A review by octospark
A Small Hotel by Robert Olen Butler

4.0

Robert Olen Butler is one of my favorite writers. He is a literary champion, and I love all of his books. This was no exception. It was darker and more contemplative than some of his quirkier stuff (Hell, Mr. Spaceman, Tabloid Dreams, etc) but that doesn't mean it was any less affecting. One of my favorite things about this book was the almost 'stream-of-consciousness' writing he did throughout; there were some sentences that went on for multiple pages. And I didn't even realize it until it was done--"holy crap, that was one whole sentence!"--and then I'd go back and re-read it several times to really get the gist of it, and to revel in it, and to shake my head in awe and gratitude. It's just profound the way he so adequately depicts and conveys emotion and thought processes. Now, truth told, I don't think this was his strongest story, but I'm willing to let that go for the sheer writing power he continually exudes. If you are someone who is dealing with the disintegration of a marriage/relationship, or recently survived the harrowing ordeal of a disintegrated relationship, then you will get a lot out of this book. But even if you're not that person, you're likely to get a lot out of it. Recommended.