Lovely book but incredibly tedious. The pace is frustrating with burst of explicit and delicious descriptions. Still a good read.

What an amazing character! Finely observed. A unique, very individual experience of a period of Russian history.

This delightfully told story of a “Former Person” in transitory USSR in the early 20th century painted a lovely picture of Muscovian life, albeit from House Arrest in the grand Metropol Hotel. As a sort of coming of age story we are taken through the series of attitude shifts that necessitate making peace with one’s fortunes.

Delightful

I stumbled upon this book trying to find something to escape with on vacation. It was simply one of the best written reads I have ever experienced. I’ll have to come back and enjoy this again.

Fascinating characters, a wonderful story, and an attitude of persistent hope.

It took me a while to get into the story. But it is worth sticking it out for a bit. The character development and the collection of “family” is well done. I took A LOT of Russian history in college, so I was extremely interested in how the Count’s life, and the world around him, changed in those 40 momentous years.

Beautiful writing through a whimsical yet engaging plot, surrounded by lovable characters

Amor Towles’ “A Gentleman in Moscow” resembles a well crafted impressionist snapshot of a changing culture and people. I can’t speak for how accurate the representations maybe but dense scope and descriptive style certainly put us in what feels like many decades of Russia past. In those various times and places we are taken through an exploration of class differences and how spaces along with language define them. That journey through time and place is Towles’ master stroke of writing. Because he goes beyond historical fiction and delves deeper into a philosophical treatise on the changing zeitgeist over time from the perspective of one man. A gentleman at that, whose constancy pushes back against the tide and is moved by the crashing waves of change at every turn. The clever and well placed time jumps show us as much about what changes with age as they do by omitting years of events. The anchor that is our protagonist, Alexander, reminds us that all things change in a dynamic environment, your effort to remain what you are is what limits you. So watching how he does and does not adapt to his changing environment is a joy in itself. However, this book is no short read and is slow in some passages making it can be an effort to get through. The payoff in the second half of the book is worth it. No spoilers from me, but watch for the ruse.

A truly beautiful story.