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What Members Thought
Jul 12, 2023
Meera
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
23fav
4.5
A few years ago, I began listening to this book as an audiobook but had to stop because it was taking too long. I'm happy that I finally returned to it. Although it was slow-paced, I enjoyed being immersed in the life of the Count in his hotel. He was a wonderful character, as were the others. This book also taught me more about Russia. ...more
A few years ago, I began listening to this book as an audiobook but had to stop because it was taking too long. I'm happy that I finally returned to it. Although it was slow-paced, I enjoyed being immersed in the life of the Count in his hotel. He was a wonderful character, as were the others. This book also taught me more about Russia. ...more
May 24, 2021
Nancy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
russia,
literary-fiction
Although I have classed this book as literary fiction, in many ways it defies genre. It is partly literary, partly historical, partly magical realism. Overall, it was pretty enjoyable, although I found it just a little bit too long.
This is the story of Alexander Rostov, a member of Russian aristocracy who, thanks to a poem he allegedly wrote, is sentenced by the Bolsheviks to spend the rest of his life in the Metropole Hotel rather than be shot. Rostov, rather than collapsing in despair, takes t ...more
This is the story of Alexander Rostov, a member of Russian aristocracy who, thanks to a poem he allegedly wrote, is sentenced by the Bolsheviks to spend the rest of his life in the Metropole Hotel rather than be shot. Rostov, rather than collapsing in despair, takes t ...more
Satiric historical fiction in which the history of Russia in the 20th Century is told through the hilariously improbable involvement of a Count whose pre-Revolutionary publication of a progressive poem spares him more severe post-Revolutionary treatment and leaves him under house arrest at the luxury Moscow hotel where he was living anyway.
For a thoroughly likeable character to face an impossible situation with calm dignity is really my favorite sort of fantasy for fiction. Old Count Rostov's ad ...more
For a thoroughly likeable character to face an impossible situation with calm dignity is really my favorite sort of fantasy for fiction. Old Count Rostov's ad ...more
As others said this starts out a little slow. And to be honest, I got 1/3 through the audio with little idea of what I'd listened to, so I started over on Kindle, and I'm glad I did. Something about the narrator's voice made it really hard for me to pay attention. I did end up switching between the two formats but there were definitely times I had to rewind. Anyway, this is a wonderful book, the Count is such a fantastic character as are the other characters in the book, even the Bishop. I loved
...more
There was a lot I liked about this book along with things that annoyed me. I’ll admit most of your annoyances have more to do with my preferences than any faults of the book. I get annoyed at too much description and this book was chock full of it. Plus there were a few things that never were answered that irked me.
Having said that I loved the strong female characters in this who were all very different. I loved the way everything worked like a puzzle, people fitting in and stories overlapping. ...more
Having said that I loved the strong female characters in this who were all very different. I loved the way everything worked like a puzzle, people fitting in and stories overlapping. ...more
Sep 12, 2017
Brittany Gillis
marked it as to-read
Oct 07, 2017
Amanda Brady
marked it as to-read
Mar 01, 2018
Marleah (marleah_a)
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2018
Susan
marked it as to-read
Jul 07, 2018
Jeanne
marked it as to-read
Aug 15, 2021
JoDee
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2021-books-aty-challenge,
2021popsugar
Nov 12, 2019
Trish
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
book-club
Dec 09, 2020
Tanya
marked it as to-read
