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enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
"They had created the poetry of silence. 'Yes, silence can be an opinion,' said Mishka. 'Silence can be a form of protest. It can be a means of survival. But it can also be a school of poetry—one with its own meter, tropes, and conventions. One that needn’t be written with pencils or pens; but that can be written in the soul with a revolver to the chest.'”
🏨
While the recent TV adaptation of this novel served as the catalyst to moving this up my TBR, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Amor’s writing is unique because the Count’s voice (our MC & narrator)is never lost. When he sees something that triggers a memory from his youth, he tells us about it. When he watches people from the confines of the hotel, he gives us history lessons (in almost a footnote-style aside). And he comments on societal culture, especially how a gentleman would act in certain situations. The Count is a quirky character: talking to animals, finding the pitch of noises all around him, befriending an equally quirky little girl & watching her grow up. But this story is about how to maintain a sense of self, even when forced into confinement, and how to find or create your own village. No matter your circumstance, you can always find loved ones, stay true to who you are, and this beautiful story proves that.
While the recent TV adaptation of this novel served as the catalyst to moving this up my TBR, I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Amor’s writing is unique because the Count’s voice (our MC & narrator)is never lost. When he sees something that triggers a memory from his youth, he tells us about it. When he watches people from the confines of the hotel, he gives us history lessons (in almost a footnote-style aside). And he comments on societal culture, especially how a gentleman would act in certain situations. The Count is a quirky character: talking to animals, finding the pitch of noises all around him, befriending an equally quirky little girl & watching her grow up. But this story is about how to maintain a sense of self, even when forced into confinement, and how to find or create your own village. No matter your circumstance, you can always find loved ones, stay true to who you are, and this beautiful story proves that.
“’Looking back, it seems to me that there are people who play an essential role at every turn... men and women who routinely appear at critical junctures in the progress of art, or commerce, or the evolution of ideas—as if Life itself has summoned them once again to help fulfill its purpose. Well, since the day I was born, [redacted character name], there was only one time when Life needed me to be in a particular place at a particular time, and that was when your mother brought you to the lobby of the Metropol. And I would not accept the Tsarship of all the Russias in exchange for being in this hotel at that hour.’”
🪆
Truthfully, this book feels impossible to accurately describe succinctly because it's a literary work of art. If you like reading artistic writing that’s got comedy, history, and details the power of social relationships, then this book is for you. I especially appreciated learning about Russian history, a subject I’m not as familiar with. Although it took me a minute to adjust to Amor’s unique style of writing as the Count’s voice, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cast of characters are quirky, yet lovable, and this found family storyline following the Count’s life is full of heart.
Truthfully, this book feels impossible to accurately describe succinctly because it's a literary work of art. If you like reading artistic writing that’s got comedy, history, and details the power of social relationships, then this book is for you. I especially appreciated learning about Russian history, a subject I’m not as familiar with. Although it took me a minute to adjust to Amor’s unique style of writing as the Count’s voice, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cast of characters are quirky, yet lovable, and this found family storyline following the Count’s life is full of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Classism and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Xenophobia, Cursing, and Suicide attempt
sarahbowling6608's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-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
This book was really nothing like I expected, but I quite enjoyed it! The characters are excellent. I knew it was historical fiction, but it was so well written I had to google if it really happened or if Count Rostov were a real person. (It didn't and he isn't.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
eemadeeberry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Confinement, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
augie_'s review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Suicide
tamara_joy's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Deportation, Grief, Medical content, War, Alcohol, Classism, and Suicidal thoughts
bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
I didn't think I'd like listening to this! However the pov character, narrator, and audiobook reader made this tiny world so lovely. He's so charming and charmed by the world. I think normally I would find this kind of book a bit boring. But because Alexander finds such delight in "little things" and the world and people around him, it's fun and exciting and interesting to experience with him.
His relationship with his daughter truly made me cry. I cried over how much they love each other. I cried when his best friend died and he cried because he said that the last of those who knew him when he was young was dead .
His relationship with his daughter truly made me cry. I cried over how much they love each other. I cried when his
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Classism
spookily's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, War, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Medical content, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
pershie13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I've had this book on my TBR for years, and let me tell you it completely exceeded the already lofty expectations that I had for it! A Gentleman in Moscow follows the journey of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, who is living under house arrest in Bolshevik Russia shortly following the Russian Revolution. Set in Moscow's Metropol Hotel, we follow the Count's relationships with guests and employees at the hotel, as well as how he reacts to the circumstances of living out his life in one place. The evolutions of these relationships and circumstances throughout the years are fascinating and will leave you constantly guessing at what will happen next. The book is beautifully written, both in its prose and its content, and I found myself connecting with numerous characters from all walks of life. I can certainly add A Gentleman in Moscow to the shortlist of one of the best books I have ever read, and I look forward to reading Amor Towles' other works. This book is simply a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
...where do i even start? i had an inkling this would be good, yet it ventured in unexpected directions and still exceeded my quite lofty expectatons. idk how to describe this book w/ suitable adjectives, all i know is my heart feels full from reading it. a gentleman in moscow was filled w/ tender moments and vignettes, wise rumination of the theme of time, scenes that were as uncommon as they were singularly charming and heartwarming, and it managed to be evocative w/o ever being melodramatic or resorting to emotional manipulation.
this book showed what stories are abt, what life is abt. i particularly enjoyed the writing--it was as subtly poetic and witty as its main character--and the touching depiction of friendship and found family. my only gripes would be the fact that the middle felt like a blur given its lack of any major or dramatic plot points, and i wish there were scenes during the war yrs; not for any trauma porn, but it wouldve gone quite a long way in showing how different (or not) life in the metropol was in that period, for as much as the count was physically limited under house arrest, he was nevertheless cocooned w/in the comforts of one of moscow's best hotels. regardless, this was a great--if even rare--read that i cant wait to reread while seeking for some comfort in the yrs to come.
this book showed what stories are abt, what life is abt. i particularly enjoyed the writing--it was as subtly poetic and witty as its main character--and the touching depiction of friendship and found family. my only gripes would be the fact that the middle felt like a blur given its lack of any major or dramatic plot points, and i wish there were scenes during the war yrs; not for any trauma porn, but it wouldve gone quite a long way in showing how different (or not) life in the metropol was in that period, for as much as the count was physically limited under house arrest, he was nevertheless cocooned w/in the comforts of one of moscow's best hotels. regardless, this was a great--if even rare--read that i cant wait to reread while seeking for some comfort in the yrs to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Police brutality, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Kidnapping