A Gentleman in Moscow is a 2016 novel by Amor Towles. It is his second novel, published five years after his New York Times best seller, Rules of Civility (2011).
Reminded me of Armando Iannucci's 'Death of Stalin'. The resilience of the human spirit during isolation and incarceration. Humour and routine essential and surrounding oneself with qualitative beauty; a hideaway and characters.
There were times I nearly gave up on this. I didn't and overall I am glad I persevered. I do feel it could have had soem editing gown in parts though.
historical fiction covering the overthrow of the tsar to the world wars in Russia. didn't know much about Russian history so it was a delight to read / listen to. the writing style, befitting a gentleman, was quite formal so it listening meant I didn't need that period of adjustment to get the author's flow. I especially like the part when, as a detached former aristocrat, the count feels he is slowly becoming invisible and plans to kill himself with a ritualistic countdown. but then he is distracted by idea of honey bees and the next we see him, he is transformed into a working man, a fixture of the hotel, with concrete connections to the staff and a renewed purpose. the count adapted to his every circumstance, as history unfolded in Russia.
An absolute delight!
I've never experienced a book like it. I didn't want to read it, I couldn't bear to pick it up, and I left it for over a month. Not because it's terrible but because I knew that eventually the beauty would end. It is stunning and delicious.
