#30: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016, 480 pages)

What a fantastic book. When I think about the joy I get from reading, it is experiences like the one I had with this book that I think of. I cherish this novel. It is one of those shout-it-from-the-rooftops, please-everyone-go-read-this-now kind of books. It is brimming with charm and class, yet not pretentious. The writing is simple yet elegant. It tells a story full of heart while effortlessly teaching history lessons. It presents characters you fall in love with and wish were real so you could be friends with them. One of the taglines that accompanies the book is "He can't leave. You won't want to." That's exactly how I felt!

I was skeptical at first. The book takes place almost entirely inside of The Metropol hotel in Moscow where our gentleman, Count Alexander Rostov, is under house arrest. Doesn't sound exciting does it? Well hold on, let me describe some of the scenes. Ahem: Rostov at the barbershop getting his weekly trim. Rostov at the seamstress getting his pants mended. Rostov eating dinner and eavesdropping being observant of a young couple and suggesting the perfect wine pairing for their meal. Rostov watching Casablanca with a friend. Ok, I know it doesn't sound like much happens, but I am showing restraint in what I tell you! The Count, a Man of Intent, develops deep relationships, experiences love, and has adventures while living in the same building for three decades.

The scenes take place in 1922, '23, '24, '26, '30, '38, '46, '50, '52, '53, '54 (which I just noticed is a "ladder" that ascends and descends at the same rate). If you're familiar with Russian history over that time span, you'll know that a lot happens in those 30 years. The macro events of 5-year plans, rapid industrialization, famine, suppression of political opponents, Red Terror, and war impact the microcosm of the hotel. While I learned a lot of history, it was only just enough to whet the appetite and get me interested in learning more. It is doled out so effortlessly that it hardly felt like learning at all.

I don't want to say much else other than I highly recommend it. Whatever was next on your to-read list, bump this to the top. The Count is a man of erudition and wit and he's bound to charm the pants off you too. It's futile to resist. Especially during a time when most of us are under our own kind of house arrest, this book is full of zest and positive energy. I leave you with my favorite quote which, though difficult to choose just one, I couldn't not pick:

The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.

Stay cheerful, y'all!
Kyle