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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Excellent prose and characters.
Different type of story, intriguing at the beginning, engaging and stayed with me long after the book was back on the shelf.
This seems to be a book everyone likes or just doesn’t care for. Loved it for it’s originality, loveable characters and atmosphere. A future film is being made based on this book – look forward to seeing it.
Amazing!!! Such a delight!
One of the best books I’ve ever read. Absolutely fascinating.
Starts out slow, but holds interest
Wonderful elegantly civilized evocation of Russia in the throes of the Bolshevik revolution
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read! From the first page I read as slowly as possible in order to extend the pleasure. The characters are admirable, the writing is superb, and the story is fascinating. I don’t have the words, but the author does!
The best book I’ve read in decades!
This book is about Count Alexander Rostov who in 1922 is sentenced to house arrest at the Metropol in Moscow where he resides. An aristocrat that has never worked a day in his life must now live in the attic of the hotel, in a tiny room, and leave most of his possessions behind. The outside world of Russia continues on without him as he is never permitted to step outside. But his life is rich and full as a cast of characters come in and out of his life as he lives out his days behind the walls of the hotel. He forms several lasting relationships with staff at the hotel (especially the chef for Alexander has an intense interest in good food) and two little girls who he comes to care deeply for as a father figure. There are times where the Count feels low and wishes he could end it all but someone or something always pulls him back from the brink. He becomes the most alive when he takes on a job as a waiter in the hotel’s restaurant and is invited to taste test the food before it is served each evening.
This was a fantastic book. It is beautifully written, and is making my list of best books I have read this year. I enjoyed every sentence. The book time hopes over many years – covers the Counts life as he lives out his days (and his sentence) in the hotel. He meets several people at his time there that change his life forever, and stay interwoven in his life and this story throughout the book.
It is a beautiful story and you shouldn’t miss it. Put this book on your must read list for 2019.
I loved it. It took me into a special world and held me . A time of civility and loyalty to purpose and dignity. Sweet humor and excellent description of a bygone era.
This novel was well-written with memorable characters that show the reader how to survive unexpected hardship well. The quirky main character has stayed with me as someone I am glad to have enjoyed knowing through his story. The setting and history also entranced me as a reader.
One of the top ten books that I have read in the past fifty years. Loved the premise, characters and how seamlessly it flowed. A very sweet story !
I relished every page of this book and every character. Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in the Hotel Metropol in Moscow. It is through his eyes and heart that we watch the historical events reaging through the country from the 1920s to the 1950s. For all those years the Count could not leave the hotel. Reading the book, I was entranced to be there with him.
BLURB
In 1922, Count 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.
http://www.darlenejonesauthor.com
Writing and use of English language is superb. Plot original with lots of insight into the Soviet Union’s domestic policies.
It was very well written
This book is well written and filled with insights that bring a sense of reading something well worth taking my time.
I had to admire the main character for the way he learned over the thirty years of his confinement how he turned it into a positive life for himself and others. Ended well with specific details.
A Gentleman in Moscow follows a Russian aristocrat from the 1917 revolution through the rise of the Bolsheviks and the succession of Stalin and his ruthless Five Year Plans. He is a remnant of the old world who adapts to the revolutionary changes in Russian society and his own status without bitterness or recriminations. Ousted from his palatial apartment, he raises a young girl while working as a waiter and living in a garret at the historic Moscow Metropol Hotel. She grows up wanting to be a princess but leaves him to build the new world in remote Siberia with her communist husband. This is a great way to watch the evolution of 20th century Russia from the windows of the grand old hotel.
Beautifully written story. Fabulous book!