Amor Towles
2016-09-08
Selected as a BOOK OF THE YEAR in THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND IRISH TIMES
More than half a million readers have fallen in love with the New York Times bestseller A Gentleman in Moscow
‘This novel is astonishing, uplifting and wise. Don’t miss it’ Chris Cleave
‘No historical novel this year was more witty, insightful or original than Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow’ Sunday Times, Books of the Year
‘Charming ... shows that not all books about Russian aristocrats have to be full of doom and nihilism’ The Times, Books of the Year
On 21 June 1922, Count Alexander Rostov – recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club, Master of the Hunt – is escorted out of the Kremlin, across Red Square and through the elegant revolving doors of the Hotel Metropol.
Deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the Count has been sentenced to house arrest indefinitely. But instead of his usual suite, he must now live in an attic room while Russia undergoes decades of tumultuous upheaval.
Can a life without luxury be the richest of all?
This historical fiction is a beautifully crafted narrative that immerses you in the life of a man confined to a luxury hotel for decades. Towles’ prose is elegant and evocative, making this a rich and absorbing read. The way he portrays the character's resilience and adaptability is truly remarkable. It’s a testament to the human spirit and the unexpected joys of an unconventional life.
Diving into 'A Gentleman in Moscow' was like being served a meticulously crafted cocktail – smooth, with a surprising twist. Towles' prose is sharp, each sentence a perfectly cut gem, and the historical backdrop is just the right shade of opulent. Count Alexander Rostov’s charm and resilience made his confinement in the grand Metropol Hotel feel almost aspirational. I found myself eager to sip slowly, savouring each page, and I reckon this is the kind of book Melbourne’s hidden bars were made for.
