Douglas Warren

Hotel Inspire Douglas Warren

"Henry Harris had a horrible habit of having his hands in his hair." Thus begins this quirky coming-of-age tale of a late-blooming 29-year-old-virgin. He leaves his parent's Manhattan apartment (for the first time) to attend a writers' retreat in France. Each summer Hôtel Inspiré hosts a retreat for artists from around the world. To attend all you need is a large pile of money, plus a vague notion of creating something: a novel, poems, paintings, or photos: literally anything creative. The fancy full-color brochure with wonderful pictures of the hotel convinces Henry it's time to experience the wider world. A frustrated wannabe poet, he assumes this romantic setting will inspire his poetry far beyond anything he's previously written. Indeed, Hôtel Inspiré does become a transformative experience. However, little did Henry know that the hotel would be full of eccentrics, a few of whom actually create works of art. There's also a love interest, at least in Henry's mind. Eventually he has to deal with 'life on life's terms, ' instead of stealing away, back to the safety of his parents' apartment. Luckily Henry is ready to change his life, despite difficulties along the way. Unexpectedly he also discovers his muse.