2023 Book Review #7:A Gentleman in Moscow

 

My youngest daughter, as some of you know, studied Russian from 6th grade until she graduated from high school and then went on to major, then minor in it, at UNH.  She bought this novel and loved it so lent it to me so I could read it.  I had heard good things about this book from other sources besides Claire, so was excited to begin reading. Claire also owns 2 of the author's other novels. 

STORY SUMMARY

In 1922, 30 something Count Alexander Rostov is labeled an unrepentant aristocrat by a local Bolshevik tribunal and he is sentenced to "house arrest" in Metropol, a very grand hotel near the Kremlin, in Moscow. 

Rostov is a classically learned and witty gentleman. But now he must live in an attic room all while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold around him. In his circumstances, he begins to befriend the hotel workers. He is habitual and always a gentleman even to those he would normally perceive as the enemy.  He is highly respected among the hotel staff. 

One day a very young girl is brought into his life and her fate is in his hands. He must draw on all of his ingenuity to protect the future that she deserves.   He is a man of purpose and his whole life has been just that.....there's always a purpose to what he does and he is always a gentleman. 

MY THOUGHTS

This book is so beautifully written. I love that it's divided into five parts. My oldest daughter, when she read it, discovered a discrepancy in the jacket cover.  It describes Rostov as being 30 years old in 1922 when the book opens, yet he was born, as we find out later in the beginning, on October 24, 1889 which makes him 33 in 1922.  Not a big deal but leave it to my math daughter to find this mistake. She also left a post it in the cover stating how old he was as each new decade unfolded.  I found myself referring to this throughout the story because it can get confusing to remember which year Rostov is in. The author does indicate which year it is at the beginning of the chapters but I found I also wanted to know how old Rostov was. 

I love all of the character development and the way that the Count's character developed over time along  with Sofia's, the young girl he was entrusted to take care of. The fact that first she calls him "Uncle" but by the time she is a young adult, she is calling him "papa"....it's just very moving. 

There's an old-world charm about this story.  I love that he speaks French even though he's Russian. I love that he knows his wines!  I love that he is wily and wise and always kind. And that in the end....he wins. 

I love that there are so many moments of triumph in this book.  I love that the Count always had a purpose and that he encourages all he meets to know what their purpose is as well.  

I really can't put into words how this book made me feel....it's deep, moving, funny, serious and important. What really made it for me though are all the references to Casablanca towards the end.  Since that is one of our most dearly loved classic films of all time, it was very interesting...not to mention profound...to read how the author used the film and it's important parts for the story of the Count. 

Some quotes jumped out at me: 

"Do you think Russians are particularly brutish, Osip?" asked the Count......" do you think we are essentially more brutish than the French, or the English, or these Americans?"......"I mean, do you think we are more apt than others to destroy that which we have created?" " (pg 295 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, c.2016)

"For what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim." (pg 388) 

This novel is just beautiful. 

The ending is brilliant. As I expected it would be. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.