@Nancy the synopsis and plot don’t do it justice right? It’s the little things- like when he overheard the young couple trying to order dinner and is impressed when the boy orders the stew….
Loved it. One of my favorite books ever. Starts slowly (planned that way because of the story taking place over many years).Time is a major element to the plot ….His family clock is the clue. Then towards the end it really speeds up (action takes place over weeks and then days instead of months and years). It has a great flow to it. Wonderful characters. Very well written and plotted and some “Ah-ha” moments when you get tot he end. Amor Towles is a genius.
I listened to the audiobook. Took me several attempts to get into, had a hard time staying focused initially, but then it turned out to be a wonderful book!
@Arleen none of us could relate to the main character, he was boring, the writing was flowery and dull, way too descriptive, it got slightly interesting when the parts with the little girl started. I also didnt like ‘rules of civility’, i guess i just don’t like his writing style.
It was so slow paced and what I was reading didn’t intrigue me; it’s hard to put a finger on it exactly, but I think in general I prefer for a book to grab me within the first 50 pages and this one didn’t. 🙂
@Arleen currently listening via audible and did get lost once or twice but the writing is so beautiful so far and I am intrigued by the whole setting!! So continuing to listen.
Listened to the audio, then read it for Book Club. Slow start but going back a second time gained more appreciation for the book. Waiting for Kenneth Branagh in the television adaptation.
I liked it. Most of my book club did not. They thought it was too slow. It is really a book about the characters and how they evolve over time. It does not have a lot of “action”.
I just finished his first book “Rules of Civility” last night and think I liked it even better.
I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow this week–I could not put it down. The writing, the story, the setting, the characters–they all swept me away instantaneously.
Couldn’t get into it when I first started it but when I picked it up again and realized he was a younger man not an older man as I originally though it made a huge difference.
I loved this so much I did not want to finish it and deliberately put it down before the last part. Unique hero that I have never met before – urbane, kind, educated, sensitive. I love the way the author talks to the reader. Can’t wait to read his earlier book and am glad I invested in the book book not just the kindle. One of the best if not the best books I’ve read all year.
I also think if you’re the type of reader who needs an exciting plot to start right away like the Divinci code or something you may be put off because this is subtle. There is plot and there are things that happen but they don’t happen for quite some time you have to enjoy this man’s mind and his way of seeing the world and the insight and I absolutely 100% dead. So you’re getting some very divided opinions in this thread so it may help to know what other things the person has liked. I hated Hunt for red October could not bear the notebook barely made it through Divinci code all three of which I only read for the PBS great read. On the other hand, I loved americana, I adore this so much that I will re-read it I am sure many times in my life…. Everyone loves the Nightingale and I was so disappointed by it because I did not think the writing was good. I read this right after the Nightingale and I was so delighted because the writing is amazing and beautiful and there is wet and it is subtle.
@Gwen I’ve got to have good writing and an interesting character. Otherwise I just read for book club, don’t really care about the book. Don’t need exciting plot, thoughtful is nbettet
@Arleen then you will love this I think!! Rostov as I said is someone completely new to me, wise, kind, discreet- and yes he’s young when it begins. I happen to know a lot about Russian history but it’s ok if you don’t, it’s given to you. The minor characters are a treat too- a waiter who gets called the Bishop- a government official (later on) who loves movies. And as someone has pointed out the last part of the book moves fast! And though there are some developments that are surprising they’re all deeply planned along the way. I’ll be rereading!
@Gwen It covers a long time period and starts slowly as the first part of the book takes place over a longer period of time (years). As the plot picks up and the time gets compressed (months to weeks to days), the book moves faster. And you are right about surprises that then make you say “AH, now I understand about that part”. He leaves clues along the way in a very subtle way.
I will try but not promise to stick with it…..Russian Revolution is ok in movies, not sure I wish to read about it. I know, I am being silly, but you should see my stack of books to read.
@Bonnie Bonnie, not revolution. Imprisonment that still occurs. Don’t think Russian Revolution. Think the horror of lifetime imprisonment and could you survive.
