A review by mitskacir
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

4.0

This was a very sweet, humorous, extremely engaging book. The book starts with a trial that sentences the main character (the Count) to lifetime confinement in the Metropol Hotel, his current residence. I thought this book would be about his grumblings on the unfairness of his situation, maybe him rallying against the government. However, the Count, despite his moments of doubt and darkness, is resigned to make the best of his situation. He fills his days building relationships with the denizens of the hotel, exploring the hotel's inner workings, and eating. This book was a lovely read, very touching, and extremely well written, with a strong sense of historical place and the weight of Communist rule in Russia without ever feeling depressing. Not my usual read, but a very welcome break from the bleaker work I tend toward.