From the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility and the forthcoming novel The Lincoln Highway, a story about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel—a beautifully transporting novel. The mega-bestseller with more than 2 million readers, soon to be a major television series In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a … Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.
Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.
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one of the best books I have ever read
I would go as far as call A Gentleman in Moscow a masterpiece.
I never re-read a book. I did re-read this one and will likely do so again. It is just that good! Hope this author lives long and writes much.
Amazing story of a man who created a rich, full life, despite desperate and cruel restrictions and confinement.
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
I loved the characters so much that I didn’t want the book to end. Towles did an incredible job of making a Russian aristocrat an endearing character that the average person could relate to.
Wonderfully well written and original. It’s impossible to describe!
See if you catch the reference to Eloise in the Plaza!
I enjoyed this book so very much. Loved all the characters. On a recent trip to Moscow, this book gave us an idea going to “The Metropole Hotel” for dinner which we enjoyed immensely. Then we walked around the hotel foyer trying to imagine how the Count’s life was back in the day. It was a wonderful evening.
A fabulous story from a fabulous writer!
A wonderful, unpredictable story that took me to unexpected places without leaving the hotel.
A book I’ll never forget. I looked forward to spending time with the Count every day. Such wonderful character development, just a joy to read!
Intriguing story, colorful and well written. Enjoyable character development with charm and wit!
Had trouble getting into this book, but once I did, I was so glad I read it!
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I have a large library and in 7th grade I read 600 books that year alone.
The character development is outstanding and the description of the Hotel are really clear and in-depth. I do not want to spoil a second of the readers exploration of this story, but it is really engaging.
I wish there was a follow up to the later years.
It is the story of a gentleman adapting to a very difficult situation while still enjoying all his days. He is imprisoned in a hotel and remains there through several government administration changes. He makes the most of every day by enjoying the relationships he has with the people who visit or live at the hotel and the restaurant and maintains his dignity throughout. Couldn’t put the book down.
Being of Eastern European ancestry and having visited Russia a couple of times, I found this book to be fascinating and entertaining and heartwarming on so many levels. The main character is really unflappable, and the circumstances so different from what any American might encounter. The author really immerses the reader in this circumscribed yet strangely liberating world. I highly recommend this book.
Hate to say I started this three times and even though everyone thinks it is great, I could not continue. Just now my cup of tea.
For some reason I had trouble getting into this, but once I did, I loved it.
Towles writing style is enjoyable. The plot was interesting and the characters had dimension. A very enjoyable read!
Put into my “read again some day” Book pile. With so many new books to read. If one makes it into the read again pile, it is an excellent book! Great Historical visual references.