Showing Posts From
The barman of the ri
Author: Philippe CollinPage Count: UnknownPublication Date: Expected publication 2026-09-01 APL As a high-society historical purist, I must say, I find the premise of The Barman of the Ritz by Philippe Collin to be nothing short of captivating. An international bestseller, with a true story at its core, set amidst the Nazi occupation of Paris? One can hardly resist the allure of such a narrative. But let us not be hasty, shall we? The Ritz Hotel, that paragon of luxurious excess, becomes an unlikely hub of clandestine activity, as Frank Meier, the celebrated bartender, harbors a secret: he is Jewish. Ah, but that's not the only complexity at play here. The barman's predicament raises the stakes, for in a city under occupation, one's very existence hinges on the choices made behind the bar. Or does it? —Is Collin merely paying lip service to the notion of moral complexity, or does he genuinely grasp the nuances of human psychology in the face of unfathomable adversity? The parallels to the works of Ian McEwan and Kate Atkinson are undeniable, yet Collin's writing style appears to be a more subtle, restrained affair. His characters, though, are where the real intrigue lies, for Frank Meier's precarious position is matched only by his determination to protect those he cares about. But can one truly protect others when one's every move is under scrutiny? And what of the Nazi officers, who, with all their pomp and circumstance, must surely be oblivious to the subterfuge unfolding around them? Tensions rise, stakes escalate, and the narrative teeters on the precipice of something much greater. But what exactly is Collin trying to convey here? A story about heroism, perhaps? About the human spirit's capacity to endure even the most inhumane of circumstances? Or is it merely a shallow tale of intrigue, designed to titillate rather than genuinely provoke? —Collin seems to be walking a tightrope here. In The Barman of the Ritz, we find echoes of another, more recent trend: the resurgence of World War II literature. Novels like Sebastian Faulks' Charlotte Gray and Tatiana de Rosnay's Sarah's Key have reaped critical acclaim for their historical accuracy and literary flair. Can Collin join their ranks? I rather think he does, though I must confess, the synopsis offers little in the way of concrete answers. It's all a bit...vague, isn't it? One cannot fault Collin's ambition, though. He aims to breathe life into a pivotal moment in history, using the Ritz Hotel as a metaphor for the war's impact on everyday lives. He succeeds, to a certain extent, in crafting a narrative that's both historically informed and emotionally resonant. Yet, I must express my disappointment that the synopsis barely scratches the surface. One is left to wonder: what secrets lie beneath the surface of Frank Meier's character? What choices will he make, and how far will the war drive him? Alas, the details remain stubbornly opaque. But I digress. If Collin's The Barman of the Ritz is as magnificent as ELLE and Le Parisien proclaim it to be, it's because of its capacity to capture the very essence of human vulnerability amidst unfathomable cruelty. Or is that merely a tantalizing prospect, rather than an achievable reality? I suppose we shall see. As I conclude this assessment, I am reminded of a rather poignant observation: sometimes, it's not the grand gestures that make history, but the small acts of defiance that leave an indelible mark. Or does that merely sound like a trite phrase? Ah, well. Perhaps I dozed off in the middle of writing this. Anyway. I'm off to grab a cold beer on the porch now. #historyliterature #WWII #newbooks #WWIIhistory #bookcritic