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A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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"A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles begins with a map of Moscow, 1922, showing the Metropol Hotel and an epigraph, the poem "Where Is It Now?" by Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, 1913. 


Published: 2016
Author: Amor Towles 
Genres: Historical Fiction, Urban fiction, Political fiction
Pages: 462
My rating: 3.5/5

The novel is divided into five parts and presents a unique premise: a gentleman under house arrest in a luxury hotel in Moscow. At first glance, this premise does not seem particularly compelling for a full-length novel (at least for me), but Towles manages to craft an engaging and elegant narrative.

One of the novel's highlights is its prose, sophisticated and beautiful. Towles' admiration for Russian literature is evident throughout the book, and I couldn't relate more. I found the conversations between the protagonist, Count Rostov, and his friends—Mishka, Osip, Anna, and Nina—particularly enjoyable. It shows the author's talent for dialogue and character development.

However, the book does have a slow start, and I was not entirely hooked in the first half. Despite this initial sluggishness, the story gradually picks up pace and becomes more engaging as it progresses. While the first half might test the reader's patience, it sets a solid foundation for the more eventful and emotionally resonant second half.

Update: Dec 14, 2024

I watched the TV series, and I really liked the last episode. The older Sophia is adorable. After finishing it, I felt like reading the book again. So I picked it up, and now I enjoy and appreciate the writing more. And I got references to books I missed the last time. yay!šŸ˜Ž

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