Scan barcode
A review by crufts
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It's 1922. As the Communist Revolution sweeps through Moscow, Count Alexander Rostov, once a man of leisure, is sentenced to remain in home arrest at the Metropol Hotel for life.
But is this the end for the Count? Of course not! Determined to master his circumstances, he engages himself in the business of the Metropol and its people, and a charming narrative follows.
The story is definitely character-focused without a strong overarching plot. As a result, the conclusion wraps up quickly and there's no large-scale conflict. However, I still found it to be a delightful read.
But is this the end for the Count? Of course not! Determined to master his circumstances, he engages himself in the business of the Metropol and its people, and a charming narrative follows.
The story is definitely character-focused without a strong overarching plot. As a result, the conclusion wraps up quickly and there's no large-scale conflict. However, I still found it to be a delightful read.
Graphic: Confinement
The novel is set against the backdrop of the Communist Party gradually gaining power in Russia, but (given the Count's limited viewpoint within the hotel) the focus is almost entirely on individual people rather than the larger political movements.