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(group member since Jun 26, 2015)
megan’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Jun 06, 2017 06:09AM
Day 3 - finally getting good!!!!14. The Count meets an Englishman in the bar and tells him what happened to his sister. What did you think of the story and were you surprised he told it to a stranger in a bar? Do you think he's right to feel responsible and do you think it is influencing his actions and behaviour?
No, I wasn’t surprised he told the Englishman. It’s as if he needed to get it off his chest one last time before he ends it. He shouldn’t feel responsible for her death at all. Her heartbreak? Yes. Death? No.
15. On the night he decides to end things he involves himself in the discussion in the bar then hesitates at the edge of the roof. Do you think he would really have stepped off if he hadn't been interrupted? Why do you think he changed his mind after tasting the honey?
I think he would have. If he saw the afterlife as a chance to be with the sister he feels he owes so many apologies too. It was the apples. A sign, maybe?
16. "when you exile a man into his own country, there is no beginning anew" Do you agree that for a man like the Count his confinement to the hotel is a greater punishment than if he'd been exiled to another country? Would this be the case for everyone as the book suggests? It seemed like the Prince didn't suffer so much being subject to the Minus Six.
Yes. Especially since he has family and money in Europe. It wouldn’t be the case for everyone – depends on access to funds and ties outside the country.
17. I really like Nina as a character and loved the relationship between her and the Count so was surprised when she met him as an adult and was so cold towards him. Why do you think this was? Do you think they'll be reunited and become close again or are they heading in different directions?
He represents everything she and her friends have committed their lives to eradicating. She’d likely have to answer questions from her friends later on, and seeming cold would make lying easier. I hope she reappears.
18. Anna's fortunes changed dramatically. What did you think about how she dealt with it? Do you believe she has changed? What about her relationship with the Count? Were you surprised? Do you think it is serious and will last or are they just using each other?
Anna’s attempt to regain fame was ingenious. It worked wonderfully. I don’t know if it matters if she changed or not. She is from humble beginnings. I wasn’t surprised to see her return. She was too affected by their first encounter. It’s not serious, it’s mutual need.
19. The Count is working as head waiter in the restaurant and seems to have formed a real friendship with Andrey and Emile. What are your thoughts on Andrey and Emile and why do you think they get on so well? I absolutely loved the scene with Triumvirate and the bouillabaisse but was a bit confused as to why it was such a secret. Why was it so important to them and why did it cause such a strong emotional reaction?
Love that he’s found a purpose with such old friends. The spices must remain a secret because they aren’t typical Russian spices available to everyone, which goes against the principles of communism. Being caught with such contraband could easily mean death. It represents a life once had with people who appreciate the power of food.
20. What were your feelings on the meeting between the Count and Osip Ivanovich Glebnikov? He wants the Count to meet with him regularly to help him learn about the English and the French languages and cultures. Why do you think this is and why the Count? Do you think the Count will gain anything from this or is he heading for trouble?
He worries me. If Sasha teaches him of English and French, Glebnikov will have an advantage over his comrades. I can see Osip taking advantage of the Count to get a heads up, but turning on Sasha in the end.
Jun 05, 2017 09:22AM
Ugh! Sorry for being so far behind - I just couldn't get into this until page ~100.Days 1 & 2
1. Do you have much previous knowledge of Russian history and politics in the early 1900s? How does that affect how you feel at the start of the book?
I do. I read The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
a couple years ago. I was well aware of the socioeconomic factors that would likely drive the story.2. I got a bit of a "Little Princess" vibe when the count was banished to the attic of the hotel. And there is a great section on saying goodbye to people vs. saying goodbye to possessions. "We carry them from place to place, often at considerable expense and inconvenience;...all the while allowing memories to invest them with greater and greater importance....But, of course, a thing is just a thing." What do you think of the possessions he elected to take with him to the attic? If you were in a similar situation, what is one thing you would for sure take with you?
He chose these possessions in order to recreate as much of a scaled down version of his previous life as possible. As much as they are just 'things,' the aristocracy are defined by their 'things' or ability to acquire them. If i had to choose one thing to bring with me it would be my college diploma. i'm not very sentimental.
3. What do you think about the Count and his reading habits? Specifically - how he is struggling with the Essays and how he likes to tilt back his chair. Can you relate to either or both of those?
He's used to novels, not non-fiction. It comes with having the life he was accustomed to. Tilting his chair simply means he likes to relax when reading and out of habit.
4. The Count has to decide how he will handle his confinement. He thinks of favorite literary characters, and finally decides he will commit to practicalities. What do you think that means, and is there anything he does in this early stage that you particularly admire?
Practicalities because he still has to be able to live a semi-normal life. That he sets up such a small room as if it were many is highly admirable.
5. Why do you think it is called "A Gentleman in Moscow" instead of "A Count in Moscow"? Just because it sounds better, or do you think there is a reason? Do you find him an appealing character so far?
