This sublime novel keeps resurfacing for me, since publication -- from re-reading in lockdown to offering it to my followers as a satisfying recommended read, as a book of solace. And now I can't wait for the Kenneth Branagh movie adaptations!

I found this book to be quite repetitive. It was too long for the simple story it told. I did not enjoy it.

A compelling and quirky work of historical fiction, well worth the wait between Towles' debut and its release.

A charming account of a charming, personable, societally aware, and true gentleman placed because of his good graces into a state of limbo. What he does with in that intended life in suspension is far from static.

What is old becomes new again. A church bell is melted down and turned into a cannon only to be melted again and returned to being a church bell. This metaphor is an apt one for the main character. As he begins his life before the Russian Revolution as a nobleman, he is turned an enemy of the state once the Soviets take over. What seems as anachronistic compared to the modern Soviet life becomes a treasured jewel of culture. A proud Russia lost over time to Soviet erasure. The Russia of old, the Russia of classic literature and culture, and most importantly the Nutcracker. A journey through the heart of Russia. A most engaging an excellent read.

3.4 - really difficult to become immersed in this story; some characters lacked depth, but I really enjoyed reading about the Triumverate and their culinary adventures

This story gave a human face to an aspect of the Russian revolution that is often overlooked. Everyone loves to hypothesize about the fate of the royal family, but the rest of the faced a more ordinary fate. The details of early Soviet life are crystal clear. Reading about the changes in Soviet Russia through his eyes gives a birds eye view of Moscow and the entire country.

This is one of those books where everything comes together in the end. The sum rather than the parts are what makes it so stirring. The history of Russia is told through the experiences of the Count who returns home after the revolution. Famous for writing a poem, he is put on house arrest in the upscale hotel he has been living in. Events that seemingly have no significance are put in place throughout in this clever story. Food, literature and music all play a part in telling the story of the Count and the characters he meets in his journey through one hotel.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

Count Alexander Rostov has been sentenced to life under house arrest in the Hotel Metropol by the Bolsheviks. His crime? Being an aristocrat. Should he set foot outside of the hotel at any point, he will be shot. And so begins A Gentleman in Moscow, a beautifully crafted novel of the friendships and encounters of Rostov with the guests and employees of the hotel and how it shapes his own knowledge of the outside world.

This novel was already heavily lauded by the time I got a chance to read it, and yet it did not disappoint. Author Amor Towles possesses an enviable ability to take day-to-day interactions and make them interesting and enjoyable. In his novel, Towles is limited in his setting, and even in the amount of characters the Count will interact with and yet, every interaction is either funny, poignant, or insightful. He periodically breaks from his narrative and addresses the reader directly, sometimes with humorous asides and others, with thought provoking observations.

I’m sure there are many that would disagree with me, but I found Towles’ writing reminiscent of Jane Austen. There are the witty asides and the narrator who addresses the reader, but most notably, the action of the novel consists of common interactions and conversations that are rendered so beautifully as to make the reader enjoy the minutiae. Towles’ skill with crafting plot around conversation and interactions and, consequently character development, shines. Though not what one would call light reading, it is truly entrancing.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Netgalley

Very enjoyable read. This book receives high marks in every area. The setting, story and characters were all unique and interesting. The writing was superb. I read the Kindle version and am now thinking that I want to get a print copy for my personal library just so I can read it again. It isn't a fast paced read or full of action, so if that is what you enjoy you may be disappointed in this book. Recommended for lovers of literary fiction.

I appreciate the author's efforts, but this novel failed to hold my attention.

Bravo! A masterpiece in my humble opinion. Luscious language, laugh out loud comedy, a lyrical triumph.