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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
kerisreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
erindacruz's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content and War
seforana'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
bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
pershie13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I've had this book on my TBR for years, and let me tell you it completely exceeded the already lofty expectations that I had for it! A Gentleman in Moscow follows the journey of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, who is living under house arrest in Bolshevik Russia shortly following the Russian Revolution. Set in Moscow's Metropol Hotel, we follow the Count's relationships with guests and employees at the hotel, as well as how he reacts to the circumstances of living out his life in one place. The evolutions of these relationships and circumstances throughout the years are fascinating and will leave you constantly guessing at what will happen next. The book is beautifully written, both in its prose and its content, and I found myself connecting with numerous characters from all walks of life. I can certainly add A Gentleman in Moscow to the shortlist of one of the best books I have ever read, and I look forward to reading Amor Towles' other works. This book is simply a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
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
keeganrb's review against another edition
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Death
phoehems's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
There are many things about this book that I love. I love the writing style: it's so immersive I could probably draw a map of the Metropol. I love the characters, especially the relationships between them: the Triumvirate, the Count and Nina, the Count and Sofia, the Count and Mishka (I think that's his name. It's his bestie) and the Count and the Bishop have some of the most intense moments. Even the Count and the man on the roof! I love the story: A man, house arrest in a hotel, rebuilds his life. Makes lifelong friends in Andrey, Emile and the others. Has a special relationship with a then-nine year old, who then gives him the chance to be a father. Raises a beautifully rounded daughter who goes on to fulfil her dreams. And in the end, the house arrest is broken and the book ends with the Count going back to his childhood town, going to the pub and seeing the 'willowy woman' in the corner, who in no doubt is his daughter. It's just beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content