A review by super_tsundoku_guy
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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

5.0

It’s not every day that I can pick up a book which has absolutely captivated me from the offset, but I can truly say that this tale written by Amor Towles has indeed done that! It is a book that I have taken time with, have adored spending time with to get to know each of the characters, and have myself briefly become resident at the famed ‘Metropol Hotel’ in Moscow through the expertly written passages.

A book which is lavish with history, has left me feeling more educated in a subject I had known very little about before. It has made me open my browser and research into the period and passing of time myself and also to want to learn more about certain events mentioned in the pages.

As mentioned earlier, Amor Towles crafts each of his characters perfectly and by the end of the book you will indeed find that you have formed strong opinions about each and every one of them. 

The book is funny, sad, educational and heartwarming in equal measure and in my opinion is a page turner (just a page turner at the pace of a refined gentleman!)

I don’t want to put too much plot up here because I feel this book is better to be experienced without knowing too much about it!

Oh and as a side note, if you’re tempted to watch the show at the same time as reading the book, DON’T! The Ewan McGregor series it’s a separate entity and the timelines are very much altered which means something may happen in the second episode which doesn’t occur until 200 plus pages into the book and therefore will ultimately spoil the experience for you. Not that I’m saying to avoid the series all together… but be warned!

Ultimately I will be giving ‘A Gentleman In Moscow’ full marks.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️