Splendide-Hotel

From A to Z, from Alpha to Omega, Splendide-Hotel encompasses the natural movement and necessity of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet to grow into words which become phrases and sentences and paragraphs. Each of the twenty-six chapters becomes an opportunity for the author to expand on images suggested by each letter, as well as to reflect upon the workings of the imagination and the art of William Carlos Williams and Arthur Rimbaud. Rimbaud's "Splendide-Hotel", in Sorrentino's hands, becomes a hostel and haven for the poet's memorable characters and images, a Grand Hotel of the mind, splendidly conceived.

"Sorrentino can write with a wit that S.J. Perelman might envy . . . and with such sustained irony, seemingly effortless invention, and unfaltering verbal control. The result is prose of a rare deliciousness, but also a philosophy and critique of contemporary writing." (Washington Post Book World 6-3-84)

"Gilbert Sorrentino, who knows by poetic conviction that, 'Arthur Rimbaud was at the site of the construction when Splendide-Hotel was built,' knows also all about the chaos of ice and of the polar night in which it was built. He know the present hotel guests. He is critical, satirical and bitter with wit. He has 50/50 vision. He sees everything as it is and not astigmatically like politicians. . . . Being a poet he is a realist. He has appropriated the alphabet and invented a literary device for himself." (Louise Varse, translator of Rimbaud)

"[Splendide-Hotel] is so full of wit, sadness and delicious invention that the experience of reading it was like that of drinking the finest champagnes. It is rare and fine, and I'm grateful. I've been wandering in the halls of this building with that book in my hands, in order to bring it to the attention of any who might share my enjoyment. In the course of these peregrinations, I chanced on someone who informed me that Mr. Sorrentino lives right here, so now I'm hoping I may have an opportunity to meet him, and thank him for his book." (Alice S. Morris, former Literary Editor at Harper's Bazaar)