La Belle Époque in the mirror of young adult fantasy (Emily J. Taylor’s novel Hotel Magnifique)
Abstract
This article explores the artistic world and poetics of the debut fantasy novel Hotel Magnifique by American writer Emily J. Taylor. The relevance of the study is determined the contemporary interest of literary studies in various modifications of fantasy literature, as well as the insufficient exploration of the features of modern fantasy, particularly the works of E. J. Taylor.
The aim of the research is to identify the specific ways in which the features and atmosphere of La Belle Époque (the “Beautiful Era” at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries) are represented in the novel Hotel Magnifique, and to clarify the interaction between standard elements of young adult fantasy and an original cultural and historical setting.
The novel Hotel Magnifique reveals the key characteristics of young adult fantasy: a magical world of adventure and enchantment, mysteries, quests, unexpected plot twists, the coming-of-age of a teenage heroine who faces challenges and finds the courage to overcome them, as well as a romantic storyline. The author combines elements of classical, mystical, romantic and dark fantasy.
The features of La Belle Époque are reflected in the characters’ personalities and appearances, in the artistic space and material world, in the specifics of magic and enchantment, and also on the intertextual level. The luxurious traveling hotel with maritime motifs embodies an important trend of the Art Nouveau era – the rapid growth of cruise tourism. The elegance and decorative richness of the interiors, the spectacularity, and the atmosphere of pleasure, entertainment, and festivity conceal an underlying anxiety and dramatic tension characteristic of the fin de siècle.
The main advantage of the novel lies in the combination of typical features of young adult fantasy with a unique atmosphere and interiors inspired by the Art Nouveau period. At the intersection of these spheres, the characters, plot developments, material details, and overall atmosphere seem to double and shimmer with a dual light. In the magical story of the existence and transformations of the mysterious hotel, the traits of La Belle Époque are reflected, and certain genre clichés acquire additional meaning.
Downloads
References
Buivol, O. V. (2009). On the problem of genre classification of fantasy. Language and Culture, (11), 238–241. [in Ukrainian].
Bulaieva, K. (2024). Will you like the novel Hotel Magnifique. Vivat Online Bookstore. https://vivat.com.ua/blog/vse-pro-knyzhku-hotel-magnifik/ Retrieved from [in Ukrainian].
Wilde, O. (2003.). The picture of Dorian Gray. Kyiv. Retrieved from https://www.ukrlib.com.ua/world/printit.php?tid=21 [in Ukrainian].
Hura, V. M. (2020). Fantasy as a genre of children’s literature: Text-typological and narrative features. Scientific Notes of V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University. Series: Philology. Social Communications, 31(70), 4(2), 57–62. [in Ukrainian].
Deviatko, N. V. (2024). Methodology of studying the fantasy genre in the socio-philosophical aspect. Scientific Notes of V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University. Series: Philology. Journalism, 35(74). Retrieved from https://www.philol.vernadskyjournals.in.ua/journals/2024/5_2024/part_2/6.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Dolbenko, T. (2006). Problems of age and psychological characteristics of adolescent readers in the 20th century within the system of activating their cognitive activity. Bulletin of the Book Chamber, (6), 21–24. [in Ukrainian].
Zaichenko, Y. V. (2015). Fantasy as a genre of modern fiction. Scientific Notes of Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University. Series: Philology (Linguistics), (21), 252–256. [in Ukrainian].
Zaiachuk, O., & Bryk, S. (2022). History of tourism: Study guide. Yurii Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. [in Ukrainian].
Kovaliv, Y. I. (2007). Fantasy. In Y. Kovaliv (Ed.), Literary encyclopedia (Vol. 2, pp. 529–530). Akademiia. [in Ukrainian].
Manakhov, O. I. (2014). Literary tradition and the fantasy genre. Scientific Bulletin of the International Humanities University. Series: Philology, (8), 2, 115–117. [in Ukrainian].
Pidchasov, Ye. V., Chepelieva, N. I., & Lazareva, T. S. (2024). Psychological and pedagogical aspect of the formation of modern youth consciousness under the influence of young adult fiction. Bulletin of Science and Education, (1(19)), 424–433. https://doi.org/10.52058/2786-6165-2024-1(19)-424-433 [in Ukrainian].
