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evafc's review against another edition
3.0
Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov is a Russian nobleman. In 1922 he is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in Hotel Metropol in the middle of Moskou. Alexander spends his time within the walls of the hotel, while outside the Bolsjewists come to power. The count learns to stay upright in his golden cage, lacking the freedom and almost loosing his lust for life. Until he makes a new friend, who comes to the hotel with her nanny.
A gentleman in Moskow reads like a fairytale. Count Alexander is a kind and upright man. He obviously has never suffered any real poverty or hunger. And even inside his luxurious prison he eats like a king. The point of view is very rare: seeing history through the eyes of man who can never leave the building he lives in. His life is filled with small problems, he eats well. That was not a common thing in moskow during that period. But then again, noone says it is. The count shows glimpses of history, and most of the book is about a man learning to accept his new circumstances.
I wonder why it takes me so long to finish this book. It's 461 pages. But it sometimes seems to take forever. Why is that? Maybe because at times the story is very slow, a bit too slow. There's not much of a plot, which only changes in the end. And, there are almost no dark shadows or dark edges which make a story more interesting.
I did like it. And i love the count. But that's me being a romantic. 3,5 stars.
A gentleman in Moskow reads like a fairytale. Count Alexander is a kind and upright man. He obviously has never suffered any real poverty or hunger. And even inside his luxurious prison he eats like a king. The point of view is very rare: seeing history through the eyes of man who can never leave the building he lives in. His life is filled with small problems, he eats well. That was not a common thing in moskow during that period. But then again, noone says it is. The count shows glimpses of history, and most of the book is about a man learning to accept his new circumstances.
I wonder why it takes me so long to finish this book. It's 461 pages. But it sometimes seems to take forever. Why is that? Maybe because at times the story is very slow, a bit too slow. There's not much of a plot, which only changes in the end. And, there are almost no dark shadows or dark edges which make a story more interesting.
I did like it. And i love the count. But that's me being a romantic. 3,5 stars.
campbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
marychristea's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
annrhub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.25
thrushnightingale's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
chemito84's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
tabby_cat0803's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.75
sydneyellison's review against another edition
5.0
Heartwarming, compelling, and beautiful. I would highly recommend this story if you need some encouragement or a wholesome read in your life right now.
dearwinnie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5