ChrisP’s Comments (group member since May 19, 2025)

ChrisP’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Does anyone else prefer a real book when they can get there hands on it rather than the ebook? I have been having less headaches and sleeping better when reading a physical copy. To qualify this statement I do have epilepsy and brain trauma.

May 17 1950/Adagio.. - Achilles Agonoistes 321 - 394
Discussion Questions

28: Sofia is now seventeen on the edge of adulthood, did you find the Counts reaction when he found Sofia alone with Victor Stepanovich an older man unexpected or natural?

Very natural. It was the first time for him to see his daughter in the light of possibly being taken advantage by an older man. I am not sure how fornication is looked upon in Russia in these days.

29: Over the years the Count and Richard Vanderwhile develop a friendship do you agree with the narrator of the book that people of similar social standing and upbringing will gravitate towards each other?

Most definitely. We as a people gravitate towards people that are like us. I think it is difficult for people to break this bond that is we have the problems that we have today from ignorance in other backgrounds. That is why I like to read cultural books.

30: The Count became very upset when he discovered Sofia And Anna had become acquainted without his knowledge. Why do you think he wished to keep his relationship with Anna and his life as Sofia's father separate?

It could be he was embarrassed about it. Or more likely people get upset when truth comes out from loved ones that one does not want to hear.

31: Were you surprised when Richard asked the Count to spy? Do you think this request and the Count turning him down will effect their friendship?

No I was not surprised by this. He was in position to be an asset to someone in the state department. I was surprised it didn't happen sooner. I was proud of the count for refusing to provide the information the friend mentioned as gossip (which the count wouldn't tolerate) but at the end of the day it would lead to spying and once you go down the path...

32: What did you make of Mishka's Manuscript on bread? Do you think bread holds a special place in the Russian consciousness after reading the quotes Mishka used?

I was amused by it. Since it started when he was asked to remove a sentence about it from his work which led him being sent to Siberia for a time and with the passages that follow especially about after ones joy is taken away how he couldn't enjoy bread anymore. I think bread holds a special place in many cultures heart. From the biblical times to today in most cultures around the world.

33: As we come to the final part of book what do you imagine will become of the Count, Sofia and Anna?

The best Russian novels end in tragedy so I am concerned. My hopes are that Sofia is able to escape to Paris but I can see how the count may kill himself by leaving the hotel and being shot. He will most certainly publish Miska work under his name and create problems for himself. Anna death and his daughter escape may lead him down the path where suicide might be a statement of defiance instead of depression.
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I was amused by the passages of bread. In the household I live in it was almost become a curse word because of the carbs:)

Bread and Salt was also referred to in Game of Thrones as a symbol of peace under ones roof. Never mind its in the wiki article. lol

#21. Up to this point in the book we have seen many references to smell and taste and ingredients of both wine and food, what significance do you think this has on the book? Who do you think the mystery ingredient provider may be?

I think it is the author connecting us with the book regarding a sense of smell and taste not only the sympathy, empathy and an enthralling story. I always thought the mystery ingredients were coming from Anna

#22. The Count may be exiled, but he has no shortage of funds and it doesn't seem to come solely from his coin stash, why do you think that his money was not impounded by the court when he was placed into exile? What impact would that have had on the story? Do you think he is paying for the room he stays in?

I don't think he is paying for the room he is staying in. The state issued him that room. The count is a rather industrious and resourceful character coming up with money necessary. I think the coins worked for the first part of the book and now he has a job working at the finest hotel in Moscow.

#23. What are your thoughts on Nina leaving Sofia with the Count? Would this be the way you would deal with the situation if faced with the same? If you were in a similar position, given the story thus far, would you feel as if you knew Sasha enough to do the same?

Desperate times calls for desperate measures. It does show how NIna felt about the Count in her time in the hotel. I am not a parent so I wouldn't know if Nina felt like she was better off than going to Siberia.

#24. What are your thoughts on the "thimble" game? What do you think is says about Sofia, and what does it show us about the Count?

It shows the Sofia just like her Mother was crafty and tricking the count was child's play. The Count like most adults think linearly and him assuming he could be more clever than her was a good lesson for her to learn

#25. Do you think the count has after had to look after anyone else in his life or has he only ever been looked after? Do you think that the Count is changing more now than ever before in his life? What might be some indications that make you think the way you do?

I think the Count may have looked after his sister but I think Sofia is the first taste of real responsibility for him. Like everyone we all change with the seasons, as are experiences grows so do we.

#26. What do you think are the ramifications of Sofia's presence? Do you think that we will see Nina again?

All Russian stories have one thing in common they all end in heart break. The foreshadowing of Nina never returning to the hotel doesn't me the two are not reunited or the father doesn't return.

#27. Do you think anything will happen to the count for going to the hospital? Why do you think that Osip helped him?

Yes, if someone does prosecute him they can use this as another example to him send him to a work camp. Osip helped him because I think Osip grown to respect him as a man and a father and I don't think Osip wanted to lose him.

I haven't done the next set of questions yet but I love the addition of Sophia.

Great questions Alison!!!

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?

It is easier to tell a passing stranger sometimes than your closet friend. I think he feels responsible for not being where he needed to be when she was dying. His actions lead to the Helena being wooed, raped, and left. His next actions is what he blames himself for. He went to kill a man and ended up fleeing the country instead of being there when his sister needed him the most.