Bonnie, it’s not specifically about the Russian Revolution. The book begins just after that but takes place over many decades from that point forward. I only know a bit about Russian history but felt that this book definitely helped me learn more and see it through a different lens.
However, the important part is really the characters, their relationships and the evolution over time.
@Karen and happy w they keep Rostov from another suicide and his accepting the horrible changes from his former life as an aristocrat. I agree that the characters are imperative, but the focus that has our fun hung up is that it is the Russian Revolution. A different major focus might help her find greatness in the novel and be able to focus more on the development of these stunning characters.
@Bonnie also the book has a magnificent light touch- it’s not about horror- but making the best of things. The count retains his elegance and curiosity in the Metropol hotel. Kind of like an urbane and wise Eloise.
Judy Beckman No one should let revolution and/or imprisonment scare you from reading this book. This isn’t the Gulag or the basement of Lubyanka, Rostov is imprisoned in the best hotel in Moscow. The book has warmth and humor.
I really liked it. The book is about life and what you make of it. The relationships you make and how you deal with circumstances. It’s just in the backdrop of the Russian revolution.
Just want to add: If you ever get the opportunity to hear Amor Towles speak, he is wonderfully entertaining. He held a book signing for this that was supposed to be at the local library, but was switched to the High School Auditorium instead and he packed the house. Still took time to sign anyone’s book personally (as in “To Linda”, not just his name) and even had a custom stamp of St Basil’s Cathedral that he stamped in each book. Also, for those of you who also read Rules of Civility, did you notice that one character in that is also in The Gentleman from Moscow?
Loved it then I got in audio at the library! What an experience to hear the Count’s words come alive via a terrific reader. The reader had all the inflections tones of the Count that made the words & the “plan” so colorful. It highlighted all of his wisdom & stuggles. What a testimony to endurance, courage in the face of hopeless & resolve! You can google some his best quotes of wisdom- book of the year for me- hard to beat!
The best book I read last year.
Thank you
Loved it!
Beautifully written!
On my “very soon” list
Really enjoyed it
Loved it!
What a great read!
It’s the book for January in my book club. Good to know.
Good book!
Absolutely loved that book!!!
We read it in our book club and it generated a lot of good discussion. Very good!
Loved it.
Loved it.
A true classic!
Loved the book. Great protagonist.
Amazing!!
Loved it.
Loved It! I was hesitant to read it because the synopsis didn’t appeal to me, but it wound up being one of my favorite books of 2017.
@Nancy the synopsis and plot don’t do it justice right? It’s the little things- like when he overheard the young couple trying to order dinner and is impressed when the boy orders the stew….
Marvelous book! Loved it!
So, so good. One of my favorite books ever.
Loved it!
Heard it was good but some have said 100 pages too long…
Yes, I’m wondering
Loved it. One of my favorite books ever. Starts slowly (planned that way because of the story taking place over many years).Time is a major element to the plot ….His family clock is the clue. Then towards the end it really speeds up (action takes place over weeks and then days instead of months and years). It has a great flow to it. Wonderful characters. Very well written and plotted and some “Ah-ha” moments when you get tot he end. Amor Towles is a genius.
I really liked the book. One of the better ones I read in last few years.
I listened to the audiobook. Took me several attempts to get into, had a hard time staying focused initially, but then it turned out to be a wonderful book!
read it for book club, nobody liked it
Please tell me why
@Arleen none of us could relate to the main character, he was boring, the writing was flowery and dull, way too descriptive, it got slightly interesting when the parts with the little girl started. I also didnt like ‘rules of civility’, i guess i just don’t like his writing style.
I tried; couldn’t stick with it.
Why?
It was so slow paced and what I was reading didn’t intrigue me; it’s hard to put a finger on it exactly, but I think in general I prefer for a book to grab me within the first 50 pages and this one didn’t. 🙂
Made it through the first 50 pages and gave it up. I very very seldom do that.
Why?
In TBR stack.
I loved it. It took a while for it to get interesting. It’s worth it.
