Scan barcode
katharina90's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
It wasn't bad, I just didn't care. The pace was slow and nothing much happened, especially given the page count and the number of decades the story covers. The book is beautifully written but perhaps a little pretentious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
elzmri's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
After studying the historical period at A Level some years ago, it was fun to revisit the subject in this wonderfully written book. Nuggets of history which has clearly been thoroughly researched, subtle humour and great depth to characters alongside such a beautiful writing style had made this book one of my all time favourites. While I wish there were more to the ending, I am glad that Towles didn’t go with the cliché, as I don’t think I would have coped with a hurt Sasha or Sofia :(
A brilliant read, and I would love to read more about these characters in the future (please, Mr Towles).
A brilliant read, and I would love to read more about these characters in the future (please, Mr Towles).
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, War, Classism, and Deportation
enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
"They had created the poetry of silence. 'Yes, silence can be an opinion,' said Mishka. 'Silence can be a form of protest. It can be a means of survival. But it can also be a school of poetry—one with its own meter, tropes, and conventions. One that needn’t be written with pencils or pens; but that can be written in the soul with a revolver to the chest.'”
🏨
While the recent TV adaptation of this novel served as the catalyst to moving this up my TBR, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Amor’s writing is unique because the Count’s voice (our MC & narrator)is never lost. When he sees something that triggers a memory from his youth, he tells us about it. When he watches people from the confines of the hotel, he gives us history lessons (in almost a footnote-style aside). And he comments on societal culture, especially how a gentleman would act in certain situations. The Count is a quirky character: talking to animals, finding the pitch of noises all around him, befriending an equally quirky little girl & watching her grow up. But this story is about how to maintain a sense of self, even when forced into confinement, and how to find or create your own village. No matter your circumstance, you can always find loved ones, stay true to who you are, and this beautiful story proves that.
While the recent TV adaptation of this novel served as the catalyst to moving this up my TBR, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Amor’s writing is unique because the Count’s voice (our MC & narrator)is never lost. When he sees something that triggers a memory from his youth, he tells us about it. When he watches people from the confines of the hotel, he gives us history lessons (in almost a footnote-style aside). And he comments on societal culture, especially how a gentleman would act in certain situations. The Count is a quirky character: talking to animals, finding the pitch of noises all around him, befriending an equally quirky little girl & watching her grow up. But this story is about how to maintain a sense of self, even when forced into confinement, and how to find or create your own village. No matter your circumstance, you can always find loved ones, stay true to who you are, and this beautiful story proves that.
“’Looking back, it seems to me that there are people who play an essential role at every turn... men and women who routinely appear at critical junctures in the progress of art, or commerce, or the evolution of ideas—as if Life itself has summoned them once again to help fulfill its purpose. Well, since the day I was born, [redacted character name], there was only one time when Life needed me to be in a particular place at a particular time, and that was when your mother brought you to the lobby of the Metropol. And I would not accept the Tsarship of all the Russias in exchange for being in this hotel at that hour.’”
🪆
Truthfully, this book feels impossible to accurately describe succinctly because it's a literary work of art. If you like reading artistic writing that’s got comedy, history, and details the power of social relationships, then this book is for you. I especially appreciated learning about Russian history, a subject I’m not as familiar with. Although it took me a minute to adjust to Amor’s unique style of writing as the Count’s voice, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cast of characters are quirky, yet lovable, and this found family storyline following the Count’s life is full of heart.
Truthfully, this book feels impossible to accurately describe succinctly because it's a literary work of art. If you like reading artistic writing that’s got comedy, history, and details the power of social relationships, then this book is for you. I especially appreciated learning about Russian history, a subject I’m not as familiar with. Although it took me a minute to adjust to Amor’s unique style of writing as the Count’s voice, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cast of characters are quirky, yet lovable, and this found family storyline following the Count’s life is full of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Alcohol and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
tamara_joy's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Classism, and Deportation
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, War, and Classism
alexashabit's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Classism
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't think I'd like listening to this! However the pov character, narrator, and audiobook reader made this tiny world so lovely. He's so charming and charmed by the world. I think normally I would find this kind of book a bit boring. But because Alexander finds such delight in "little things" and the world and people around him, it's fun and exciting and interesting to experience with him.
His relationship with his daughter truly made me cry. I cried over how much they love each other. I cried when his best friend died and he cried because he said that the last of those who knew him when he was young was dead .
His relationship with his daughter truly made me cry. I cried over how much they love each other. I cried when his
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
spookily's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
naomi_k's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Police brutality, Abandonment, War, and Classism