Lynn Carr
asked:
am almost finished with this excellent book, but I have a question. I must have missed the part where the Count became a waiter. Maybe my bookmark fell out. All of a sudden he goes from having hidden gold coins to working as a waiter in the hotel. How did he fall into these reduced circumstances? This book pretty much sums all the Russian books I have read into one very touching story.
To answer questions about
A Gentleman in Moscow,
please sign up.
Tracy
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Jamie
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Emily Murphy
In addition to the other answers, he has the experience and an uncanny natural ability. He did the dinner seating charts for his mother as a young man. He also has a vast experience with food and wine. He doesn't need the money...he needs the purpose.
Hannah Suckle
It has nothing to do with money. He realizes he needs to have purpose and given his understanding what perfect service should be he finds a way to use those skills he has. Also he can't let the Boyarsky fall into the hands of the Bishop who will ruin everything that makes it what he loves the most about it.
Malise O'Banion
I laughed when I read Lynn's comment because I actually went back to that part of the book to see what I missed--I can think of many reasons WHY he became a waiter, but did think that was an abrupt change of character and circumstance.
LLNYC
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Ryan
I believe that after World War 2 it was implied that it was hard to find people to work as waiters at the hotel as they were fighting. Since they couldn't find good waiters, the Count decided to start working at the restaurant since he was very familiar with cuisine and etiquette.
Chris
You're not alone. This is a conspicuous failure in one of the best books I've ever read, a count who has "never worked a day in his life" suddenly in a service position. I even reread the previous pages and my first reaction was correct - it's jarringly abrupt. But agreed on all counts here - he clearly has the financial wherewithal to live without working, and the only possibility that remains is that he did it for a sense of purpose.
Ginna
I agree with David, the Count chose to work to give purpose to his life and to help preserve the traditions of dining he cherished.
Hollie Rose
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
David Bryant
I think finding a purpose was one reason. but he also may have needed to supplement his income for some reason. if he did not wish to disclose that he had the gold, or if it was hard to convert it, he may have needed some money to support his lifestyle.
Judy
I’m so glad it wasn’t only me who questioned this. I was afraid that I totally missed something.
Janis
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Elainebitt
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Jim
I'm about halfway through, so I can't comment on the book in its entirety, but you're right that this happens abruptly in the book. I thought I'd missed or forgotten something too, but it seems to happen between chapters after a certain period of time has elapsed.
I don't think he's fallen into reduced circumstances (again, not having completed the book). His world is limited by his house arrest. He's a very sociable and energetic individual. I think he does it solely for the comradery and to pass the time in the hotel, as well as to give his life some sort of meaning and a feeling of industriousness.
I don't think he's fallen into reduced circumstances (again, not having completed the book). His world is limited by his house arrest. He's a very sociable and energetic individual. I think he does it solely for the comradery and to pass the time in the hotel, as well as to give his life some sort of meaning and a feeling of industriousness.
Jennyamorosohome.Com
Subconsciously I had this same question and I thought I had missed something . Throughout most of the book I made the assumption that he had resigned himself to the confinement that was imposed on him and decided to build a meaningful life within those confines. It seemed to me that he knew he had talent and extraordinary knowledge of wining and dining to bring to a place he spent so much time in.
Kathy W.
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Janie Prucha
This was strange for me too, but then lots of the book is strange and especially confusing. I did read in an interview with Amor Towles, that, “the chapters advance by a doubling principal: one day after arrest, two days after, five days, ten days, three weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, one year, two years, four years, eight years, and sixteen years after arrest.” This would explain why there was such a leap of time between not being an employee of the hotel, to becoming the head waiter. See: https://www.amortowles.com/gentleman-...
Matthew Whyndham
"May I have a word ... ?" The reader has to alert themselves to such details, as much as Rostov does.
Natalie Rachel
I had exactly the same question! :)
Beth Wilson
I just finished the book, and I wondered when it happened. All of a sudden he was the head waiter. I went back and reread the previous 2 chapter because I thought I missed something since I dont recall it ever being addressed.
Alicja
They don't dedicate much time to the transition, when I read it I thought so as well so I went back to as far as I could remember reading and re-read the bit again. I must say I would have referred if they dedicated more time towards it so that the transition is more seamless and less confusing.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Jul 08, 2019 04:44PM · flag
Jun 25, 2020 11:49AM · flag