A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel Paperback – March 26, 2019

I have never read Towles before this book. It is seldom that I am ever sorry when a book comes to a conclusion, but this was a pleasure to read and I am so sorry that it came to an end today. I tried to drag out reading the last pages because I didn't want it to end,. Towles characters were very well developed. His storyline was really well thought out and developed.. His writing is excellent. He didn't have to add obscene language or explicit sexual material to keep the reader's attention. He actually had a story that was worth reading, some fiction and some historical material, and it held my interest from beginning to end. It is difficult for me to find books that actually have content worth reading. It was a pleasure to read this book. I wish I could find another one like it.

I began reading this book cautiously. As one page turned to the next, and the next, and the next, caution morphed into entertainment, entertainment into fun, fun into pleasure. All this, while anticipating what surprise might occur on the next page --- page by page --- until the story ended and I discovered myself in bed enjoying the delight I was feeling. Now, I wonder how many days will pass before I read it again --- probably not many.“A Gentleman in Moscow” is story about Count Rostov, a fictional character, who faces imposed changes, during and after the Russian Revolution. Don't be deceived, it’s not a self-help manual.The Count’s resume sets the stage well: “Count Alexander Rostov, recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club, Master of the Hunt, and godson of a counselor to the Tsar....” What an unexpected introduction of a Russian protagonist who experiences The Revolution plus several following decades.I found myself asking: "Is there a difference between, an aristocrat, a gentleman, a man; between surviving and living? Does he survive? If so, how and for how long? If so, is it because he’s an aristocrat, because he’s a gentleman, or because of the way he adapts to change?"I found myself asking an additional question: "Is 'A Gentleman in Moscow’s' value to me discovering that the more I respected and loved the Count, the more I seem to better understand aspects of myself...or at least some of his behaviors that I wished were more of me." If these questions don't attract you, it’s still a good story ... no, a great story ... no, even more so a wonderful story.Amor Towles delivers an upbeat love story about how the protagonist works to adjust his life and self-image, after his world is turned upside down and continues to be so for over thirty years. You may even find Towles may have borrowed snippets --- intended or not --- of Homer’s "Odyssey," Hugo’s "Les Misérables" or Dvorak’s opera "Ritalka" in the protagonist’s actions and story line.Count Rostov confronts a wide variety of disruptions to his life. The narrator describes solutions and transformations Rostov creates and changes, that he makes and doesn't make --- while retaining his essence --- while executing actions.Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov’s 32-year journey with he and his collaborators captivated me, through the whole book..When I read this story again, I'll spend additional time focusing on the charming collection of unexpected sub-stories flowing within the main story. I expect to spend additional time enjoying attempts to decide whether the tales are mythical, a fairy tale, a fantasy, an epic journey, or something else similar, yet different, like the movies: “Sunset Boulevard: A Hollywood Story” (1950); “A Princess Bride (1987), “Groundhog Day” (1993), or even a little of “Casablanca” (1942)*.Characters, in this story, are designed to be important but not necessarily totally believable ... after all, the character’s lack of complete reality is part of the story’s motif and magic. Complete accuracy might destroy the story’s enjoyment. After all, the story’s a fictional novel ... a delightful one. It’s not a non-fiction, historical, academic tome. It’s especially not a doctoral dissertation about Russian history, during the first half of the twentieth century. Russia’s changing culture during this time-period functions primarily as background for Towles’ story --- a background that’s part of the story’s metaphor, symbolism, and descriptive scenery.Count Rostov tells his story about his government's-imposed isolation upon him, and his adjustments to the resulting changes. Light-hearted, metaphorical mysticism hovers around each key-characters’ behavior in delightful ways --- like a mist. It seemed that each turned page delivers a surprise or a pleasant smile.I plan to re-read this story when I return home after working hard, desiring to read something for enjoyment, desiring something that will let me leave behind the day’s intensities, desiring something that will rest me, that will help find comfort with where and who I am --- as I adjust to the life-imposed changes on me ... perhaps even a little more like our fictional Count's responses.“A Gentleman in Moscow” is a story well written; I enjoyed it as such.P.S. "One of the best books I've ever read" is what 100% of the twelve attending members of my "men's book club agreed, in our meeting earlier this week. Attendees also agreed that this event is the only time in over ten years of meetings that members have unanimously agreed that they enjoyed a book, Usually, at least one or more members express opposing viewpoints about whether the book was worth reading.*"The Karate Kid" (1984), "Forest Gump" (1994), "It's a Wonderful Life" (1947), or even "Pretty Woman. (1990).

