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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
turidt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Gun violence
janallan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Audiobook is 100% the way to do it — it’s beautiful!
But the book itself is also beautiful. From the twice-tolling clock and the study through the jackets, to the watching of Casablanca and the village with forests of apples; it’s lyrical.
And it helps that my husband has a degree in Russian, so I have at least a passing acquaintance with Russian literature for all of the many references in the book.
All in all, I feel smarter for having read the book.
But the book itself is also beautiful. From the twice-tolling clock and the study through the jackets, to the watching of Casablanca and the village with forests of apples; it’s lyrical.
And it helps that my husband has a degree in Russian, so I have at least a passing acquaintance with Russian literature for all of the many references in the book.
All in all, I feel smarter for having read the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Sexual content
shaleen64's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book beautifully explores how even though we may not know it at the time, we are always on the right path for us.
The characters are fully realised and lovable for different reasons. A Gentleman in Moscow is a very fitting description of the main character.
The book has some beautiful prose and many quotable lines. The storyline of Nina’s daughter and the counts ‘fellow poet’ were simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Whilst I’d recommend the book, the only reason I wouldn’t rate it higher is because I often found myself lost whilst reading due to the sheer amount of characters/details that didn’t seem integral to the story. For me, this meant it was a much slower read than normal, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
The characters are fully realised and lovable for different reasons. A Gentleman in Moscow is a very fitting description of the main character.
The book has some beautiful prose and many quotable lines. The storyline of Nina’s daughter and the counts ‘fellow poet’ were simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Whilst I’d recommend the book, the only reason I wouldn’t rate it higher is because I often found myself lost whilst reading due to the sheer amount of characters/details that didn’t seem integral to the story. For me, this meant it was a much slower read than normal, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
villenview's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent
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
relf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a delight, from beginning to end! Count Alexander Rostov, suddenly a "non person" under Soviet rule, is sentenced to house arrest at the Hotel Metropol in Moscow. A story about a man's decades of political confinement may not sound charming or delightful, but it absolutely is. Rostov's philosophical good cheer seems unshakeable, and he finds a devoted circle of friends--family, really--among the staff and guests of the hotel, as well as a life of meaning. The book is charming, funny, suspenseful, and offers a view of the changes in the U.S.S.R. over more than 30 years, from what seems to be a very small window. As a fancier of great hotels, I loved the setting and the Eloise-like character of Rostov's young friend, Nina. A wonderful book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
seforaflorian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
eemadeeberry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Injury/Injury detail