The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater.
An Ink-Stained Desk Book Review
Welcome, welcome, welcome,
It is not often that I pounce into your inbox on a Sunday, but I finished a book last night, (—well, let’s be honest, it was very early this morning.) and I just wanted to rave about it because it is not often that I find myself up at 1am unable to put a book down.
Full disclaimer I have to say first and foremost, thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC of The Listeners.
My love for Maggie Stiefvater began with The Raven Boys, a series I devoured and cherished. Now, with The Listeners, Stiefvater embarks on her first journey into adult fiction, a transition that often raises questions for readers. Fortunately, she not only maintains her signature style of whimsical characters and mesmerising descriptions but also expertly weaves them into a narrative that bravely confronts mature themes like the impact of war, entrenched class systems, and the often-overlooked historical treatment of neurodivergence.
The Plot
It’s 1942, and we find ourselves in the Appalachian Mountains, at the Avallon Hotel. With ‘450 staff, 420 rooms on 418 acres,’ it is a world unto itself, meticulously managed by June Hudson, or “Hoss” as her staff affectionately calls her. Yet, June’s most vital duty is something most of the staff are aware of, although it is only spoken about in hushed tones: a childhood spent in the surrounding mountains has granted her a singular understanding of how to balance the mystical “sweetwater” flowing both beneath and through the hotel.
When government officials commandeer the Avallon, converting it into a detention centre for upper-class war internees, June’s carefully balanced existence begins to unravel. June seems to take it all in stride, but her troubles begin to pile up. The staff don’t want to serve accused Nazi’s, a strange little girl arrives with the detainees and seems to understand the sweetwater just as well as June does, a mysterious long term guest in room 411 who refuses to leave, a plague of snails and June knows that the sweetwater is not happy.
Quotable Quotes
“This was the nature of the average Avallon guest: people so high on the social ladder they had to duck for the sun to go overhead.”
“This is the language of the lower class: immediacy, possession, lust, hunger, the obvious. This is the language of the ruling class: legacy, humor, artifice, generosity, subtlety.”
Highlights
One of Maggie Stiefvater's greatest strengths in all her books, which shows up beautifully in The Listeners, is the way she integrates magic into the plot. Here, the pervasive sweetwater is subtly woven into the narrative, an undeniable force important to the plot, but never overused or overtly obvious. This ensures the reader remains engaged with the struggles of the characters, rather than the magic itself being the sole focus.
Stiefvater’s focus on character interiority really shows in The Listeners, illuminating the complexities of class struggles in a way that is both humorous and had me nodding my head in agreement. In particular, the young detainee, Hannelore, stands out when I think about this. Her portrayal, which hints at neurodivergence without explicitly naming it, keeps with the understandings of the time the book is set, and is simply beautiful. A powerful quote that perfectly captured her unique sensory experience and resonated deeply with me was this:
" A change of scenery always provoked her. Food tasted loud. Clothing sang on her skin. Perfumes screamed in living color. Voiced braided during conversations, seeming to be in the wrong language no matter what was being said."
Did I mention the three dachshunds (two smooth, one wiry)? Any dog in any book is a highlight. (—unless we’re talking Cujo.)
Drawbacks
Full disclosure: finding a "drawback" for this review was surprisingly tough. If I'm completely honest, my only lingering thought about The Listeners is a perceived lack of a strong, overarching central conflict, particularly for our main character, June. Yes, June is pulled in a dozen directions at once, dealing with a whole heap of immediate pressures, but there isn't one singular, propelling conflict that truly drives the entire story forward. But is that even a drawback? I'm not entirely sure! Given the rising tide of "cozy" fiction, which often embraces a gentler pace and a less crisis-driven plot, perhaps this isn't a flaw at all, but rather a deliberate stylistic choice.
The Final Take
On the surface, The Listeners is a story of a grand hotel, its resourceful general manager, and the diverse individuals housed within its walls. Yet, beneath the surface, Maggie Stiefvater has packed in layers of social commentary. The hotel becomes a microcosm for exploring intricate class systems, the consequences of war and the many-sided treatment of 'the other,' whether by race, class, culture, or neurodivergence.
The Listeners is a strong 5-star rating for me. I can’t wait for whatever Stiefvater conjures up next.
C M Reid at The Ink-Stained Desk.
I confess I have not yet found space to read Maggie Stiefvater's fiction, but I find her an impressive force in speaking on the craft of writing. Without doubt her works are wonderful. Thank you for reviewing the Listeners!