The Invisible Hotel was unexpectedly brilliant! An amazing exploration of intergenerational and cultural trauma. As some other reviews have pointed out, it could have been slightly shorter. I can't wait to see what comes next from Ham, definitely one to watch.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Yeji Y. Ham's "The Invisible Hotel" is a mesmerizing and haunting addition to the genre of literary horror. It's a novel that weaves the supernatural with the all-too-real horrors of war, memory, and the burden of history. The story of Yewon, a young woman entangled in a web of surreal dreams and the stark realities of life in a South Korean village, is both harrowing and deeply moving. Ham masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the individual's struggle as it is a reflection on a nation's collective trauma.

The novel's setting—a hotel with infinite rooms and keys, symbolizing the unending maze of history and memory—is brilliantly conceptualized. Ham's writing is atmospheric and evocative, creating a sense of unease and intrigue that compels the reader to delve deeper into Yewon's world. The imagery of the decrepit bathtub and the ancestral bones is striking, serving as a powerful metaphor for the weight of history and the scars of a war that lingers in the collective consciousness of the characters.

Ham's exploration of themes such as familial bonds, cultural heritage, and the haunting presence of past conflicts is done with both subtlety and depth. The portrayal of Yewon's family, each member grappling with their own ghosts and struggles, adds layers of complexity to the narrative. This is not just a story of individual horror, but a poignant commentary on the societal and psychological impacts of war and division.

"The Invisible Hotel" stands out for its unique blend of gothic horror and political allegory. It is reminiscent of Han Kang's "The Vegetarian" and Yoko Ogawa's "The Memory Police" in its ability to balance the surreal with the profoundly real, the personal with the political. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate literary horror that not only scares but also provokes thought and empathy. Yeji Y. Ham has created a work that is haunting in its imagery and profound in its exploration of human and national psyche, making "The Invisible Hotel" a remarkable and unforgettable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. The story was very disturbing and awful but chose to portray the true reality of life and all its sorrows. The writing was very well done and evocative, and I loved reading about Korean culture which is so dear to my heart. Really enjoyed all the elements of the story, although perhaps the novel should have been shorter. 3 stars.

I don't know much South Korea so I found this to be a bit educational. I definitely think it could have been shorter, but it was still a heartbreaking portrait of how a country might cope with tragedy, and a young woman's struggle with finding her place in it all. It is certainly a unique addition to the gothic/horror genre

It would've been quite an effective study of the ways in which post-war trauma warps temporality had it been at least a hundred pages shorter. As it is, one can feel the metaphors being belabored and stretched beyond their welcome. On the other hand, I did learn new things about South Korea - I didn't know it was quite a militarized society as depicted in the novel, and that the militarization takes its toll in that way. Additional star for that.

One of my favorite books this year. While very disturbing at times, it was so well written and will stay with me for days..look forward to seeing more by this author.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

This book had me hooked from page one, and I didn't want to stop reading. The writing is very atmospheric and beautiful, and the way the "horror elements" connected everything was really nicely done. I really liked the exploration of family, grief and generational trauma, and how, for Yewon, the town she was born in was a sort of symbol of all this. She wants to get away from Dalbit, but she realizes that there are certain things you cannot escape just by physically moving away from them. It was interesting to see how shared trauma can both pull people apart, but also connect them. I definitely preferred reading the parts that took place in Dalbit, but it made sense for the story to take place in more than one location.
I don't really have any notes atm. I just enjoyed this