‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ Amor Towles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
A book to savour, and re-read with pleasure. Having just completed reading this book, I find much on which to reflect.
This book tells the story of Count Rostov, a Russian nobleman, sentenced in 1922 by a Bolshevik revolutionary court to indefinite detention in his place of residence, the Hotel Metropol in central Moscow.
It took me a while to become accustomed to this book’s style – to each sentence being one to savour rather than skim over. It is written with so much attention to detail that it is rendered impossible to read quickly without missing out. This caused me to put the book aside on one or two occasions when reading the early chapters. However, once I adjusted to the pace and style of reading required, I began to savour its detailed style, and by the end was left craving for more.
Apart from the occasional contextual flashback, the book tells the story of the Count’s life in the Hotel during his many years of detainment. The writer’s style is that of a verbal storyteller who occasionally addresses the reader directly. This style of writing sits comfortably aside the many stories told by the Count.
Even though I’ve little doubt that the witty and stylish writing alone would have been sufficient to make this book a delight to read, the story it tells is also fascinating.
Confined for decades to his stylish Hotel, the Count witnesses and is touched by many historical changes, which make the book an excellent, if incidental, commentary on societal and political changes in Russia and the world at large. The author’s admirable understanding of, and insight into human interactions, history, philosophy, music, literature and poetry, enhance this aspect of the book immeasurably.
The book may be viewed as a commentary on adjusting to change, which the ever charming Count certainly exemplifies. It is also a book that examines the relationship of friends and of children and their parents or guardians, and its impact on their lives.
However, above all, it is a book crafted by an exceptional wordsmith – an author rarely equipped to do justice to the many quotable words uttered by some of the book’s characters, and inparticular by the Count.
The Ivy League educated, Boston resident author of ‘Rules of Civility’ has written ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ as a book to be savoured for its exquisite prose, every bit as much as for the fascinating story it tells. Just don’t expect to skim read it.
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