the appearance of a band of odious Nazis. A somewhat more successful novel was Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, concerning the unusual journey of an elderly Ecuadorian general from his villa in Biarritz to his home in South America. From the time of his marriage to Madeline Freund in 1935 (they had one daughter, Barbara) until his death in New York of pancreatic cancer, Bemelmans traveled, painted, and generally wrote a book or two a year. Reviewing his posthumous novel, the comic love story The Street Where the Heart Lies, Burling Lowrey in Saturday Review called Bemelmans "a superb craftsman with a sure eye for atmospheric detail and a supremely accurate ear for the speech of Adult Innocents madly in love with the unattainable.. . He was a complete original, with an absolutely unique temperament and view toward the world."

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
181 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a pleasant, charming read with unexpected storylines and twists. They describe each chapter as a complete story, making it easy to pick up when reading time is limited. The tales are delightful tales from the author of Madeline, with a potential murder mystery.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a pleasant and charming read. They say it's a quick, fun read that is well worth the time. It provides an introduction to hospitality for travelers or those looking for a pleasant short read.

"...Bemelmans’ humor is understated and genteel and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. Perfect for a vacation read or a rainy afternoon." Read more

"Written by a hotel insider, the book is a pleasing introduction to those who work in hospitality and the sometimes eccentric guests...." Read more

"Pleasant, charming book." Read more

"Fun book and a quick read. The writer introduces us to the staff and guests of the hotel restaurant. Extravagant living ensues for both parties...." Read more

5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's storylines. They find the characters quirky and believable, with unexpected twists. The stories are well-crafted, making them enjoyable to read on their own. Readers appreciate the potential murder mystery and delightful tales from the author of Madeline.

"Delightful tales from the author of “Madeline” for adults interested in the cultural history of New York City!" Read more

"...Quirky (though eminently believable) character profiles and unpredictable storylines are punctuated by the occasional deadly funny throwaway joke...." Read more

"...Each short story is well crafted, often ending in a twist. A worthwhile book for a traveler or someone wanting a pleasurable short read...." Read more

"Each chapter a complete story, which makes it a good book to pick up when reading time is short." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023
    Delightful tales from the author of “Madeline” for adults interested in the cultural history of New York City!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
    Hotel Splendide is a quick one- or two-sitting read. Quirky (though eminently believable) character profiles and unpredictable storylines are punctuated by the occasional deadly funny throwaway joke. The behind-the-scenes goings-on at a fancy hotel’s restaurant/banquet office provide rich fodder. The chapters are pretty self-contained making it easy to pick up and put down. Bemelmans’ humor is understated and genteel and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. Perfect for a vacation read or a rainy afternoon.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2023
    Written by a hotel insider, the book is a pleasing introduction to those who work in hospitality and the sometimes eccentric guests. Each short story is well crafted, often ending in a twist. A worthwhile book for a traveler or someone wanting a pleasurable short read.It is only 192 pages making me having wanted more.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024
    Each chapter a complete story, which makes it a good book to pick up when reading time is short.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
    Pleasant, charming book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
    Fun book and a quick read. The writer introduces us to the staff and guests of the hotel restaurant. Extravagant living ensues for both parties. I enjoyed the magician and the potential murder mystery. Appreciated the introduction to satyricon. Much to learn here. Time well spent.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2011
    I purchased this book because I read that Rodgers and Hart were considering basing a musical on it at one point. Being a writer of musicals myself, I was intrigued. Well, I can't imagine what they were thinking. There is no story, just a plotless series of reminiscences about working in a luxury hotel in NYC during the 1920s. I can't say I found it particularly amusing, and it ends on a very strange, unresolved note, with a potential murder hanging in the air.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
    "Hotel Splendide" by Ludwig Bemelmans is a delightful and whimsical tale that transports readers to the enchanting world of the fictional Hotel Splendide. With his signature charm and wit, Bemelmans takes us on a whimsical journey through the eccentricities and adventures of the hotel's vibrant cast of characters.

    One of the book's greatest strengths is Bemelmans' ability to create a vivid and captivating setting. The Hotel Splendide is brought to life through Bemelmans' evocative descriptions and charming illustrations, immersing readers in a world of opulence, humor, and unexpected surprises. The author's keen attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of each character and their quirks make the hotel feel like a character in its own right.

    The book follows the escapades of young protagonist Ludwig Bemelmans, who finds himself thrust into the world of hospitality when he becomes the assistant manager of the Hotel Splendide. Through Ludwig's eyes, readers are treated to a series of misadventures, mishaps, and encounters with a colorful cast of guests and staff members. Bemelmans' storytelling is infused with humor and wit, offering a delightful and light-hearted reading experience.

    One of the standout aspects of "Hotel Splendide" is the author's ability to capture the essence of human nature through his characters. From the eccentric and demanding guests to the endearing and quirky hotel staff, Bemelmans expertly crafts individuals that feel real and relatable. Each character is given depth and personality, adding layers of charm and humor to the story.

    However, some readers may find that the plot of the book lacks a clear direction or overarching narrative. Instead, "Hotel Splendide" reads more like a series of interconnected vignettes, which may leave some readers wanting a stronger sense of cohesion or a more developed storyline.

    In conclusion, "Hotel Splendide" is a whimsical and charming book that transports readers to a world of hospitality and adventure. Bemelmans' enchanting storytelling and captivating illustrations bring the Hotel Splendide and its inhabitants to life, providing a delightful reading experience. While the book may lack a cohesive plot, its charm and wit make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a lighthearted escape into a whimsical and imaginative setting.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Unknown person
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must have
    Reviewed in Germany on February 3, 2024
    Really an amazing book
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2019
    Well written very funny. Even today an excellent read
  • Gaye Turner
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2016
    Very pleased with book - the description was truthful and delivery was superquick.
  • ANDREW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2016
    Excellent. Delivered on time and within budget. Another one for the collection.