Hotel Lonely Hearts

More about the book

In a spellbinding tale reminiscent of The Night Circus, two gifted orphans, Pierrot and Rose, fall in love while navigating a world filled with charismatic pianos, invisible dance partners, and an underworld economy based on the price of a kiss. Abandoned in a Montreal orphanage in 1910, their extraordinary talents soon emerge: Pierrot is a piano prodigy, while Rose brings joy with her dancing and comedy. As they perform clown routines around the city, their bond deepens, and they dream of creating an extraordinary circus show. However, their paths diverge as teenagers during the Great Depression, forcing them into the city's underbelly where they grapple with sex, drugs, and theft to survive. Years later, they reunite beneath the snowflakes, reigniting their childhood dreams. Determined to realize their vision, they gather a troupe of clowns and chorus girls, taking New York by storm. Their performances transform both the theater and the underworld, showcasing the power of love and creativity. With her lyrical prose and vividly imagined world, Heather O'Neill weaves a magical narrative that captivates and enchants.