Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Quirky, melancholic, darkly humorous, poignant, often shocking
The Hotel New Hampshire Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The First Hotel: Dairy, New Hampshire
The novel opens with John Berry introducing his family, especially his parents, Win and Mary, and their unusual outlook on life. Win Berry, a former football player and aspiring hotelier, buys an old, rundown dairy in Dairy, New Hampshire, to convert it into a hotel. They get a trained bear named State O'Maine, a gift from Win's friend Freud, a vaudevillian bear trainer. The Berry children—Frank, Franny, John, Lilly, and Egg—grow up in this odd environment, where the bear is a beloved, if sometimes difficult, family member. Win’s first attempts at running a successful hotel have limited success, but the family's bond and peculiar experiences begin to form.
Childhood and Early Tragedies
The Berry children live through their unique upbringing. John develops a deep affection for his sister Franny, a recurring part of the book. Frank, the eldest, is gay and struggles with his identity. Lilly, the youngest daughter, is a talented writer. The family experiences their first major tragedy when State O'Maine accidentally kills a young woman during a picnic, leading to the bear's death. Soon after, their beloved dog Sorrow is run over by a car. These early losses deeply affect the children and hint at the ongoing pattern of grief and resilience that defines their lives. Win continues to dream of hotel success, often to his family's detriment.
The Second Hotel: Vienna, Austria
Win Berry, through a complex arrangement involving his father's will and an old acquaintance, acquires a rundown hotel in Vienna, Austria, called the Gasthaus Freud. The family moves, leaving their New Hampshire life. The Viennese hotel is inhabited by a group of prostitutes, including Susie the Bear, and a radical, anti-Semitic terrorist group. The Berry children, now teenagers, are exposed to a more dangerous and morally ambiguous world. John continues to deal with his feelings for Franny, and the family tries to adapt to their new, often threatening, surroundings. The cultural clash and the dangers of their new environment create constant tension.
Terrorism and Loss in Vienna
The terrorist group residing in the Gasthaus Freud eventually carries out a bombing, targeting a nearby opera house. The Berry family becomes involved in the attack. During the chaos, their mother, Mary, and youngest brother, Egg, are killed in a plane crash while returning from a trip. At the same time, the hotel is bombed, and their father, Win, is blinded. The twin tragedies shatter the family, leaving the surviving children—Frank, Franny, John, and Lilly—to cope with immense grief and trauma. John, now more protective of his siblings, tries to hold the fractured family together after these devastating events.
Return to New Hampshire and New Beginnings
After the Vienna tragedy, the surviving Berry children and their now-blind father return to America. They settle in an apartment in New York City. Win, despite his blindness, continues to dream of opening another hotel. Frank pursues his acting career, Franny becomes more independent, and Lilly focuses intensely on her writing. John, always the observer and chronicler, grapples with his unresolved feelings for Franny and the lingering trauma of their losses. The family tries to forge new lives, but the shadows of their past, particularly the deaths of Mary and Egg, and Win's blindness, deeply shape their present and future interactions.
The Third Hotel: New York City
Win Berry, with the help of his children, eventually opens a new hotel in New York City, also named The Hotel New Hampshire. It is a modest establishment, reflecting their reduced circumstances. The family dynamic continues to evolve: Frank finds some success in acting, Lilly becomes a celebrated author, and Franny navigates various relationships. John, who works as a night clerk, remains the central observer, documenting their lives. The hotel becomes a sanctuary for a new group of eccentric characters, including a former wrestler named Earl and a woman named Susie the Bear, a prostitute from Vienna who has undergone facial reconstruction and now works at the hotel. The family strives for normalcy amidst their ongoing peculiarities.
Lilly's Tragic End
Lilly Berry achieves considerable literary success with her novel, 'A Sexual Education.' However, she struggles with depression and the weight of her fame. Despite her creative triumphs, she remains fragile. Tragically, Lilly commits suicide by jumping from a window of The Hotel New Hampshire. Her death is another devastating blow to the already beleaguered family, adding to their long history of loss. John is particularly affected, having always admired his sister's talent and vulnerability. Her death forces the remaining Berrys to confront their grief once more and reassess their lives and their ability to endure such sadness.
Franny's Rape and Revenge
Franny reveals to John that she was raped by three football players during their time in New Hampshire. This traumatic event has haunted her for years. With John's support, she decides to seek revenge. They meticulously plan and execute a scheme to castrate the perpetrators. The act is brutal and shocking, highlighting Franny's deep pain and her desperate need for retribution. John's involvement shows his unwavering loyalty to his sister and his willingness to go to extreme lengths to protect her and help her find closure, however violent. This event marks a turning point in their relationship and their individual paths.