This was a very interesting book with a lot of history of Russia and Moscow. The characters are very well written, each with such different personalities. I especially liked Count Alexander Rostov who was a true gentleman who had to spend his life in a hotel. He goes through so much and some of it is funny, sad, adventureful and twisted. It was a good read, a little wordy, full of interesting facts. The ending takes you by surprise.

In a time of so much anxiety, hatred and fear of "the other," this book is an oasis where this reader would gladly have stayed much longer. At its core, this wonderful story reveals how a man, stripped of family and fortune, handles changed circumstances with dignity, grace, humor and the best wit a reader can hope for.Beginning in 1922, the first few pages tell us a great deal about Count Alexander Rostov. He is before a tribunal for -- well, for not taking the revolution seriously enough. The judge is clear that death by firing squad would be his first choice but friends in high places have urged leniency. Count Rostov, therefore, is to return to his place of residence, The Hotel Metropol, under house arrest - forever.Returning to the Metropol under guard, Rostov discovers that he no longer occupies a lavish suite overlooking Theatre Square. Generations of family art and heirlooms occupy his "residence," but he is allowed to pick a few belongings only and is to occupy a storage room in the attic. Not one to bemoan his circumstances, Rostov adjusts. He reads War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and tries to read Montaigne. He dines, he orders things of necessity: fine linens, good soaps. The Metropol itself is not faring well as foreign tourists are nowhere to be found. The floral shop is shuttered. The restaurants provide respite from the attic and Rostov counts the hours until he can descend from the attic for lunch or dinner.Confined, a trip to the lobby barber is an occasion. Light is shone on the new reality when Rostov enters for his weekly trim. The barber finishes up a previous patron and with a whip of his cape announces that he is ready for "Your Excellency" and has him seated in the chair when a man waiting takes offense. "I was first," he declares. Rostovy, agrees, explaining that he has a standing appointment every week as though the logic of that should be evident. Outraged, the man grabs a scissors and snaps off half of Rostov's handlebar mustache. One of the underlying themes of this book is that is does not take long for those who rise to the top as "the common man," are quick to slip into the role previously occupied by those they have replaced.The reader is introduced to the daily goings on at the Hotel Metropol and to the lively group of waiters, cooks, maids, bartenders. Rostov is scandalized when a less than competent waiter is employed because he has friends in high places. He cannot help but overhear with unfeigned horror when the waiter chooses a terrible wine for a stew and he intervenes. Rostov thinks this waiter looks just like a bishop plucked from a chessboard, no further information needed.Just as boredom and cabin fever are bearing down, Rostov befriends a young girl who is resident in the hotel with a nanny. Nina's father is often away on business and the Nanny is less informed than her 9 year old charge. Nina and Rostov dine together, play games together and explore recesses of the hotel, entry enabled by Nina's purloined key to everything. Nina calls Rostov, "Your Countship."Even though he is technically under arrest and confined to the attic, the employees of the hotel still refer to Rostov with forbidden titles, "Your Excellency," or "My Dear Count." The hotel manager reluctantly explains to Rostov that in the People's Russia, everyone is equal and future trouble might be avoided if everyone would stop with the titles already. Everyone else feels badly, but Rostov shrugs it off. Times change. As years go by, our hero finds a girlfriend and a job as head waiter in the dining room of the hotel, a task for which he is more than suited as he knows every wine and every dish and which fork to use and on and on and be counted on to insure perfection - even for guests who would never know the difference. Friends come to visit him and disappear, only to reappear, knowing that Rostov isn't going anywhere. As the world changes and intrigue swirls, Rostov and those at the Metropol stay in place.Nina grows up, becomes a Party member and goes off to a collective full of ideals. More years pass and, in 1938, Nina returns, no longer optimistic and idealistic. Her husband has been sent to "the camps" and she entrusts Rostov with the care of her daughter, Sofia, just until she can rescue the husband. Rostov, completely overwhelmed and inexperienced, takes his responsibility seriously. If you don't fall for Sofia within the first two minutes - well, you will fall for her. Rostov does his best and his best is the best. Sofia is winsome, wonderful, articulate, talented and life is encapsulated in the snow globe of the Hotel Metropol. It is a small, vibrant and colorful world where kindness and grace overcome pettiness, jealousy, ideology and any manner of ugliness while the world outside is dim, cold and no fun at all.As Russia emerges from World War II, the cold war commences and Rostov, confined as he is, sees the colorful Russian landscape turning to black and white and gray and plots to escape. Will he make it? Will Sofia? Please settle in, let the sniping and the anger and the recriminations fade away, and find yourself swept up in Rostov's world. He will whisk you away from the daily onslaught of insults, blame, and anger. Read it. It's great. A Classic.