Clare

Clare is the protagonist of The Third Hotel. After the death of her husband, Richard, Clare goes to Havana for unknown reasons. At the beginning of the novel, she believes it is to fulfil her late husband’s desires to see the first Cuban-made horror film. As the narrative continues, it becomes less clear why Clare came to Havana and what made her stay past her original week-long trip. The question is presented to Clare numerous times in the book, but a clear answer never arises. While in Havana, Clare reminisces about her marriage with Richard. Her character in this book is heavily tied with her husband’s death and the future death of her father. When the narrator is detailing past events, it almost exclusively deals with her marriage, Richard’s death, a memory about her father or his current state in the decline of dementia.

Throughout...