You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
scottyhollywood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
madilynngrace06's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt
keeganrb's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Death
phoehems's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
literaryjunarin's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
In the year 1922, Count Rostov was sentenced to house arrest at the grand Hotel Metropol in Moscow, Russia. If he did but one step outside the hotel, he will be shot dead. In a span of more than 30 years, this book laid out his life as he ventures through emotional discovery, forges a friendship with the hotel crews, and muses about life and purpose.
I did not expect to like this book at all. I prefer books that are action-packed with thick plots but this book hardly has a plot! But while reading, and I read this very slowly as well, I found myself enjoying Count Rostov's musings. His wit, his view about life, intellect, class. He is very charming. I would love to have dinner with him and have him explain different kinds of wine.
Towle's sentences are so, so full of life. Every scene is beautifully created. The experience is very immersive. I have nothing but praise. This book talks about family, friendship, parenthood, politics, and love. I cried a bit toward the end. Now, Count Rostov feels like an old friend of mine.
Minor: Suicide attempt
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
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.
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
ashlynhare's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
gloomi_sundai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Murder