John and Franny's Evolving Relationship
Throughout their lives, John and Franny's relationship is marked by an intense, almost incestuous bond. After the revenge, their emotional and physical intimacy deepens. They confess their love for each other and engage in a sexual relationship, a development that is both taboo and, within the context of their unconventional family, almost inevitable. This relationship is a source of both comfort and turmoil, reflecting their shared trauma and their unique understanding of each other. Their bond is a central, defining element of the narrative, challenging societal norms and exploring the boundaries of love and family.
New Lives and Continued Eccentricity
The surviving Berrys continue to navigate life with their characteristic blend of eccentricity and resilience. Win Berry, despite his blindness, finds a measure of peace and continues to reside at the hotel. Frank achieves success as a screenwriter. John, after his time at the hotel, becomes a writer, using his family's experiences as his primary subject matter. Franny finds love and stability with an actor, but her bond with John remains deep. The family, though diminished by loss, continues to 'dream on,' embracing their peculiar history and finding ways to adapt and survive. The novel concludes with the enduring strength of their unconventional family ties.
Principal Figures
John Berry
Protagonist
The chronicler and introspective middle child of the Berry family.
John is the central narrator and the most observant and introspective of the Berry children. He is deeply devoted to his family, especially his sister Franny, with whom he shares a complicated and eventually incestuous bond. John often feels like an outsider within his own eccentric family, yet he is the one who ultimately records their history. He is sensitive, loyal, and constantly grappling with the tragedies and peculiarities that define his life. He evolves from a quiet observer into a writer, finding his voice by documenting his family's extraordinary journey.
Relationships: Franny Berry (Sister; romantic/incestuous partner); Win Berry (Father); Mary Berry (Mother); Frank Berry (Brother); Lilly Berry (Sister)
Franny Berry
Supporting
The fiery, intelligent, and deeply traumatized sister of John.
Franny is John's older sister, a strong-willed, intelligent, and often tempestuous character. She is a survivor of sexual assault, which deeply impacts her life and fuels her desire for justice and control. Franny's relationship with John is the emotional core of the novel, evolving from sibling affection to a complex, taboo romance. She is fiercely independent but also vulnerable, constantly seeking love and understanding amidst her family's chaos. Her resilience and capacity for both love and revenge make her one of the most compelling figures.
Relationships: John Berry (Brother; romantic/incestuous partner); Win Berry (Father); Mary Berry (Mother)
Win Berry
Supporting
The perpetually optimistic, yet often hapless, patriarch and hotelier.
Win Berry is the idealistic and somewhat naive father of the Berry children. His lifelong dream is to own and run hotels, a pursuit that leads his family through a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations. Despite numerous setbacks, including the loss of his wife, son, and sight, Win maintains an unwavering, almost delusional, optimism. He embodies the theme of 'dreaming on,' even when faced with overwhelming tragedy. His good intentions often pave the way for disaster, yet his enduring spirit holds the family together in its own peculiar way.
Relationships: Mary Berry (Wife); John Berry (Son); Franny Berry (Daughter)
Mary Berry
Supporting
The pragmatic and loving mother, the anchor of the Berry family.
Mary Berry is Win's wife and the mother of the five Berry children. She is the more grounded and practical parent, often serving as a counterpoint to Win's fanciful dreams. Mary is a loving and protective mother, though she sometimes struggles to manage the chaos of her husband's ambitions and their unconventional lifestyle. Her presence provides a sense of stability for the children. Her untimely death in the plane crash in Vienna leaves a profound void in the family, marking a significant turning point in the novel and deeply affecting her surviving children and husband.
Relationships: Win Berry (Husband); John Berry (Son); Franny Berry (Daughter)
Frank Berry
Supporting
The eldest Berry child, gay and an aspiring actor/screenwriter.
Frank is the eldest son of Win and Mary. He is gay, a fact that he grapples with and eventually embraces. Frank is drawn to the performing arts, initially pursuing acting and later becoming a successful screenwriter. He is intelligent and artistic, often providing a different perspective within the family dynamic. His journey involves navigating his identity, both personal and professional, amidst the family's tumultuous life. He is a supportive brother, particularly to John and Franny, and represents a different kind of resilience and creativity.
Relationships: John Berry (Brother); Franny Berry (Sister); Win Berry (Father)
Lilly Berry
Supporting
The youngest daughter, a gifted but troubled writer.
