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3huskies79's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
tetcha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am still sorting out all of my feelings about this story but I recognized early on that despite it being a completely character driven novel (which is never my first choice to read) there is something so incredibly special and unforgettable about it.
"If a man doesn't master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them." I loved the wry humor and was consistently surprised throughout, so much that I was compelled to keep reading to the very end just to witness how someone could sustain a long and seemingly very happy life while under house arrest never stepping outside again. The audiobook narration was utterly charming and the central characters feel like close friends I wish I had to call my own... I now feel like I need to reassess my own circumstances to confirm whether or not I have mastered them or am being mastered by them.
"If a man doesn't master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them." I loved the wry humor and was consistently surprised throughout, so much that I was compelled to keep reading to the very end just to witness how someone could sustain a long and seemingly very happy life while under house arrest never stepping outside again. The audiobook narration was utterly charming and the central characters feel like close friends I wish I had to call my own... I now feel like I need to reassess my own circumstances to confirm whether or not I have mastered them or am being mastered by them.
nate868686's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
threegoodrats's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is my book of the year. Full review is here.
thenovelbook's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot even gush... This is not a suspense novel, a love story, a satire, or an epic. This thing is a work of art.
I am decidedly not a fan of modern fiction. I too often find it bleak and profane. If you had told me a while ago that the exception would be a book about a man under house arrest in Stalinist Russia, I would have laughed in your face. But there it is. Exquisite. I've never marveled at a novel so much.
Read it.
You want my full recommendation? Read it with a glass of red wine in one hand and the strains of Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain in the background. And let the sentences slip across your palate and delight your mind.
I am decidedly not a fan of modern fiction. I too often find it bleak and profane. If you had told me a while ago that the exception would be a book about a man under house arrest in Stalinist Russia, I would have laughed in your face. But there it is. Exquisite. I've never marveled at a novel so much.
Read it.
You want my full recommendation? Read it with a glass of red wine in one hand and the strains of Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain in the background. And let the sentences slip across your palate and delight your mind.
adrianablook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
sparnes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
What an engaging book! It held my interest from start to finish. Also, learned a lot about Russian history.
eilzxo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so fun to read, there is so much wisdom within the book and Towles’ style of writing is so calming yet exciting both at the same time. The final chapters led to an interesting change in plot, I was a little gutted to see it end!
tracamiller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
5.0