The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Book Review

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: A Novel by Deborah Moggach

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After seeing the film, Deborah Moggach's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not quite the light-hearted read I expected. It could just be where I am in my own life (mid-30s, single, worried about the future), or maybe it is actually one of Moggach's themes that became more apparent as I read the book.

Regardless, I enjoyed this read as much as I enjoyed the movie. It's probably not obvious, but I really liked both (hence, the four Goodreads stars). Although, come to think of it, I am annoyed that the original book title changed from These Foolish Things to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. If it was the author's original choice, then great, if it was changed to sell more books after the movie came out, well...

But I digress. And, I forgot to mention - spoiler alert.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is an easy read, and one that I recommend. The central theme focused on relationships - the relationships that older people have with each other, their adult children, and young people. A group of British senior citizens make their way to India to live out their so-called golden years in a hotel-turned-retirement community known as the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The story moves from person to person, and you read about each of their struggles. The multiple story lines and character perspectives flowed well. The hard part was reading all the things I personally fear about growing old. From being alone (whether it be because my spouse dies or I never marry) to still floundering for happiness to being married to someone fro 48 years, only to realize with glaring clarity that you just don't like the person.

Yet, I enjoyed it. Enjoyed it to the point that I actually want to go to India now. A huge mind shift for my first-world-clinging-self.



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