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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This is the first book in a long while that I've listened to instead of reading. While the first part of this book was quite a bore, I think the second part greatly made up for this.
The book is beautifully written, and while it's not a page-turner, it was great to have on in the background while working. The story of the count and his isolation in the Metropol, as well as his introduction to new characters and chapters of his life, was fascinating to see. It almost felt like a good time period character development show like Mad Men.
If I'm being honest, if I had read this book instead of listening to it as an audiobook, I would have stopped reading before getting to the second half.
The book is beautifully written, and while it's not a page-turner, it was great to have on in the background while working. The story of the count and his isolation in the Metropol, as well as his introduction to new characters and chapters of his life, was fascinating to see. It almost felt like a good time period character development show like Mad Men.
If I'm being honest, if I had read this book instead of listening to it as an audiobook, I would have stopped reading before getting to the second half.
This was a delightful story with some wonderful little gems.
I finally finished this book! I liked the writing style, the characters, the setting, but the plot was so slow that I would put it down, read something else and then pick it up again for awhile. I am glad I finished the book and it is a good book overall, though I am not sure I really get the big idea of this book.
What a warm, good-hearted book celebrating generosity of spirit. Despite its setting that could have been so bleak, this was one of the loveliest, gentlest stories I’ve read in a long time. It also managed to make me laugh, feel thrill, and ponder- it has some of everything. A salve for the soul.
Turn after unexpected turn in the life of the Count kept me glued to this book, wondering if I could survive a similar situation. Almost all those involved in the day to day operations of the Metropol appear to be somewhat oblivious to the political turmoil outside their doors. They’ve made the best of a horrible situation, something our own society may need to do as well.
Ignore every 5 star rating I gave before this book. Those were all exciting and fun books, but this is an exceedingly great work of literature.
For 3/5th of the books I was compelled by the sheer eloquent description of almost nothing. I was enticed, solely by the details and descriptions that walked me through the lobbies, dining rooms, and residences on the Metropol Hotel. And when the compelling action of the final two acts begins with book 4? I couldn’t set this novel down.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is okay with simply experiencing a new world and isn’t in a rush to arrive at their destination. For the first 3 books of this novel I couldn’t have possibly guessed the contents of the next chapters, and I loved it for that. At any chapter break I felt comfortable to set the book down and return later. But breaks or not I was completely absorbed into the world of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov and the changing world
Of Russia after 1920.
Every character feels real, and every emotion is felt, across the whole spectrum of the human condition.
For 3/5th of the books I was compelled by the sheer eloquent description of almost nothing. I was enticed, solely by the details and descriptions that walked me through the lobbies, dining rooms, and residences on the Metropol Hotel. And when the compelling action of the final two acts begins with book 4? I couldn’t set this novel down.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is okay with simply experiencing a new world and isn’t in a rush to arrive at their destination. For the first 3 books of this novel I couldn’t have possibly guessed the contents of the next chapters, and I loved it for that. At any chapter break I felt comfortable to set the book down and return later. But breaks or not I was completely absorbed into the world of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov and the changing world
Of Russia after 1920.
Every character feels real, and every emotion is felt, across the whole spectrum of the human condition.