It’s
a pleasure to tell you about my latest read, A Gentleman in Moscow by
Amor Towles. This novel was a surprise to me. I had never heard of the author
and probably would never have chosen it on my own. How I came to read it is a
story for my next blog, but suffice it to say I did.
A Gentleman in Moscow was a slow burn for
me. The writing was lovely. It was pleasant. I was not riveted. In another
circumstance I may have put it down in favor of something else. I’ve come to
the decision, there are so many books I WANT to read, that I won’t waste time
on something I don’t love. In this case, that would have been a big mistake. It
took about 100 pages, but I was hooked.
An
aristocrat in 1922 Russia, the young, handsome, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov
is sentenced to House Arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow. If he should ever
step outside the hotel, he will be put to death. It is the beginning of the
Russian Revolution and not only is he an aristocrat, but he has written a poem
that is considered suspect by the ruling party.
Ever
elegant and refined, Rostov creates as rich a world as is possible within his
confinement. He comes to discover not only the secrets of the hotel but of the
lives and worlds of people that move in and out as occupants and staff. There
is secrecy, mystery, hair-raising schemes, humor and drama. How the Count moves
from a man of leisure to the discovery of his purpose is intriguing.
The
best description is it is like reading in front of a fire on a cold day,
covered by a cashmere blanket. The problem, you don’t want it to end. Don’t
miss this one.
Highly
recommend.
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