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murraybymoonlight's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bruinuclafan's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and savored it like a fine Burgundy. Count Rostov, a Russian aristocrat, is arrested during the Bolshevik revolution and, during a hilarious and quick trial, is sentenced to lifetime confinement in a glamorous hotel at the heart of Moscow. The book details His Excellency's life inside the hotel, the relationships he forges, the enemies he combats, and the love he fosters with the hotel's various inhabitants, employees, and guests.
Putting this book down proved to be a challenge. The writing was crisp and engaging, turning ordinary encounters into vivid and even nail-biting moments. This was true for me even though the plot itself mostly turns on the micro interactions the Count has in the hotel. But where the book really shines is in its ability to create a mood--the atmosphere of the '20s and '30s and all the nostalgia you would probably feel (if you were alive back then). It really did feel like a time machine.
Putting this book down proved to be a challenge. The writing was crisp and engaging, turning ordinary encounters into vivid and even nail-biting moments. This was true for me even though the plot itself mostly turns on the micro interactions the Count has in the hotel. But where the book really shines is in its ability to create a mood--the atmosphere of the '20s and '30s and all the nostalgia you would probably feel (if you were alive back then). It really did feel like a time machine.
hkitizzle's review against another edition
Very slow and glazed over more than read the book. Could not get into it.
jemin's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
cute ig and the ending was good and the count is funny just quite slow and not much happens for most of it
sarahherrmann's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those very interesting books that focus on a select group of people, or one person in particular and the world changes and or goes on without him being involved.
I like the Count, he is the perfect gentleman. Reading of his life in the hotel and how his life affects those around him and vice versa was charming but at times sad. He constantly has this invisible wall separating him from everyone else. Because he can never venture out of the walls of the hotel he can never watch Russia change (for better or for worse) without him.
I think the chapters that are a big punch are those with his friend Mikhail.
This is one of those books that is lovely to read and certainly memorable but to me I found no re-reading charm. Once you figure out the story an experience it it looses it's luster and you realize it's too contained.
It's difficult to explain but that's why I rate it down a star.
Still, I encourage you to read it and how such a perfect man can exist.
I like the Count, he is the perfect gentleman. Reading of his life in the hotel and how his life affects those around him and vice versa was charming but at times sad. He constantly has this invisible wall separating him from everyone else. Because he can never venture out of the walls of the hotel he can never watch Russia change (for better or for worse) without him.
I think the chapters that are a big punch are those with his friend Mikhail.
This is one of those books that is lovely to read and certainly memorable but to me I found no re-reading charm. Once you figure out the story an experience it it looses it's luster and you realize it's too contained.
It's difficult to explain but that's why I rate it down a star.
Still, I encourage you to read it and how such a perfect man can exist.
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
sminismoni's review against another edition
4.0
It grew on me. For at least 40% of the book, not much happens, except restaurant dining it seemed. Wonderfully written in an intelligent and wry style, it nevertheless seemed a touch twee in how it approached the very dark period of Stalin's Russia. But as the book progressed, the relationships between the characters deepen, and hence there is more meaning and motivation behind their behaviour. The pace picks up when the Count has Sophia to look after, and by the end it was a very satisfying story with a reasonable degree of depth.
kimireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
laura482's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0