I listened on audio. It was a great book. Almost lost me a time or two but it was worth hanging in for it.
I’ve also got it on audio and because of the length of the book I’m hoping I don’t get lost!
@Arleen currently listening via audible and did get lost once or twice but the writing is so beautiful so far and I am intrigued by the whole setting!! So continuing to listen.
Received it as a Birthday Gift. It is in my stack.
One of my very favorite books!
Read it for book club. Most LOVED it. For me, just ok. I may try it again bc things were hectic then I had didn’t have long stretches of time for it.
??
Yes good book may read it again
My absolute favorite!! I’ve read it twice and listened to it on audio once and it’s time for a re-read~
Read it for Book Club it’s the one book everyone loved.
Terrific book. Totally engaging
Boring!
Plot?
Agreed, very boring and slow-paced.
I love his writing—so I appreciated it for that reason. I also loved Rules of Civility.
I loved it, but it took me a little while to get into it.
It was slow… I did end up liking it, but it took a very long time to read it.
Overly wordy at times but loved the story!
Our bookclub loved it.
Beautifully written, a favorite.
Very good book.
On my list.
Listened to the audio, then read it for Book Club. Slow start but going back a second time gained more appreciation for the book. Waiting for Kenneth Branagh in the television adaptation.
Wonderful book…one of my favorites!
OMG. I loved it. I loved the ending. It’s long and could have been shortened, but I learned a lot about the Russian revolution.
I liked it. Most of my book club did not. They thought it was too slow. It is really a book about the characters and how they evolve over time. It does not have a lot of “action”.
I just finished his first book “Rules of Civility” last night and think I liked it even better.
Started out slow but wonderful Characters. I am glad I stuck with it because I ended up Loving it.
I loved Rules of Civility, but couldn’t get into this one.
Wonderful! Can’t wait for the next thing he writes
I was bored
Absolutely loved it. So urbane. And Russian history deftly drawn in the background.
Uggggghhhhh
Ut-oh
One of my favorite books. Couldn’t put it down.
I did not love it.
Ugh. Tried and failed.
In my top ten!
Loved it!
Yes, loved it. Made me want to take a trip there
I liked the history but thought the book was kind of boring. We read it in book club and most of the ladies liked it.
I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow this week–I could not put it down. The writing, the story, the setting, the characters–they all swept me away instantaneously.
Loved it!
On my list.
I really enjoyed it. Taken within the context of the after-effects of the Russian Revolution, it’s pretty fascinating.
I really loved it?
I read it a while ago. It took me a bit to get into it, but it was a very enjoyable read with good character development.
Beautifully written. Some sentences were so perfect I had to linger over them.
Thanks
Couldn’t get into it when I first started it but when I picked it up again and realized he was a younger man not an older man as I originally though it made a huge difference.
Thanx for the heads up!
I loved this so much I did not want to finish it and deliberately put it down before the last part. Unique hero that I have never met before – urbane, kind, educated, sensitive. I love the way the author talks to the reader. Can’t wait to read his earlier book and am glad I invested in the book book not just the kindle. One of the best if not the best books I’ve read all year.
I also think if you’re the type of reader who needs an exciting plot to start right away like the Divinci code or something you may be put off because this is subtle. There is plot and there are things that happen but they don’t happen for quite some time you have to enjoy this man’s mind and his way of seeing the world and the insight and I absolutely 100% dead. So you’re getting some very divided opinions in this thread so it may help to know what other things the person has liked. I hated Hunt for red October could not bear the notebook barely made it through Divinci code all three of which I only read for the PBS great read. On the other hand, I loved americana, I adore this so much that I will re-read it I am sure many times in my life…. Everyone loves the Nightingale and I was so disappointed by it because I did not think the writing was good. I read this right after the Nightingale and I was so delighted because the writing is amazing and beautiful and there is wet and it is subtle.
