One of the best books I’ve ever read. Engrossing, entertaining, thought provoking, and absolutely delightful. Well done.

This book took me a while to finish, but every time I return to it, I was captivated and could not set it down. This is story that will change the way you approach most things in life. With so much going on, and so much to remember it is hard not to fall in love with each character as they come into the life of The Count. You will have such a great time reading this book, I could not recommend it more.

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