Marta and her mother are alone, missing their father and husband, and with no idea if he has survived the war.
At least Marta’s mum has work as a maid in the grand hotel called Hotel Balzaar. They sleep in a small attic room, and eat bread and cheese in the kitchen together at lunchtimes. But life is sparse, along with hope for their loved one’s return.
Marta’s mum is serious when she tells her that they are not to be seen or heard within the hotel – and must be mice. Marta keeps herself entertained watching the bellman named Norman who has learnt to sleep standing up, but avoiding Alfonse the hotel receptionist. Alfonse is Norman’s opposite, rigid with rules and also believing she should not be seen or heard.
Things look up for Marta when a new guest arrives – this woman is a Countess, stern with Alfonse, but instantly kind to Marta. This countess has a large brightly coloured parrot on her shoulder, and Marta learns his name is Blitzkoff. He was once a general and cursed by a witch. Marta isn’t sure what to make of this, but soon hears more amazing things.
At first it’s a phrase from the countess that matches what her missing father used to say. There are more links to her past, and Marta becomes intrigued.
The Countess has seven stories for Marta. She tells them one at a time, and Marta gets frustrated at their vague endings and lack of connections. But she returns again and again to Room 314 to hear the countess and see Blitzkoff, who now perches on her shoulder too.
But just when Marta believes things will finally make sense she is left without hearing the 7th story. Frantic, she searches in vain and falls back into killing time watching the inner workings of The Hotel Balzaar.
Suddenly, the final story arrives with the meaning and understanding of all that the Countess was sharing with her. This story has the best ending of them all.
The second book in the Norendy Tale series by beloved and multi-award winning Kate DiCamillo. These stories have an old world European setting, where technology isn’t even thought of and stories are full of wonder.
In this story, a young girl named Marta meets a grand countess in Hotel Balzaar, where her mother works as a maid. Her life blooms from being not seen or heard to a world of stories, possibilities, magic and a large colourful parrot.
This story, like the first in the series, has wonderful connections within. These are made between stories within the story and cleverly constructed. Marta feels many emotions throughout – sadness, grief, confusion, intrigue, wonder, anger, frustration and then pure joy.
This gorgeous illustrated hardback will make a beautiful gift, and will be even better standing on the bookshelf besides its sibling – The Puppets of Spelhorst.
Author – Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator – Júlia Sardà
Age – 7+
Read a review for the 1st book in this series here
(2024, Walker Books Aust, Story within story, Series. Award winning author, Norendy, Family, Stories within a story, Parrot, Hotel, Missing father, Maid, Countess, Historical)