@Gwen I’ve got to have good writing and an interesting character. Otherwise I just read for book club, don’t really care about the book. Don’t need exciting plot, thoughtful is nbettet
@Arleen then you will love this I think!! Rostov as I said is someone completely new to me, wise, kind, discreet- and yes he’s young when it begins. I happen to know a lot about Russian history but it’s ok if you don’t, it’s given to you. The minor characters are a treat too- a waiter who gets called the Bishop- a government official (later on) who loves movies. And as someone has pointed out the last part of the book moves fast! And though there are some developments that are surprising they’re all deeply planned along the way. I’ll be rereading!
Yes, great supporting characters in this book.
@Gwen great and thanx
@Gwen It covers a long time period and starts slowly as the first part of the book takes place over a longer period of time (years). As the plot picks up and the time gets compressed (months to weeks to days), the book moves faster. And you are right about surprises that then make you say “AH, now I understand about that part”. He leaves clues along the way in a very subtle way.
I loved it.
Loved it.
This is next month’s selection in our book club. Can’t wait. Thanks to all of you.
Read it twice and reviewed it. Pretty much like CASABLANCA. Good read. Need to keep going. It is memorable. Mexican wall.
I will try but not promise to stick with it…..Russian Revolution is ok in movies, not sure I wish to read about it. I know, I am being silly, but you should see my stack of books to read.
@Bonnie Bonnie, not revolution. Imprisonment that still occurs. Don’t think Russian Revolution. Think the horror of lifetime imprisonment and could you survive.
Bonnie, it’s not specifically about the Russian Revolution. The book begins just after that but takes place over many decades from that point forward. I only know a bit about Russian history but felt that this book definitely helped me learn more and see it through a different lens.
However, the important part is really the characters, their relationships and the evolution over time.
@Karen and happy w they keep Rostov from another suicide and his accepting the horrible changes from his former life as an aristocrat. I agree that the characters are imperative, but the focus that has our fun hung up is that it is the Russian Revolution. A different major focus might help her find greatness in the novel and be able to focus more on the development of these stunning characters.
@Judy I will try! Got it as a gift, so really should try!
@Bonnie also the book has a magnificent light touch- it’s not about horror- but making the best of things. The count retains his elegance and curiosity in the Metropol hotel. Kind of like an urbane and wise Eloise.
Judy Beckman No one should let revolution and/or imprisonment scare you from reading this book. This isn’t the Gulag or the basement of Lubyanka, Rostov is imprisoned in the best hotel in Moscow. The book has warmth and humor.
@Bonnie yes indeed! It’s full of elegance sometimes faded and wry observations.
@Gwen .. ty for adding this.
thanks for all the added information!
I really liked it. The book is about life and what you make of it. The relationships you make and how you deal with circumstances. It’s just in the backdrop of the Russian revolution.
I enjoyed!
Loved it
Just want to add: If you ever get the opportunity to hear Amor Towles speak, he is wonderfully entertaining. He held a book signing for this that was supposed to be at the local library, but was switched to the High School Auditorium instead and he packed the house. Still took time to sign anyone’s book personally (as in “To Linda”, not just his name) and even had a custom stamp of St Basil’s Cathedral that he stamped in each book. Also, for those of you who also read Rules of Civility, did you notice that one character in that is also in The Gentleman from Moscow?
@Linda what books of his would you recommend besides Gentleman
@Cynthia Rules of Civility is his only other novel.
Read and ??Rules of Civility now MUST read this one
Loved this book! Read it for our book club and it held me! Great ending!
Rules of Civility is on our Book Club list for 2019. Yea!
Our book club all loved it also.
Thank you one and all!
I absolutely loved it
I absolutely loved it
Good read ! Very serious content
It’s a great book!
Just bought it for 0.99p on Amazon
Loved it then I got in audio at the library! What an experience to hear the Count’s words come alive via a terrific reader. The reader had all the inflections tones of the Count that made the words & the “plan” so colorful. It highlighted all of his wisdom & stuggles.
What a testimony to endurance, courage in the face of hopeless & resolve! You can google some his best quotes of wisdom- book of the year for me- hard to beat!
Picking it up at the library on Wednesday