Amor Towles’ novel A Gentleman in Moscow is a supremely enjoyable journey into the life of post-Great War Russia’s last gentleman.
The pages drip with life; its characters grow and breathe with startling familiarity as Towles wraps the reader in what often feels like Downtown Abbey on paper.
From the detailed description- and delightful surprises- of the Grand Duke’s desk and Count Rostov’s youthful nobility we’re simultaneously given a sense of grandeur and a sense of loss.
Readers admire the Count for his Stoic approach to unjust imprisonment. We anticipate the blossoming of friendships with Nina and Anna. We root for him in his war with The Bishop.
This book enjoyably exceeded my expectations. I felt there was something secret that I just HAD to be in on lurking just beneath the surface and I couldn’t wait to find it.
And Towles delivered.