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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This is a masterpiece that combines the human and historical elements
Such an interesting setting and story line. Loved the characters and the style of writing.
Story is based on real places and events. Brilliant character development with tremendous depth and a plot that is fascinating, mostly realistic and always unexpected.
Having always been interested in Russia, I found this story interesting, humorous, and uplifting. A Count, placed under house arrest by the Bolsheviks after WWI, begins a new life and finds new interests through the people he meets each day.
This is a wonderfully constructed story with a great ending. I have recommended it to many people.
An interesting perspective on a punishment lived out in a Russian historical perspective. The author writes lyrically about a lovely man complying with and eventually finding joy and satisfaction in his setting. Be ready for the unpredictable, though!
Loved everything about this book
I would add that this is one of the most finely crafted novels I have read, and I have read many.
Very well written. The characters are well developed and likeable
This book had great characters and was very well written. It is the story of a Count in Russia who was sentenced to house arrest in a hotel in Moscow. It covers his life from the late 1880’s to the 1950’s. He is a man of character and it shows how he shared his life. I just wish I had known a bit more about Russian history while reading this book
This is a great (audio) book!
1. The premise is believable and intriguing:
2. The Russian history is effortlessly woven into the story so I learned something without feeling like I was being beaten over the head with it:
3. The characters, the animate (the Count, Nina, Sophia, Anna’s dogs, the chef, the maître d’, the hotel manager, &c) as well as the inanimate (the Grand Duke’s desk, the Metropol hotel, Moscow, Russia as a whole, &c) are so well developed, complex, memorable, and (most of them) lovable:
4. The twists and turns are spot on – enough to keep me interested but not so convoluted as to strain credulity:
5. The ending! The author didn’t lose control of the ending!
6. The narrator, Nicholas Guy Smith, was excellent:
Easily 5 stars! One of my favorite books!
Reading it for the second time and still love the development of the story!
This is one of the best books I have read recently. Who would have thought such a rich story line could be developed from a man under house arrest for decades in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow after the communist revolution? The wit and language used to follow the characters as the story broadens throughout the years enlivens those who populate the building. I highly recommended this novel.
Great descriptions of people, places and food. Interesting story that I did not want to end.
A very interesting storyline.
I loved this book. Great characters, original premise, a great read in an historical time period.
Best book I’ve read in awhile: Fiction but with accurate historical flavor, a very different plot, story moves easily and interestingly along, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Loved the story and the author’s style of writing.
I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read.
This book had wonderful characters that you came to know and love. Hated to have it end.