Pryimak, A. M., & Iskorostenska, A. V. (2024). “Young adult” as a genre of contemporary Polish literature for adolescents. Scientific Bulletin of the International Humanities University. Series: Philology, (65), 202–205. https://doi.org/10.32782/2409-1154.2024.65.44 [in Ukrainian].
Proust, M. (1997). In search of lost time. Vol. 1: Swann’s way (A. Perepadia, Trans.). Kyiv: Univers. Retrieved from https://www.ukrlib.com.ua/world/printit.php?tid=3894 [in Ukrainian].
Dark fantasy: What is it and what is it about? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.team-gerbera.com.ua/dark-fantasy-what-and-for-what/ [in Ukrainian].
Riazantseva, T. M., & Kanchura, Ye. O. (Eds.). (2024). Magic in fantasy literature: Definitions, manifestations, functions (Collective monograph). Kyiv: NAS of Ukraine, T. H. Shevchenko Institute of Literature. [in Ukrainian].
Cherniavska, O. S. (2015). On the issue of fantasy genre classification. Literary Studies, 1(2), 323–331. [in Ukrainian].
Shpak, I. V. (2009). Fantasy as a genre of mass literature. Literature in the Context of Culture, 19, 354–359. [in Ukrainian].
Holmes, D. and Grant, C. (Eds.) (2006). A Belle Epoque?: Women and Feminism in French Society and Culture 1890–1914. New York; Oxford: Berghahn Books. https://doi.org/10.3167/9781845450212 [in English].
Greenhalgh, P. (Ed.). (2000). Art Nouveau, 1890–1914. London: Victoria and Albert Museum. [in English].
Cart, M. (2001). From insider to outsider: The evolution of young adult literature. Voices from the Middle, 9(2), 95–97. [in English].
Clute, J. (1997). Dark fantasy. In J. Clute & J. Grant (Eds.), The encyclopedia of fantasy (p. 249). London: St. Martin’s Press. [in English].
Clute, J. (1997). Fantasy. In J. Clute & J. Grant (Eds.), The encyclopedia of fantasy (p. 338). London: St. Martin’s Press. [in English].
Cronshaw, J. (2023, December 9). Discovering nobledark: A revelation in the shadows. Retrieved from https://joncronshaw.com/2023/12/09/discovering-nobledark-a-revelation-in-the-shadows/ [in English].
Taylor, E. J. (2022, September 10). Emily J. Taylor author of Hotel Magnifique interview. Retrieved from https://heyitscarlyrae.com/emily-j-taylor-author-of-hotel-magnifique-interview/ [in English].
Fawakherji, I. (2022, August 16). Art Nouveau. ArchUp. Retrieved from https://archup.net/art-nouveau/ [in English].
Gates, P. S., Steffel, S. B., & Molson, F. J. (2013). Fantasy literature for children and young adults. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press. [in English].
Jullian, P. (1982). La Belle Époque (D. Vreeland, Illus.). New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [in English].
Kalifa, D. (2021). The Belle Époque: A cultural history, Paris and beyond (S. Emanuel, Trans.). New York: Columbia University Press. https://doi.org/10.7312/kali20208 [in English].
Lahor, J. (2007). Art Nouveau. New York: Parkstone Press International. [in English].
Mendlesohn, F., & James, E. (2012). The Cambridge companion to fantasy literature. New York: Cambridge University Press. [in English].
Short, K., Tomlinson, C., Lynch-Brown, C., & Johnson, H. (2014). Essentials of young adult literature (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. [in English].
Sternau, S. (1996). Art Nouveau: Spirit of the Belle Époque. New York: Todtri. [in English].
Taylor, E. J. (2022). Hotel magnifique. New York: Razorbill. Retrieved from https://oceanofpdf.com/authors/emily-j-taylor/pdf-epub-hotel-magnifique-download-49310717758/ [in English].
Clute, J., & Grant, J. (Eds.). (1997). The encyclopedia of fantasy. London: St. Martin’s Press. [in English].
Tucker, A. (2022). Review of Hotel Magnifique, by E. J. Taylor. Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 75(7), 231–232. https://doi.org/10.1353/bcc.2022.0144 [in English].
Zahorski, K., & Boyer, R. (1982). The secondary worlds of high fantasy. In R. C. Schlobin (Ed.), The aesthetics of fantasy literature and art (pp. 56–81). Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press. [in English].