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 is a romantic and he executed a plan and would have killed himself if he wasn't interrupted. The honey reminded him that life still has pleasant surprises at one's darkest hour. Cause and effect. Things that occurred to put his friend, (The friend he made on the same day he was feeling invisible.). To be there at the moment.

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.

It was a far worse punishment for the count. He could watch the world he loved be dismantled bit by bit. He saw himself being left out of it. If he would have been exiled to France he would have blossomed. His romantic heart for the motherland would be as he would remember it. Not for what it is becoming now.

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?

Nina is a firey independent spirit. I think she wanted to keep him her secret from your friends. I think she may be up to trouble also and wanted to keep the count away from it.

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?

Realizing her 15 minutes were up she cleverly found a niche for herself in secondary roles. She has changed because until you have been on top and haven't been taken down you don't know what it is like. She now can sympathize with the count. They are not serious they are two souls that have been humbled to a lower position and they take comfort with one another sometimes

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?

They are three men who thrived during the aristocracy their skills were second to none and had the resources to create magic.
They all appreciate the finer things in life and understand the importance of wanting to produce it. A friendship forged with passionate tastes with a common enemy. The triumvirate were so resolved to making this dish, it was their protest against changes to couldn't change.

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?

It doesn't matter what the count does it will get him in trouble. He has in informer watching him closely that doesn't like him. The new regime wants to host the world stage to show the world their new way of government is the best and all should follow. There is social etiquette to hosting the world leaders and Osip realized the jewel under his nose and he was going to utilize it. The count will make another contact who may provide some information at a later date.

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Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "ChrisP wrote: "Does anyone else use gem coins?"

I'm not sure how to use them. I have earned them but never used them."

How do I received them? I'm doing BOM and participating but don't now how do go about receiving them. I read what there was out there.

Does anyone else use gem coins?

Ora wrote: "How is everyone doing today? I'm getting ready to go to Jack Hanna's zoo. My sister is excited to show me the baby polar bears and cheetahs."

Sounds fun. For some reason a wave of getting things done got me up at dawn. Dishes, laundry, kitchen and living room cleaned and yard work by 10am. Now I'm shutting my eyes.

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 have read a many of their works and yes the author is spot on. It gets quite confusing.

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?

The story about the actress that thought she would have a good laugh by dismissing him like he was nothing more than a booty call. Then the addendum where her childish behavior ensued.

9. What do you think of Anna Urbanova? Do you think she will reappear in the story later?

I hope so

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?

I think the count is depressed and feeling useless. After the insult where they made all the wine red/white was the end of his rope.

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?

I am sure it was him. He was embarrassed by his lack of knowledge of the wines and since many of the servers union lack of knowledge of the wines instead of taking the time to learn the wines they said it was something the aristocracy and must be wiped from the land. The count takes great pride in his knowledge of food and beverage. Andry must feel similar. I'm still angry about it:)


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?

The author was me identifying with him to the point where I'm depressed. Pride took him back to Russia and I'm wandering since then next chapter is 1926 whats going to happen. I'm on the edge of my seat.
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Great job on turning the pages team!!!

I am loving A Gentleman in Moscow. I am reading it slowly because the author has been able to make me ponder things about my life:)

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?
(Note: Wikipedia states there was a Russian civil war in 1917 followed immediately by a Revolution from 1917 to October 1922 - which is the year our book starts.)

Yes, I know quite a bit about history and I was excited to learn about a period of time from someone from that time period would have lived in the turbulent time.

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?

Practical things of use that are refined to a gentlemen's standard. He can use the items as well as feel like he isn't losing himself.

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 is a romantic and the essays are a lessons for a practical mind. For example: If I walk in house I would go upstairs insert pages on reasons why to go upstairs or I would go downstairs insert the same dull reasons.

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?

I think he meant he would continue to be a gentlemen in the face of situation that was unfairly thrust upon him

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?

I think it is a clever title because the count thinks of himself as a gentlemen of all else. The titles quit mattering and people were not allowed to refer to him them and he said "a gentlemen must change with the times."

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 will be a critical character into teaching him about life through a child's eyes a renewed since of excitement that only a child can bring. I am secretly hoping she is one of the Romanev's children that survived that fatal night when the family was massacred.

Sorry I've been lagging. This last few days have been crazy. Friends came over the last two days and today was the first day it was dry enough to work outside for two weeks.

I may read You|. The others I have either read or not interested in. What concerns my about You is I will probably root for the bad guy. I respect someone who goes after what they want:) jk

Completion Post

Into the Wild*****by Erin Hunter
Read 5/10
Kindle p290

I read the book because my 10 year old niece loved it. I'm not a cat person and it may be a children's this book it is an exciting ride.

I also can recommend The Art of Racing in the Rain enough. It a great book and taught me things about myself.

The books I voted for are (they never win)
Lost Girl
A Long Way Home
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "What? I wonder if Nebraska does this. Our libraries use Overdrive. How did you find out about this, Chris?"

Google NebraKard Program.

Ang Figgy-Pudding wrote: "What? I wonder if Nebraska does this. Our libraries use Overdrive. How did you find out about this, Chris?"

In Indiana it is called the placard. It cost $65 a year (which is a lot of money to me) but it pays for itself quickly. I put items on hold in 3 different libraries I get most stuff from Indianapolis but the secret of Overdrive is out and get take a moon or two to get a popular book. For example Gentlemen in Moscow. In mid size cities I found they have a pretty large selection without a lot of heavy traffic. Gentlemen in Moscow was 1/8 instead of 128/35.