A Gentleman in Moscow

This slow paced novel offers a tour of Russian history from 1918 through 1954. Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, a well educated noble man of culture, is caught in the Bolshevik revolution and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Moscow Metropol, a timeless grand hotel. Instead of despairing his greatly reduced circumstances, the Count adapts wonderfully, meeting many true friends along the journey.

To give a book five stars after beginning it with an uncharitable disposition is high praise. For almost one hundred pages, I expected a sudden turn toward high drama and action; instead, a beautiful story builds upward and outward even as the Count remains under house arrest in the Hotel Metropol. Full of humor and heart, this story kept me sighing and smiling as the former aristocrat and self-proclaimed luckiest man in Moscow rebuilds his life following the Revolution.

rec from hillary

Bells ring, confetti pops & the audience applaud! This may be the best book that I've read.
Now, through such books as The Book of Longings & Circe, I'm coming to the realization that Historical Fiction is fast becoming my jam. I consider myself, for the majority - uneducated & untraveled. So, it makes sense right, that these books give me something more than a pleasant conversation with a stranger at a bus stop? But this guy....this, Towles Amor guy.....He powers up a film projector in my mind. Amor creates such vivid imagery to immerse oneself in. The (real) world he opens the door to is an escapism, a switch that waits to be flicked, let the film roll.
All this is inter weaved into a truly beautifully historic tale of adventure, friendship & bravery. Self reflection is what is waiting for you as the pages close. To take inventory of ones own choices, with the possibility of literature being a real enhancement.
This will be purchased and be available with the other arts that are in arms reach that help shape my thoughts and clear the mind.
Congratulations Mr Amor, I can only begin to imagine what it took to write this milestone....a trip to Manhattan is on my list. 5/5 - A Classic!

A fine story that makes one appreciate every detail of life, especially during covid shut down.

Way too boring...

This book is a delight! It's very funny in a quiet and droll way, and also heartwarming.

Lovely story, well-written.

Exquisite and witty writing.
There are some incorrect facts but..it is FICTION. One of my favorite books.

A delicious , thought-provoking book. I loved it.

Excellent read

I loved how the cadence of the writing supported the personality of the main character. One of my all time favorites!

Charming, loved the bits about Russian writers.

Picked it up because it was on Bill Gates' summer read book list. There was a lot of description but it was all interesting. The book inspired reflection about the various stages of life. It would be a fun book to discuss with people!

Absolutely loved this book. Read for bookgroup.

Fanciful and silly. If you prefer "young adult" novels, you might like this. Otherwise, a waste of time.

I'm trying to figure out which parts people thought were boring. I was pretty much riveted cover to cover.

Fantastic historical novel

Pretty well written but boring, boring, boring. I am half Russian so was interested in the historical aspect, but nothing really happens and I gave up about 100 pages from the end. Too many good books out there to waste my time plowing through this.

This monster of a book is so good! It took me a really long time to read it but it’s absolutely fabulous and charming. Count Alexander is on house arrest in a hotel in Russia during the revolution and forms amazing friendships with the staff and its guests including a inquisitive 9 year old girl. The hotel sounds fabulous, the food and wine served is to die for, and the friendships are enough to make anyone jealous. This is for sure a book where you fall in love with the protagonist and all of his friends. If you’re not super into it for the first couple of page don’t give up, this book is worth the long read!

I was looking for rules of civility and the bookstore and came across this one instead by the same author it is an amazing book it's just so good!

At times this book was extra ordinary but other passages boring....I had a hard time rating this book

How do I get this on to my ipad

Hello, can you please advise when I can expect to get this book? Thank you.
Maureen Dow

This is the best book I have read in a long time. It is a great book to read during this COVID19 Pandemic. I could not put it down. Everyone I have recommended it to also loved it. I highly recommend this fascinating story.