Hotel Bemelmans by Ludwig Bemelmans

I read this book after rave reviews in the NY Times Book Review. A reminder to self - rave reviews do not mean I will like it myself. I did like the Madeline books which Bemelmans wrote so I thought I would read this to learn about his life. And some of it was interesting - he grew up on Austria- hated school, went to work for an uncle in the hotel business and then managed to make every mistake he possibly could including shooting a waiter (he lives). Ludwig is sent off to New York with a few names from his uncle to make a new life. He lands eventually at the Ritz and has a long career there as a bad waiter and then caterer. There were some funny spots, but this was so old fashioned 1940ish that I had trouble doing much more than skimming his antics. Note to others - don't waste your time with this one.