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.
more
I loved this book! That Alexander Rostov made “lemonade out of lemons” everyday for 30 years simply for his political views was beautiful to watch. The characters he interacted with and the friendships he made were so sweet–especially given their different “positions” in life. He was truly a gentleman.
I loved the premise of this book and the inspirational way the main character chooses to deal with his situation.
This is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. The whole premise was interesting. To think the story of an aristocrat imprisoned in a hotel in Moscow could be enthralling, is amazing. I highly recommend this book!
Excellent! Couldn’t put it down!
Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, Recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club, Master of the Hunt is confined to the Metropol Hotel for the duration: thus unfolds the opening scenes of Amor Towles’s masterful A Gentleman in Moscow.
And so the reader comes to know Rostov, a former aristocrat who openly declares to the court that it is “not the business of gentlemen to have occupations” but will spend decades working as a waiter at one of the Metropol’s hotel simply, it seems, to give a bit more structure to his days. So, too, is the reader introduced to the events unfolding in the new (and later not-so-new) USSR. Some of the events are smallish, such as the rationing that impacts the menu and some, like the workings of the communist bureaucracy, which leave no stone unturned – including the labels on bottles of wine, are indicative of the larger events brewing outside the Metropol. From the safety of his rooms in the hotel, Rostov lives World War II, the Cold War, and so many other seminal events.
As the century winds on and the Cold War plays out, Rostov transitions from a young man to a grandfatherly one. He befriends both staff and guests, the fabric of his life becoming ever richer despite the restrictions on his movement. Likewise, Rostov retains his wit (and his wits), his sometimes uncanny perception, and his loyalty to his friends and to the old Russia.
Towles’s story seems to tell itself, unfolding languidly, like Rostov’s years and building gradually. Every word reads as if plucked from the pages of Russian literature, such is A Gentleman in Moscow infused with zeitgeist. It is a pleasure to read in every sense of the word.
(This review was originally published at: https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2018/08/a-gentleman-in-moscow.html.)
Best book I have read in a long time!
Loved this book. One of my all-time favorites.
Beautifully written, against a background of history and intrigue, a whimsical story of a man condemned to live in a beautiful hotel for the rest of his life. The story is about the people he meets there, and how he manages to survive. The character development is rich and fascinating. An extremely satisfying read.
I loved this book. It is one of the best well- written books that I have read in a long time. It is definitely not a quick beach read.
Well written original story with history, culture and love!
From page one the author captures your attention with a description of the main
character. Without being wordy the descriptions in this book paint a perfect picture to make characters and locations easy to imagine.Encompassing several decades the story moves realistically but quickly to the conclusion. Teaches history in a wonderful a painless way. This book is unforgettable.
In these current chaotic and confrontational times it is so pleasant to read a genteel, well constructed, seemly novel while learning about Russian life after the revolution. Well drawn characters, a glimpse into a more civilized era.
I loved this book. Best read for me of this year. Highly recommend it
There aren’t enough books like this around these days. A member of the Russian aristocracy, rather than being shot after the Revolution, is placed under house arrest in a Moscow hotel for the rest of his days. With the wit, charm, and consideration for others that is the mark of the true gentleman, he makes the best of his imprisonment; indeed makes a life there. And what a life it is. What will become of him? Finding out is a joy.
Loved it! I was sorry it was over when I finished…
I just finished reading A Gentleman in Moscow. Though a historical novel, it is much more than that. Regardless of the genre you prefer to read, you’ll enjoy this book if you like great storytelling, superb writing, human insights, humor, wit, fascinating characters, philosophical asides, a captivating narrative voice, atmosphere, original metaphors and similes that hit the mark. Despite a slightly disappointing ending, I highly recommend this book. Caveat: if you need an action-filled plot and suspense this book is not for you (but you might try Red Romeo ). As for me, A Gentleman in Moscow takes its rightful place among my all-time favorites as the best and most enjoyable novel I have read in years.
Peter.
Peter Bernhardt, Author: The Stasi File, 2011 ABNA Quarter Finalist; Kiss of the Shaman’s Daughter [sequel]; Red Romeo;
http://tinyurl.com/a7rnpql – http://sedonaauthor.com – https://tinyurl.com/ycyvps3b
Great literature.
Very descriptive, light, funny view of the cold war period from a Russian’s perspective.
It is beyond me why this book is so highly rated. First half was just boring. Second half was better, but still didn’t think it was worth the time to read it.
Everything. A little intrigue. A little history. A little romance. Very well written. Couldn’t put it down.