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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We read this for my book club and we were all absolutely blown away by it. We loved the slightly convoluted plot, the characters, the historical context, the hotel and the wonderful ending. It has convinced all of us that we really must go to Moscow and stay in the hotel Metropole!
Great synopsis of Russian history written in a very readable format thru the eyes of a noble who is “exiled” to a room in a well known Moscow hotel.
Loved this book. Kept my interest, learned interesting things and loved the characters
Loved the writing; insightful, entertaining and different genre.
Very good use of language. Warm story.
The descriptions of characters places and experience s were delightful. The Count reminds me of a very proper priest who was a good friend who I miss every day.
Beautifully written. Great character development. Each chapter a gift. One of only a handful of books I will re-read
This book has been on bestseller lists for TWO years!
One of the best books I have read this year. The word pictures Towles creates are just beautiful.
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It seems to be difficult for me to find books this good. I hope the author is working on another book!. Another book by him, Rules of Civility, is equally good.
East to read. Surprising themes.
Wonderfully written!
A great read and well suited to our book discussion group. It follows The Count from early Communism through his later years. Although he is under house arrest and does not leave the hotel, the world comes to him, offering a rich tapestry of characters and their political context. Realistic characters made it easy ti stay with.
This is the first book by Amor Towles that I have read and it won’t be the last; with beautiful use of language, fabulous story and informative!
A great read!
Loved this book! One of the best I’ve ever read! The author is a master with words, the story opens our eyes to life in Russia after the revolution as the story unfolds. Can’t say enough good about this book.
Delightful!!
First, do not read this book as some kind of history of Moscow or the Communists. It is about gentlemanly conduct in a world that doesn’t see how caring for others in a personal way makes all the difference.
I would give it 10 stars if I could. The author has a way with words. Beautifully written.
One of the best books I have read recently. Maybe THE best.
I actually read it twice, and that was worth doing. The first time I read it because a friend recommended it. The second time was for my book club, and I was the leader. I picked up a lot the second time, that I had not noticed the first time.
I will not give a synopsis here because it is too much fun reading the book on one’s own.