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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I have always had a special interest in Russian history, especially the Revolution. This was a very ingenious setting and I found this book fascinating.
This is one of the most entertaining and delightfull books I hav2e resad, set inn the midst ofd terrible events inn Russia.
Leon Irish
Beautifully written-you will savor every page! Unlike any book I have ever read. Seems to appeal to men and women and people of all ages.
My favorite of 2018 and maybe the last 5 years.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent writing, interesting plot and characters along with historical fiction. Wonderful read.
The author’s writing is almost poetic. His musings convey pictures of his environment that allows you to be present. This is a story well told and meaningful.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in years. The main character is a charming Russian aristocrat forced to spend the rest of his days within a grand old hotel in Moscow. Through his eyes, we see the tumultuous transfers of power following the Russian Revolution. The story is so well-told, and so well-written, that I started to read slower as I neared the end, reluctant to say goodbye to these wonderful characters.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Towles style of writing – the imagery he created was beautiful.
A jewel
Elegiac and beautifully written.
Wonderful!
This book took me a couple of chapters to get into. But once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It was entertaining, educational, with a plot that took unexpected twists. The main character was able to adapt to his circumstances with an enviable ease. Through joy and tragedy you continually witness ‘the gentleman ‘.
The triumph of the human spirit in the most troubling of times.
This was great in audio format. The narrator made the story come to life. The storytelling was very well done.
Glorious prose, unusual story, historical background Lends itself to discussion therefore great for book clubs
I particularly enjoyed the main character’s adaptations to his changing circumstances and his relationships to the other people who lived or worked in the hotel Metropol. The backdrop of the Bolshevik experiment in cultural change made the story all the more interesting.
One could follow the actual arc of Soviet history as an undercurrent of the book. Altogether enjoyable reading of a well written book.
This was a beautifully written book that showed how an elegant, educated, and refined gentleman survived a drastic change of circumstances and an oppressive environment largely by being a consummate gentleman. While much of the book is without drama, the characters and beauty of the prose make it worth reading and rereading.
I loved this book. The writing is exquisite and the plot is unusual and intriguing with a fantastic ending!
Lots of historical information written in an entertaining and interesting way.
Best book I’ve read this year. The author creates a fascinating world. Terrific writing. One of books I didn’t want to end.