The term 'count' would be looked upon badly in the time people in which the story is set. Even if Sasha's title is removed, he is still a gentlemen.
6. Nina (the little girl in yellow) seems to be an important distraction. What is your impression of her so far? Do you think she will be an important character?
She's a wonderfully playful addition and I am glad she becomes a regular.
7. A Gentleman in Moscow references a lot of famous Russian literature (War and Peace, The Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, etc.) and famous Russian authors (Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, etc.). Have you read any Russian literature/any of the books the author cites? How is this novel similar or different to these works?
I've read several. The writing styles of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky are the typical romantic/dramatic styles of their time period. They make modern literature feel as if it is lacking.
8. The Count met a large cast of colorful characters in this section. Which encounter, vignette, or flashback was your favorite? Which one struck you the most?
I loved the story about the apples and that he could use it to relate to more than one of his acquaintances.
9. What do you think of Anna Urbanova? Do you think she will reappear in the story later?
Purposely aloof. She'll be back.
10. The Count believes Anna has cast a sort of spell on him that is turning him more ghost-like. Is there evidence to support this? The Count vividly describes friendship in the last chapter of this section, Anonymity (on page 134). By his description, do you think the Count has any remaining friends?
Maybe more ghost like because he is no longer the larger than life physical presence in the hotel due to his confinement. It could also be because he has lost most of his friends or they have moved on or stayed behind when Sasha returned home. Russia is changing drastically outside the hotel and the Count is remaining the same. Everyone he once held close has moved on.
11. The wine cellar seems to be a turning point in the Count’s perspective on his imprisonment. What did you think of his description of the wines? What are your thoughts on the Bishop? Do you think that he really orchestrated this change out of spite, or was it higher officials that brought this to pass?
Loved the descriptions of the wines. Not a fan of the Bishop.
12. The narrator has a couple of lively footnotes in these chapters. Do you think the narrative voice is the Count, or someone else? How are the narrator and the Count similar or different? Do you think the Count is as happy or vivacious as the narrator seems to be?
The narrator is someone else. He/she has the advantage of knowing what becomes of the characters and Sasha is just taking it day by day. There has to be more inner turmoil than he lets on.
13. The chapters in this section foreshadow the Count attempting suicide. We were left on quite a cliffhanger! What do you think has driven him to this point? As we are getting more of a window into his past, do you have any theories as to why the Count returned to Moscow in the first place? How do you like the Count as a protagonist thus far?
After all he has been through, it would take something extreme to push the Count to the point of suicide. I think it mentions he returned for family. Maybe his sister? Maybe its a revelation about his sister or someone he loves that drives him to the point of suicide. As a character, the Count is finally gaining some depth.
Bethany wrote: "Random Discussion Question of the DayIs there anything that you do that you think is cool, but also seems somewhat unusual or misunderstood? This could be book-related (for example, I have a frie..."
I only keep the book(s) I'm currently reading on my Kindle app. I delete everything as soon as I've read it. I got used to freeing up the space when I had my first iPhone and practically no storage. Even now, with an iPad and phone with enough storage to download every book I've ever read, its habit.
I left my copy of A Gentleman From Moscow at my parents place last weekend and just now got it back. I know this is answered somewhere in here, but I can't find it. Can I still read and answer the questions for points?
When a friend recommends a crappy book i flat out tell them "Ew" but they know my taste in books and that I'm blunt. :oP
Bethany wrote: "Had a mini-revelation today surrounding how many things I do that I don't like doing or don't want to do because I think other people want me to do them even though it doesn't help or hurt them one..."How to Stop Worrying and Start Living pretty much defines how I live. I have my grandfather's copy from the 50s and one of it's anxiety quotes tattooed around my wrist.
I don't have time to read through all the posts, so I'm sorry if this has been asked or mentioned before: Do I just read whatever I want? No goals, like Read a book with a color in the title, or anything??
Thanks for accepting my friend requests everyone. I promise not to stalk too much :oP
No problem. I got a copy for Christmas and this gives me the perfect reason to bump it up the list.
Apr 23, 2017 09:41AM
Yay! I have an excuse to read this one! I'll do DQ if there is room.
If i weren't lazy I'd upload a puppers pic but i sorta forget html.
Hi everyone, I'm Megan,Have you played Tower Teams before? Yes - last round.
What is your favorite genre? Least favorite? I love mysteries, especially crime/espionage and historical fiction. My least favorite is comic books, if that counts as a genre. shrug.
How many books do you average a week? 3ish. This usually means I'm reading three books at once, but I try keep at least one classic or non-fiction book among the lot.
Are you looking forward to being a chatty team? What shall we talk about? Sure. I'm not shy.
Are you a dog person? Yes. I have a 9 year old beast of a boxer named Brady
Anything else you would like to share: I'm a mechanical engineer from Ohio. I get most of my reading done while traveling for work, because I make a co-worker drive :)
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