Review by oceanwriter - A Gentleman in Moscow

oceanwriter 's review for:

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

3.0

hopeful lighthearted 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: No

This book was recommended to me several years ago by my grandmother. I remember her speaking about it with enthusiasm, and as far as I can recall, this was one of the last books I remember her talking about. I’ve put it off because I liked having that book recommendation frozen in time, but I did want to read it. To my disappointment, I spoiled the book with overzealous anticipation.

Count Alexander Rostov represents Russia’s past. A ‘revolutionary’ poem and the Count’s mere existence being a threat to the Bolshevik ideology, Alexander is sentenced to house arrest at a hotel in Moscow. He spends decades there as change and war wage outside his window.

I hate to say it, but I think this is a book I’ll prefer on screen. I enjoyed the premise and wanted to be invested. I tried. I started off with the audiobook, then the ebook, and then back to the audiobook again. I was bored. I’ve read The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, so I had anticipated a slow pace. Even still, I couldn’t connect with this story, though I desperately wanted to.

I look forward to watching the series at some point. I had a similar reading experience with Remains of the Day. For whatever reason, my mind wants the visual for this one.

Content Warnings