Summary of The Two Hotel FrancfortsÂ
In the summer of 1940, two couples hoping to escape Europe meet at the Café Suiça in Rossio Square, central Lisbon. They have practical problems to deal with, while they wait for the boat that will take them to the USA. “The Two Hotel Francforts” tells the story of a tense week spent in Lisbon, including a doomed love affair.
Reasons to read The Two Hotel Francforts
Lisbon was one of the last neutral ports in Europe where refugees tried to secure passage to the new world, at the onset of World War II. “The Two Hotel Francforts” offers a glimpse into the anxious atmosphere in Lisbon, where refugees from across Europe struggled to find a hotel room and a ticket to freedom. Above all, the novel highlights that, despite the grand events of world history, people continue to live their personal lives, with their own issues, challenges, and love affairs. For a similar portrayal of refugees stuck in Lisbon during the Second World War, see “The Night in Lisbon” by Erich Maria Remarque.
Setting: Lisbon (Portugal)
Original title: The Two Hotel Francforts
Year of publication: 2013
Nr of pages: 272
