Ramble On

A Gentleman in Moscow is a wonderful and creative historical fiction novel by Amor Towles.    The story begins in 1922 in Moscow and ends in 1954 in a Russian village.    Count Alexander Rostov  is sentenced to  lifelong imprisonment in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow.    Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, nobles were sentenced to death or to banishment, but he is thought to have contributed a poem to the “cause” and is spared.    He moves from his luxurious suite to a small attic room and must reconcile his life to the confines of the hotel.   He establishes routines for himself and befriends staff and guests.    Outside the hotel the world is changing and as readers we learn about the changes in Russia indirectly through the Count’s eyes and through the words of his guests and visitors.  

 

“For if a room that exists under the governance, authority, and intent of others seems smaller than it is, then a room that exists in secret can, regardless of its dimensions, seem as vast as one cares to imagine.”

The novel has elements of romance, espionage, politics, culture, and history, but throughout the story we remember charm, wisdom, and insight into human nature.   Count Rostov and his friends value compassion, dignity, grace, and kindness.   Even when dark events are happening in the outside world, they retain their courtesy, consideration and self-respect.    Colorful characters are introduced and over the years, the Count develops connections that will later help him to escape his imprisonment.    The finest part of the book is his relationship with a young girl and later with her daughter (whom he ends up adopting).   

 

Every page of this book demonstrates superb storytelling craftsmanship.  I didn’t want the story to end.   Highly recommended – 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8