Reviews

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

zalford's review against another edition

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• 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

4.5

ahalsnad's review against another edition

4.0

For centuries champagne has been used to launch marriages and ships. Most assume this is because the drink is so intrinsically celebratory; but, in fact, it is used at the onset of these dangerous enterprises because it so capably boosts one’s resolve.

It is a simple yet capturing story with a bittersweet ending. The character of the Count, his witticism, and especially his adaptability to circumstances were impressive. The philosophical musings and discussions were interesting, and at times, funny. Almost all of his companions at Hotel Metropol were friendly and lovable, and his punishment was comparatively light; he sure was the luckiest person in Russia.

Having acknowledged that a man must master his circumstances or otherwise be mastered by them

The story provided a glimpse of early 20th Century Russia, its troubles, the passion of the people to adapt themselves or improve the nation depending on their standing. That said, I think the portrayal of the main storyline is from the rose-tinted glasses for the reader's benefit.

If one has been absent for decades from a place that one once held dear, the wise would generally counsel that one should never return there again.

Even though I would have wished for a romanticized ending, the open-ended afterword with its connotations provides a more realistic feel and makes justice to the character of the Count.

bensmucker93's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious slow-paced

4.5

rad_kat's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Fun, lighthearted, some historical learning of the Russian revolution and beyond, and really insightful prose

basil_plant's review against another edition

hopeful reflective relaxing 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? No

4.5

rmisciagno's review against another edition

hopeful 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? No

5.0

jacwol's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

seagulls_corner's review against another edition

adventurous funny slow-paced

• 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

2.5

haphazardreads's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

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

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