Reviews

A Gentleman in Moscow is easily described as delightful, this is a novel that dwells on what is good and beautiful. It is a soothing and affirming read. I would say, however, it lacks gravitas and any political value whatsoever. I have seen so many people reviewing this book as an ode to those beauties of the past lost in the Russian Revolution. The book seems only mildly aware, and many reviewers seem entirely unaware, that the luxuries of the Russian aristocracy came at a grave cost to the Russian people and the destruction of the aristocracy was a necessity. This book should not be read as a lament for lost luxuries but as an appreciation of the labourers who worked to produce such luxuries. We should all be inspired by comrade Rostov’s achievement of class consciousness seen in his rejection of aristocracy in favour of a worker’s uniform, the white jacket of a waiter.

madelinekc's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful slow-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

3.0

georgiably's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

I wanted to like this book more than I did but it was just so slow and it took me so long to get through it. The writing was good and the main character was interesting to read about because of his quirks, but I was so unsure about where the plot was going at every point.

acdocx86's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

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