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elainerabahi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
akkarian33's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely, charming, but also an emotional rollercoaster
lostinfrance's review against another edition
4.0
This book grabbed my attention at work because it took place in Moscow and I would like to know more about Russia (and one day head to Saint Petersburg). Once I got the book home, I was not very motivated to read it--- based on the number of pages (sigh, I am a wimp) and the fact that the book took place in one place....a hotel. Then the reading challenge had me looking fo a book that took place in a hotel and I realized it was time to dust this off (ultimate goal--- clean off my bookshelf).
The book started with a quick look into the main character (Count Alexander (Sasha) Rostov)'s personality. He is not a boring, stuffy aristocrat, but a mischievous man who takes his house arrest in the hotel with stride and makes the best of his situation. He interacts with diplomats, actresses, other residents, and the staff--- and makes himself a family within the walls of this luxurious grande hotel. The last 100 pages take on an air of mystery and lead to a great ending. I really enjoyed the book and how the *climax* surprise happened right at the end.
Read if you like Russian history, interesting characters, or seeing how one person can find enjoyment in one place.
2017 Reading Challenge: a book that takes place in a hotel
The book started with a quick look into the main character (Count Alexander (Sasha) Rostov)'s personality. He is not a boring, stuffy aristocrat, but a mischievous man who takes his house arrest in the hotel with stride and makes the best of his situation. He interacts with diplomats, actresses, other residents, and the staff--- and makes himself a family within the walls of this luxurious grande hotel. The last 100 pages take on an air of mystery and lead to a great ending. I really enjoyed the book and how the *climax* surprise happened right at the end.
Read if you like Russian history, interesting characters, or seeing how one person can find enjoyment in one place.
2017 Reading Challenge: a book that takes place in a hotel
ginaparrish's review against another edition
4.0
A Gentleman in Moscow is a long haul to get through, but very well written and engaging. It’s far more character driven than plot driven, and it presents ideas more than happenings, but overall it is a good read. It makes you think and feel—about history, freedom, and time passing. It’s a good read for those who don’t want to read anything too heavy, but want to read something of substance.
bpsus's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
remjunior's review against another edition
5.0
I found this story to be very moving and insightful at almost every turn. The day-to-day life of a former well-known and his house arrest to a hotel for the rest of his life during some of the greatest upheavals in Russian history...and yet, somehow the story never loses sight of the main characters and their existance in this world. This book was very easy to imagine in my head as some sort of Downton Abbey-esque production and I hope that comes to be at some point in the future. The story moves from year to year, often leaping a few at a time, following Count Rostov and his daily encounters with many characters in the hotel. He meets a young girl who becomes a lifelong friend, a famous movie actress who becomes a lover, a former Colonel of the Red Army who wants to study with the Count to learn the world, and on, and on, and on.
It is a remarkable book that was hard to put down and is written magnificently. The language is clear and the dialogue is often funny and clever.
Definitely at the top of my favorite books I've read this year.
It is a remarkable book that was hard to put down and is written magnificently. The language is clear and the dialogue is often funny and clever.
Definitely at the top of my favorite books I've read this year.
raechels's review against another edition
5.0
It took me 125 pages to get into it, but once I did the story was so unique, touching, hopeful. Loved every bit after that first 125.
sngsweelian's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful book that offers a glimpse into Russia in the Stalin era from the events that happened in a hotel. Highly recommended!
mlcf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
fowadijaz's review against another edition
4.0
A Count Rostov is put under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow, and it's a very uplifting story.
Very optimistic book. Deals with dark subject matter but in a light-hearted manner. The second read-through really takes the fangs out of the story because you know nothing bad will actually happen.
Very optimistic book. Deals with dark subject matter but in a light-hearted manner. The second read-through really takes the fangs out of the story because you know nothing bad will actually happen.