A Gentleman in Moscow
by "Amar Towles"
Overall Review: 4
Grip Factor: 4
Writing Style: 4
Engaging Plot: 4
Characters: 4.5
Satisfying end: 4
This book is one of the most emotionally and linguistically challenging books that I have read in some time. You do need a dictionary continuously while reading it. Sometimes you get lost in between when it comes to historical references or discussion on great poets or literature. You need to read and re-read certain passages to be able to grasp the exact reference. It is tough in the beginning and you need to push yourself till you complete around 40% of the book. A little girl comes in the life of the count and things become interesting. That is when it becomes difficult to keep the book down.
Being stuck, jailed at a hotel for his entire adult life; the count has made a routine and a life for himself. He moves from being a count to a common man to a father during the course of his stay. Even being in such a grim situation, he tries to make the best of the life. His affair with an actress, his discovery of a secret room, his relationship with Nina and his friend Mishka, his camaraderie with the people he worked with, even his regular meeting with Osip; all reflect his attitude towards life.
The author has taken one location and written an entire book on it with limited characters. The story and life of the count is tightly built around the life of the Hotel and everyone working in it. There is certainly a lot of research done by the author while writing the book however, the writing could have been made little more simple.
Few things which I referenced while reading this book -
1. Dictionary definitely - This book has all the difficult words possible
2. Map of Russia to get a hang of where everyone is during the story
3. Links to history of Russia specially around the Renaissance
3. Links to various wines and their composition to understand which would suit which food item
Needless to say I learned a lot while reading this book and also I have always been a vodka fan.
"Who would have imagined - when you were sentenced to a life in the Metropol all those years ago, that you had just become the luckiest man in all of Russia"
"What matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim"
