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therealkateclysm's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely charming story. It didn't quite end the way I had hoped but still very satisfying.
seangibsonesq's review against another edition
2.0
Slow build-up; ultimately quite unsatisfying.
Not sure why this story was deemed worth telling - as in, what has actually happened from start to end, what have we learned, what have we experienced? Feels quite light on subject matter and attempts to get by on the slick prose alone. The book has some very charismatic turns of phrase and is superficially enjoyable, but not enough to cover the lack of progress. The pedestrian pace leaves little excuse for the broad-stroke, caricatured historical references made throughout, too.
The epiphanies with which we are presented are not very profound, nor very convincing. The issue of class is really not addressed sufficiently for a book about, and named for, an old-world 'gentleman' living in post-revolutionary Russia. It is implicit throughout that the loss of a gentrified class in this new era is lamentable, but this notion is never confronted. The protagonist's new line of work is merely a way of staving off boredom and making himself useful, and the opportunity for examining his own anachronistic sense of identity is largely ignored.
The protagonist also figures here as the endpoint of a multitude of readers' aspirations - he is courageous, courteous, well-read, witty, worldly - and the implication is that it is only the gentry who can fulfil these roles in society. Without the gentry, the book asserts, society is left only with people approximated by 'the Bishop' character, and the prole in the barbers' shop in the early stages. Regardless of where you sit on the history itself, this remains a lazy, distressing and insidious aspect of the book.
Also, an aside: Why is nigh on every single woman in the story beautiful, and why are they so frequently reduced to this quality? The number of men, by comparison, whose handsomeness is remarkable is much lower. Bit tiresome.
Not sure why this story was deemed worth telling - as in, what has actually happened from start to end, what have we learned, what have we experienced? Feels quite light on subject matter and attempts to get by on the slick prose alone. The book has some very charismatic turns of phrase and is superficially enjoyable, but not enough to cover the lack of progress. The pedestrian pace leaves little excuse for the broad-stroke, caricatured historical references made throughout, too.
The epiphanies with which we are presented are not very profound, nor very convincing. The issue of class is really not addressed sufficiently for a book about, and named for, an old-world 'gentleman' living in post-revolutionary Russia. It is implicit throughout that the loss of a gentrified class in this new era is lamentable, but this notion is never confronted. The protagonist's new line of work is merely a way of staving off boredom and making himself useful, and the opportunity for examining his own anachronistic sense of identity is largely ignored.
The protagonist also figures here as the endpoint of a multitude of readers' aspirations - he is courageous, courteous, well-read, witty, worldly - and the implication is that it is only the gentry who can fulfil these roles in society. Without the gentry, the book asserts, society is left only with people approximated by 'the Bishop' character, and the prole in the barbers' shop in the early stages. Regardless of where you sit on the history itself, this remains a lazy, distressing and insidious aspect of the book.
Also, an aside: Why is nigh on every single woman in the story beautiful, and why are they so frequently reduced to this quality? The number of men, by comparison, whose handsomeness is remarkable is much lower. Bit tiresome.
booksandthebronxgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I have to read his first one.
This was such a wonderfully written story. His prose is so elegant and lyrical, it was a pleasure to savor every word. It was more of a fanciful story on the surface with very serious overtones underneath. The Count and all the other characters were wonderful. There was quite a bit of Russian history thrown into this as well and it made me want to learn more about Stalin and the Five Year Plan, etc.
The Count was a bit of an anachronism, and in his personality one could see the Bolsheviks' rationale in doing away with the aristocracy. He was pretty out of step with most of Russian society, but a good egg nevertheless.
I would definitely recommend this.
This was such a wonderfully written story. His prose is so elegant and lyrical, it was a pleasure to savor every word. It was more of a fanciful story on the surface with very serious overtones underneath. The Count and all the other characters were wonderful. There was quite a bit of Russian history thrown into this as well and it made me want to learn more about Stalin and the Five Year Plan, etc.
The Count was a bit of an anachronism, and in his personality one could see the Bolsheviks' rationale in doing away with the aristocracy. He was pretty out of step with most of Russian society, but a good egg nevertheless.
I would definitely recommend this.
annakat27's review against another edition
5.0
A little slow at the beginning but it really picks up and becomes a page-turner. Beautiful prose, interesting descriptions of the Russian aristocracy as well as the revolution, thorough character development and captivating descriptions that help you connect to the landscape.
elledellsl's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic story full of beautiful language and elegant twists, and turns. Although the audiobook was very well done, I will no doubt reread it so as to capture the many memorable quotes.
kathymurphy's review against another edition
4.0
This book hooked me right from the first chapter. It was a very long story but when I would start to fade, something new would pull me in.
thegregk's review against another edition
5.0
Quite possibly the most charming and well-written book I've read in some time. I never lost interest in the adventures and voice of the Count. Absolutely recommended summer reading.
lacey_a_loves_books's review against another edition
5.0
I just really enjoyed every moment of this book.
lisanreads's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful book! I hesitated to read this novel because it would not be the same as his first, the wonderful Rules of Civility. The central character is sentenced to live in a hotel for the crime of being an aristocrat in the new Russia. His limited quarters become a vibrant life.