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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Wonderful story, spanning decades after the Bolsheviks took control of Russia and placed count Rostov under house arrest in the attic of the hotel metropol. Stories of his youth are shared and all the friendships he cultivates are detailed with lyrical turns of phrases.
A long read. Obviously the length and wordiness is meant to match how painful the Count’s timeim house arrest was, but I had a hard time staying engaged and put it down twice. It helped to know history of the Russian Revolution
I know I am late to this party, but . . . the reader was excellent, and the story charming, interesting, and absorbing. As I told my husband at the start, "I have no idea where this is going, but I am delighted to go along for the ride!"
Hugely recommended for anyone who missed it the first time. :)
Hugely recommended for anyone who missed it the first time. :)
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
No
Fascinating insights into post revolutionary Russia; aging; dealing with change; love; friendship; and patenting
lighthearted
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:
No
Too slow paced for my liking
I loved this novel, but can understand why it isn’t for everyone. It is sprawling historical fiction, dense with details and nuance. It is not “plot heavy.” It is a rich character study that spans decades within one hotel. The character in question, an exiled Former Person in Soviet Russia, symbolizes the Old World, but he is also a distinct (and lovable) individual. At first, I almost gave up on the book because “nothing was happening,” but there was just enough warmth and humor in the prose to keep me reading. I’m glad I did, because the real story begins to unfold over 200 pages in. The prose never stops sparkling. By the last page, I was profoundly moved. I will never forget this book. It’s one of my favorites I’ve read all year.
Too slow. Too uninteresting. No real plot.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but the plot was too slow.