Comments by Lee :
"Just finished reading A Gentleman in Moscow.What a beautiful ending, very romantic and rather surprising. I had expected that the defection would be arranged for Sofia, but expected Rostov to join her. I am glad he didn’t and that they both went their own ways and I assume found their singular freedom.
The end was more mystery thriller than the major part of the book which was a touch of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (which I read recently) and Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day. Rostov is a ‘gentleman’ in the tradition of Tolstoy’ characters and 19th century Russia. And has the careful awareness of the butler in The Remains of the Day. Both societies long gone but looked on with nostalgia as we visit museums and restored palaces and grand houses. Although not too detailed, the outlines of modern Russian history are very informing and as I am so ancient, I remember the news in the days of Khrushchev and the Comintern and my father’s stories of his visit to Moscow in the 60’s. Quite different from my observations in modern capitalist Moscow this year.
While I was a little perturbed at first by the similarity in writing style to Tolstoy as if Towles was *emulating* the great writer, I soon began to enjoy the book and Towles’ writing about the manners of society and the elegance of the Count. Was he too good to be true? The premise of ‘house arrest’ in such an elegant hotel and all the perks (food and wine) that went with it seemed somewhat unbelievable in Bolshevik times, (did Aun San Suu Kyi have such a lavish house arrest) and how did he pay for it over 23 years. Niggling little things that for me spoiled the story in places. Chateau Margaux and Chateau d’Yquem indeed. But the many staff who populate the hotel are delightful characters although the Bishop is such a caricature he could come from Fawlty Towers. I haven’t really formed an opinion yet of Sofia and would be interested to hear all your thoughts.
I savoured reading the events of the Count’s house arrest and his friendships and his gentlemanly observations and philosophy. A little repetitive at times but the thrilling ending was such that I couldn’t put the book down and was relieved that it did have a happy resolution.
Thanks for a great recommendation."
We rated this book 10.12/10 (!!) Someone gave it 11/10 ....
It was described as : "delightful, engaging, gentlemanly, descriptive and layered"
I'd say that this book was a great finish to a year of reading!
Our next meeting is on Wednesday February 7th, 2018 at Jane's and the choice of book is The Better Son by Katherine Johnson
