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A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016)


Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars


While not a distinctly Christmas themed book, I have been reading this novel in December and it does have several heartwarming scenes surrounding the holiday. I will start you with a quote: “Such is the magic of Christmas in childhood; that a single gift can provide one with endless hours of adventure while not even requiring one to leave one’s house”. This passage reflects not only on the joys of Christmas, but also on the situation of the main character.


The Analysis:


In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia led to an overthrow of the Tsar and the nobility of the country. A Gentleman in Moscow follows Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, a Russian aristocrat who is placed on house arrest at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow. He is given a small room and only allowed to bring a handful of furnishings and possessions. His sentence to live the remainder of his days within a single building seems daunting, until the Count remembers what his godfather, Grand Duke Demidov, said to him upon the death of his parents: “Adversity presents itself in many forms and that if a man does not master his circumstances, then he is bound to be mastered by them.”


Choosing to master his circumstances, the Count develops a routine, makes friendships, and attempts to give his life purpose. As he adjusts, the days, weeks, months, and years advance in doubles (amazing structure outlined by the author). Much of the first half of the novel is descriptions of the hotel and of meetings and encounters with various guests.The book is unusual because while there aren’t many moments of intense action and not much happens scene to scene, it is never boring. The small details make the story and the author’s poetic descriptions of life and of Russia fill the reader with a romantic sense of wisdom. Other than the occasional inevitable moment of doubt, the Count stays hopeful despite his circumstances and his intense pride and love for his country never fade, despite decades of change and upheaval occurring both inside and outside the hotel.


This book can be described in one word: charming. A Gentleman in Moscow is a story about hope, love, loyalty, and making the best of your situation. Count Rostov is nostalgic, but not in a whiny way. He is respectful of the past and values its lessons, using knowledge from his previous life to navigate his new one. The author is the master of bittersweet moments and has an incredible ability to evoke intense feelings of emotion. Pro tip: Watch Casablanca before reading this book to understand some excellent references to the film. The movie and this book will both make you feel cultured and wise, yet still soft on the inside. I would recommend A Gentleman in Moscow to all my friends.


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