Lilly is the youngest daughter of the Berry family and a prodigious writer from a young age. She is highly intelligent and sensitive, often retreating into her own world of words. Lilly achieves significant literary success with her novel, 'A Sexual Education,' which draws heavily from her family's experiences. Despite her accomplishments, she struggles with depression and the pressures of fame. Her character embodies both the creative spirit and the fragility that can accompany it, ultimately leading to her tragic suicide. Her death is another profound loss for the family.
Relationships: John Berry (Brother); Franny Berry (Sister); Win Berry (Father)
Egg Berry
Supporting
The youngest son, known for his small stature and quiet nature.
Egg is the youngest son of the Berry family. He is characterized by his small size and quiet demeanor, often seemingly overlooked amidst the more boisterous personalities of his siblings. Despite his unassuming nature, he is a beloved member of the family. His tragic death alongside his mother in the plane crash in Vienna is one of the most devastating events in the novel, symbolizing the family's vulnerability to external forces and the cruel randomness of fate. His loss contributes significantly to the lingering trauma experienced by the surviving Berrys.
Relationships: Win Berry (Father); Mary Berry (Mother); John Berry (Brother)
Susie the Bear
Supporting
A prostitute and later a facial reconstruction patient, connected to the hotels.
Susie the Bear is a prostitute whom the Berry family first encounters at the Gasthaus Freud in Vienna. She is a woman of resilience and mystery, who later undergoes extensive facial reconstruction surgery after being brutally attacked. She reappears in the New York Hotel New Hampshire, working in a new capacity. Her presence connects the family's past in Vienna with their present in New York, symbolizing survival, transformation, and the unexpected connections people make in life's strange hotels. She represents the unique and often marginalized individuals who find refuge in the Berry's establishments.
Relationships: John Berry (Acquaintance/friend); Win Berry (Employer/acquaintance)
Freud (the bear trainer)
Supporting
A vaudevillian bear trainer and Win Berry's friend.
Freud is a flamboyant and eccentric bear trainer, a friend of Win Berry from their youth. He is responsible for giving the Berry family their first bear, State O'Maine. Freud represents the unconventional and theatrical aspects of life that appeal to Win. His connection to the family, particularly through the bears, symbolizes the blend of the wild and the domesticated, the absurd and the tragic, that defines the Berry's existence. He embodies a certain kind of freedom and eccentricity that influences Win's worldview.
Relationships: Win Berry (Friend); State O'Maine (Bear trainer/owner)
Themes & Insights
Loss and Grief
The Berry family experiences an extraordinary amount of loss throughout the novel, from beloved pets to multiple family members. These tragedies are not just plot points but deep shapers of character and family dynamic. Each loss, whether the death of a bear, a dog, a mother, or a sibling, leaves a lasting mark, forcing the survivors to constantly adapt, mourn, and find new ways to cope. The novel explores the lasting impact of grief, how it can fracture a family, but also how it can forge unbreakable bonds and a unique resilience.
“You've got to get over it. You've got to get over it. You've got to get over it. But you don't get over it, do you? You just learn to live with it, and it never goes away.”
The Nature of Family and Love
The novel examines the unconventional and often taboo nature of family love. The Berry family's bonds are intense, idiosyncratic, and at times, incestuous, particularly between John and Franny. It challenges traditional notions of family, showing how shared trauma, eccentricity, and unwavering loyalty can create a unique, if complicated, form of love. The family unit is both a source of immense support and deep conflict, where love is expressed in unconventional ways, and loyalty often goes beyond societal norms.
“A good family is a family that makes you feel safe. It's a family that you can be yourself in. It's a family that loves you, even when you're not lovable.”
Dreams and Illusions
Win Berry's persistent 'dreaming on' is a central theme, highlighting the human need for hope and aspiration, even in the face of repeated failure and tragedy. His illusions about bears and hotels drive much of the plot. The novel explores the fine line between dreams that inspire and illusions that blind. While Win's dreams often lead to disaster, they also provide a framework for the family's life and a peculiar kind of resilience. It suggests that sometimes, the ability to 'dream on' is a necessary survival mechanism, even if those dreams are ultimately unattainable.
“The first of my father’s illusions was that bears could survive the life lived by human beings, and the second was that human beings could survive a life led in hotels.”
Identity and Transformation
Characters in 'The Hotel New Hampshire' undergo significant changes, both voluntary and involuntary. From Franny's journey from victim to avenger, to Susie the Bear's physical and personal reconstruction, to John's evolution into a writer, the novel explores how individuals adapt and redefine themselves after trauma and loss. The family's constant relocation and exposure to diverse cultures also contribute to their evolving identities. It suggests that identity is fluid, shaped by experience, tragedy, and the choices one makes after life-altering events.
