The Frangipani Hotel: Fiction

Short stories are usually hit or miss for me, and this one was definitely a hit. Most of the individual stories deserve a 5-star rating, but as a collection I settled upon 4 stars. As a whole I found all of the stories to be highly suspenseful, with surprisingly well fleshed-out characters despite the confines of the short-story format. While some may be a little gruesome in places, they are more about atmosphere and suspense than sheer shock or gore. They are just eerie enough to be interesting—even haunting—without inducing nightmares.

Although based on traditional Vietnamese ghost stories, there was a quality reminiscent of the American ghost stories that my dad—a master storyteller— used to tell us kids, making it extra show more special and relatable to me. I kept thinking how much I wish my dad was still around to share these with. I will definitely recommend this book to others who appreciate this genre, and will be on the look-out for future works by this author.

I received an advanced reading copy via Netgalley.com in exchange for my review. show less

From the streets of Houston, to the alleys of Ho Chi Minh City, to a rundown hotel in Hanoi, to a lonely road in the Southern part of Vietnam--to any place she wants to take us--Violet Kupersmith's debut collection of short stories is stunning in its atmosphere, language, and impact. Almost all of these stories have a supernatural element, but in Kupersmith's hands the supernatural becomes an accepted, believable part of our world. Many of the stories in this collection are also stories within stories, which for many writers is a recipe for disaster at worst and a severely weakened story at the best. Again, Kupersmith uses the device skillfully, and it adds to the suspense of each story. I can't emphasize how much fun this book is to show more read and how engaging it is. Kupersmith, whose mother was Vietnamese, and who spend a year in Vietnam on a Fulbright Fellowship, captures the aura of Asia--or Asia as transplanted to America--in almost every paragraph. Although all of these stories center around Vietnam or the Vietnamese experience, you don't have to have an interest in either to appreciate their craftsmanship and the genuine chills they deliver. Kupersmith doesn't have to resort to tricks to achieve her effect; this is a wonderful writer who knows exactly what she is doing. And I can't wait to see what she does next. show less

Blame it on Interpreter of Maladies. Ever since I read that moving, evocative collection of short stories I’ve been drawn to other collections with a distinct sense of place and exploring the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. The Frangipani Hotel is an enjoyable, imaginative entry into that genre with the added element of folktales intertwining with the supernatural. While it doesn’t rise to the level of Jumpa Lahiri’s masterpiece, it is a window into a world with traditions and culture that few Westerners know about. These are not ghost stories that are particularly frightening, but more unsettling, and give a sense of something unforgiving, whether they are set in Vietnam or among struggling immigrants and their show more children in the US.
There are things in the realism of it that stand out. The immigrant in Houston with a functional kitchen who washes dishes in a bucket in the bathroom. The huge rats scurrying along the market stall counters. The pathetic cat who wants desperately to be taken in. They are in their way as creepy and otherworldly as the semi-feral twins and the man who transforms into a snake. The writing is lovely and rich, the characters vivid in their particular anguish. The stories seem more like set pieces, though, rather than complete stories with and arc and a potent emotional punch. While most are a good length, they seem to peter out without much of anything happening or being resolved.
I’d be interested to see the world that Ms. Kupersmith creates in her first novel, which she is working on. I imagine it will be more satisfying for the reader to spend a whole book getting to know her fascinating characters and the world she creates around them. show less

Violet Kupersmith's debut collection, The Frangipani Hotel, has some wonderful stories. All with a touch of Vietnam, these ghost stories often blend the war era with modern times. Many are startling and creepy, but what's most impressive is the variety from one story to the next. Overall, this collection had some hits and it had its misses. There were some stories that felt unworked, perhaps even a bit juvenile; let's acknowledge that for the age and experience of the author, this is an amazing start. Kupersmith wrote this collection as an undergraduate. I expect a couple years working on the craft, receiving guidance from a mentor, and gaining more world experience will make her a literary strength to be reckoned with. An average score show more for The Frangipani Hotel, but I have high hopes for the author. show less

Comprised of stories, this book explores Vietnamese ghost stories by setting them in the present day. Beautifully written, most of these stories are both wistful and incredibly creepy. Many are set in Vietnam but there are also some that follow Vietnamese living in the United States. I enjoyed those set in Vietnam more as the setting itself added mystique and authenticity to the stories. I wasn’t expecting to be so drawn into these stories and I find myself still thinking about them well after finishing. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this volume of short stories, right from the first page. Reminiscent of Aimee Bender, Elizabeth Hand, Sara Maitland, and Ludmilla Petrushevskaya, Kupersmith's stories have that wonderful mix of mood, slightly supernatural-y elements, and lovely language you just want to pluck out and savor.

These nine stories are set in Vietnan or in Vietnamese-American households in the US. Most have an undercurrent of creepiness to them due to a vaguely supernatural or paranormal element, usually due to creatures from myth and folk lore. They're about family -- and the mysteries in families -- or one's identity. They're about the power and danger of stories and questions. They're flat out awesome.

I don't know if I can pick a favorite from the show more collection, as I adored each one as soon as I finished. Kupersmith quickly evokes sense of place and characters in a few sentences, but nothing ever felt rushed or quick. There's both mood and plot in every piece.

Our muddy patch of the world was already shadowy and blood-soaked and spirit-friendly long before the Americans got here. (p56)

I inhaled this volume in a night. Apparently Kupersmith is writing a novel, and I cannot wait for it. Given this taste of her style of writing, her novel is going to be incredible.

Highly, swoon-i-ly recommended. Those who aren't wild about short stories should give these a try -- each story has a satisfying arc and a fabulous ending. Short story fanatics will obviously want to get this collection. Anyone who wants an armchair escape and a brush with something ghostly and otherworldly, this is your book. show less

ATTENTION! Nebula nominators and World Fantasy Award voters! You want to read this book!
Yes, I know it says "The Frangipani Hotel: Fiction." And the cover is ever so tastefully vague and understated. A more accurate title might be: "The Frangipani Hotel: Dark, Lush and Horrific Ghostly Tales of Vietnam." If the cover artist really wanted to reflect the content of the book, there'd be a creepy zombie walking through the fog, next to that quaint boat.

But, Kupersmith is clearly a new young author to watch. She does a fantastic job of melding Vietnamese folklore with the complex, rich realities of the country. Her writing style is graceful, and captures the nuances of horror - using understatement to great effect, contrasting the beautiful show more with the grisly.

My only complaint is that this collection of short stories is all too brief. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

Contents:
Boat Story
Reception
Skin and Bones
Little Brother
The Red Veil
Guests
Turning Back
One-Finger
Descending Dragon

Copy received from NetGalley and Random House, which does not affect my review in any way. Thanks! show less