“We are all the sum of our experiences and our choices. We are all, in a way, self-made.”
Sexual Awakening and Taboo
The novel explores themes of sexual awakening, desire, and taboo. John and Franny's incestuous relationship is a central and controversial element, challenging societal norms and exploring the complexities of love and intimacy within a highly unconventional family context. Franny's rape and subsequent revenge also delve into the darker aspects of sexuality, power, and violation. The book portrays sexuality as a powerful, often complicated force that can be both beautiful and destructive, integral to the characters' development and their understanding of themselves and each other.
“Love is not always what you expect it to be. It's not always what you're told it should be. Sometimes, it's just what it is.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Narration (John Berry)
The story is told through the eyes of John Berry, the chronicler.
The entire novel is narrated by John Berry, providing an intimate, subjective, and often retrospective account of his family's life. This device allows readers to experience the events through his unique perspective, colored by his deep affection for his family, his analytical mind, and his own emotional journey. His voice is often detached yet deeply personal, creating a sense of both immediacy and reflection. It also allows Irving to control the pacing and reveal information gradually, building suspense and emotional impact, while highlighting John's role as the family's historian.
Symbolism of Bears
Bears represent wildness, danger, and the untamed aspects of life.
Bears appear throughout the novel, from State O'Maine to Susie the Bear, symbolizing the wild, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous forces that coexist with human life. They represent nature's untamed power, the primal instincts within humanity, and the inherent risks of trying to domesticate the wild. The bears often act as catalysts for tragedy or transformation, reflecting the Berry family's own struggle to find order and safety amidst chaos. Their presence underscores the novel's themes of illusion, danger, and the precariousness of existence.
Recurring Motif of Hotels
Hotels as metaphors for transient homes, refuge, and life's journey.
The hotels—in New Hampshire, Vienna, and New York—serve as more than just settings; they are central metaphors. They represent temporary homes, places of transition, refuge for misfits, and stages where life's dramas unfold. Each hotel reflects the family's changing circumstances and emotional states. They are places where people arrive and depart, where secrets are kept, and where various eccentric characters converge. The hotels symbolize the transient nature of life, the search for belonging, and the idea that life itself is a journey through various temporary accommodations.
Foreshadowing and Prophecy
Hints and predictions of future events, creating a sense of inevitable tragedy.
Irving frequently employs foreshadowing, often through John's narrative voice or through seemingly innocuous details, to hint at future tragedies and developments. This creates a sense of impending doom and inevitability, making the losses and shocking events, while devastating, feel almost predestined. For example, the early deaths of State O'Maine and Sorrow foreshadow the greater losses to come. This device heightens the emotional impact of the plot, as readers are often aware of the looming misfortunes, making the family's resilience all the more poignant.
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
Who is the narrator of 'The Hotel New Hampshire'?
- John Berry
- Irving Berry
- John Irving
- Freud the animal trainer
Show answer
A. John Berry The passage explicitly states, 'So says John Berry, son of a hapless dreamer...'.
Question 2
What is the profession of the Berry family, as suggested by the novel's title and description?
- Bear trainers
- Authors
- Hoteliers
- Vaudevillians
Show answer
C. Hoteliers The title 'The Hotel New Hampshire' and the description 'Hoteliers' clearly indicate their profession.
Question 3
According to the narrator's father's illusions, what could NOT survive the life lived by human beings?
- Other families
- Bears
- Hotels
- Dreams
Show answer
B. Bears The opening sentence states, 'The first of my father’s illusions was that bears could survive the life lived by human beings...'.
Question 4
The Berry family is described as being 'playthings of mad fate'. What does this suggest about their lives?
- They are wealthy and influential.
- They have complete control over their destinies.
- Their lives are subject to unpredictable and often unfortunate events.
- They are content and live simple lives.
Show answer
C. Their lives are subject to unpredictable and often unfortunate events. The phrase 'playthings of mad fate' implies that their lives are largely dictated by chance and uncontrollable circumstances.
Question 5
Which of the following authors is mentioned as having written 'A Prayer for Owen Meany'?
- John Berry
- John Irving
- Freud the animal trainer
- The narrator's father
Show answer
B. John Irving The passage states, '...by the remarkable author of A Prayer for Owen Meany...'.
Question 6
The description of the Berry family includes being 'friends of Freud (the animal trainer and vaudevillian, that is)'. This implies:
- They have a close relationship with the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
- They are associated with someone named Freud who works with animals and performs.
- They are experts in Freudian psychology.
- They are enemies of a character named Freud.
Show answer
B. They are associated with someone named Freud who works with animals and performs. The parenthetical clarification 'the animal trainer and vaudevillian, that is' specifies which Freud is being referred to, distinguishing him from the psychoanalyst.
Question 7
The novel is described as 'funny, sad, outrageous, and moving'. This suggests the tone of the book is:
- Solely comedic
- Strictly tragic
- A blend of various emotional elements
- Primarily educational
Show answer
C. A blend of various emotional elements The combination of 'funny, sad, outrageous, and moving' indicates a complex and varied emotional landscape within the novel.
Question 8
What is the second illusion of the narrator's father, as mentioned in the opening quote?
- That bears could survive the life lived by human beings.
- That hotels could be profitable businesses.
- That human beings could survive a life led in hotels.
- That dreams could lead to happiness.
Show answer
C. That human beings could survive a life led in hotels. The opening quote explicitly states, '...and the second was that human beings could survive a life led in hotels.'
Question 9
The description of the Berry family implies they are:
- A typical, conventional family.
- A family with a history of stability and routine.
- A family involved in unusual and unconventional circumstances.
- A family focused solely on financial success.
Show answer
C. A family involved in unusual and unconventional circumstances. Phrases like 'hapless dreamer', 'cadre of eccentric siblings', 'pet-bear owners', and 'playthings of mad fate' all point to a family living an unconventional life.
Question 10
The phrase 'dream on' in relation to the Berry family suggests:
- They are constantly sleeping and unproductive.
- They are pursuing their aspirations, possibly in the face of adversity.
- They are experiencing nightmares and distress.
- They are living in a state of denial about reality.
Show answer
B. They are pursuing their aspirations, possibly in the face of adversity. In the context of a novel that is 'funny, sad, outrageous, and moving', 'dream on' likely refers to their continued pursuit of goals or their imaginative nature, rather than literal sleep or negative dreaming.
The Hotel New Hampshire FAQ
What is "The Hotel New Hampshire" about?
"The Hotel New Hampshire" tells the story of the eccentric Berry family, who own and operate a series of hotels. It chronicles their lives, loves, deaths, and the bizarre, often tragic, events that shape their experiences, all seen through the eyes of narrator John Berry.
Who are the main characters in "The Hotel New Hampshire"?
The central characters are the Berry family, including the narrator John Berry, his siblings, and their father, who dreams of running hotels and keeping bears. Their lives are intertwined with a cast of unusual guests and associates.
What are the key themes in "The Hotel New Hampshire"?
The novel explores themes of family, identity, dreams versus reality, the nature of good and evil, sexuality, and the search for belonging. It also touches on the idea of bears as a metaphor for the wildness and unpredictability of life.
Is "The Hotel New Hampshire" a sad book?
While "The Hotel New Hampshire" contains many deeply sad and tragic moments, it is also filled with humor, absurdity, and moments of profound love and resilience. It's a complex mix of emotions.
What is the significance of the bears in the novel?
The bears, particularly the pet bear named "Sutter," serve as a recurring motif and a symbol of the wild, untamed aspects of life that the Berry family tries to incorporate into their human existence. They represent both danger and a strange form of comfort.
How does "The Hotel New Hampshire" compare to other John Irving novels?
Like many of John Irving's works, "The Hotel New Hampshire" features eccentric characters, dark humor, themes of loss and resilience, and often shocking plot twists. It shares a similar blend of the tragic and the absurd found in books like "A Prayer for Owen Meany."
What is the role of the hotels in the story?
The hotels are more than just settings; they are characters in themselves and represent the Berry family's attempts to create a stable home and business. They become microcosms of the larger world, filled with diverse and often troubled individuals.
What does the narrator, John Berry, do?
John Berry is the youngest of the Berry siblings and serves as the narrator of the story. He is a thoughtful and often bewildered observer of his family's tumultuous lives, piecing together their history and his own.
Where can I find "The Hotel New Hampshire"?
"The Hotel New Hampshire" is widely available in print and digital formats at most major bookstores, online retailers, and libraries. It's a classic work by John Irving.
What is the overall tone of "The Hotel New Hampshire"?
The tone is a unique blend of dark humor, pathos, and a touch of the surreal. Irving masterfully balances outrageous events with moments of genuine emotional depth, making it both funny and deeply moving.
About the author
John Winslow Irving is an American-Canadian novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter.
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