Bill’s review of A Gentleman in Moscow > Likes and Comments
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One of my favorite reads of last year. It was such a surprise!
I very much loved this read. Tonight our brewery book club will be discussing this and I cannot wait to see what the others thought.
I am reading it now, in a "bookclub-of-two" with one of my students and we are both enjoying it.
Thanks for the great review Bill. Now I want to read it. Will add to my list.
I've had this on my TBR list for ages. Maybe I need to bump it up to the top. I'm hearing/reading a lot of good things about it.
Fabulous read. I loved this book and yet couldn't get into his Rules of Civility despite trying twice.
Been meaning to read this for ages - just reserved it at my library! :)
Thanks for the review. I plan to read this book.
Had this on my reading list, now I can't wait!
It is an extremely well written book. I throughly enjoyed reading it
I had wondered if Bill and Melinda did a buddy read!
I have been following your reviews and they are personal and comprehensive, really impressed and inspired that you are taking the time to write them down - thank you for leading by example.
I loved your review Mr Gates. And I loved this book as well. Your points about characterization are spot on! The Count WAS charming and eccentric and Towles added clever touches to make him feel so real. I have never been lucky enough to see the Metropol in person but the descriptions made me feel as if I had. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful review.
I just finished Rules of Civility! I'll have to add this to my TBR pile. Thank you for the lovely review Mr. Gates :)
I went through a period of only reading 19th Century Russian literature so it has a familiar yet more accessible feel. The Count is now one of my favorite characters. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
A wonderful; review. This line in particular sums up Count Rostov so well:
"The Count should be an insufferable character, but the whole thing works because he’s so charming."
One comment of yours puzzled me though - you refer to his "being forced" to become a waiter. I did not get the impression that the Count had been forced to do this. As far as I can see - on my second reading of the book now - there is no explanation of how he suddenly becomes head waiter.
I had imagined that when the position became vacant - by virtue of his nemesis's promotion (once again) - Emile and Andrey had urged the Count to take over, feeling he was the best man for the job. And that, as he had in fact not much else to do, and he loved food and wine and the finer points of upscale dining so much - he took it on.
However, in now considering the idea of his being forced into the role, I can also imagine how that could have happened: that self-same nemesis declaring that since the Count considered himself such the expert, he must now serve as Head Waiter. The nemesis would no doubt think this a punishment, yet it certainly was not!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and also felt like the Count was an old friend by the end of it. The writing is beautiful, as is the plot and character development!
Many thanks for the review. It really is a great novel
Fatto di tutto per non è più grande successo e il mio primo cittadino che si sono fatti di un po'ke mi utenti che just ogni lunedì
awww .. so sweet Bill . . you're like a regular guy .. refreshing
Do you both compete that who will read the book first and remember more in detail 😀
I agree, Ann. To me the Count was by far the best man to become head waiter and gladly accepted the portion rather than being forced into it. Plus, he was charming.
Great review, Bill.
Don't you think the fantastical elements of the story, as well as the overly embellished details, takes away from the horrors and struggles that are happening outside of the Hotel Metropol during the period it is written about?
Knowing the history of the time (as you mention you do and are interested in), isn't it hard to ignore the impact of the totalitarian regime on the regular people in the Soviet Union during this time?
Thanks a lot for the review! I’m reading it just because you recommended!
In lieu of reading this book for my Monday evening book club, decided to read some of the reviews. Maybe I'm star struck but BILL GATES?! I loved his review and it gave me a good sense of what the book is about. Thanks!
Absolutely loved stumbling upon this. I’ve been debating for awhile what my next read should be (take a look at my list, so many potential gems in there), but this wonderfully written review from Bill Gates himself cemented the fact that A Gentleman in Moscow would be my next read.
So thanks Bill!
I’m wondering which books you have given a 5 star review, if not this one? Are there any?
I am reading this marvelous book right now and I love it :)
Just finished A Gentleman in Moscow, and am reading through the reviews...this is a habit of mine, as it helps ease the pain of having to say goodbye to all the characters I have become so close to and will be thinking about and missing for days or weeks...until I pick up my next book. What a cool surprise to see that you, and your wife Melinda, read the same book as me. Now I have to check to see what other books you’ve read. Thanks for being “a regular guy” on here, and taking the time to share your review with others. All the smart people read ;)
A most wonderful review, Bill.
This delightful book had me dancing the Kalinka with mille-feuille in hand!
You had me at "... so I just had to wait until she caught up to me. " 💗
Yo that book was boring as shit no offence
Great review and I agree, so did OH as we read it one after the other.
Wonderful review, thank you, Bill! I put it on my list to read next year. I've been fortunate enough too to stay in this hotel for a week. And as you said so correctly to survive the revolution and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union is a lot of history for one building.
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Chris
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May 20, 2019 10:48AM
One of my favorite reads of last year. It was such a surprise!
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I very much loved this read. Tonight our brewery book club will be discussing this and I cannot wait to see what the others thought.
I am reading it now, in a "bookclub-of-two" with one of my students and we are both enjoying it.
Thanks for the great review Bill. Now I want to read it. Will add to my list.
An easy to read review. I am still cautious about picking it up to read.
I've had this on my TBR list for ages. Maybe I need to bump it up to the top. I'm hearing/reading a lot of good things about it.
Fabulous read. I loved this book and yet couldn't get into his Rules of Civility despite trying twice.
I didn't know the author had written a newer title.
Been meaning to read this for ages - just reserved it at my library! :)
Thanks for the review. I plan to read this book.
Had this on my reading list, now I can't wait!
It is an extremely well written book. I throughly enjoyed reading it
I had wondered if Bill and Melinda did a buddy read!
I have been following your reviews and they are personal and comprehensive, really impressed and inspired that you are taking the time to write them down - thank you for leading by example.
I loved your review Mr Gates. And I loved this book as well. Your points about characterization are spot on! The Count WAS charming and eccentric and Towles added clever touches to make him feel so real. I have never been lucky enough to see the Metropol in person but the descriptions made me feel as if I had. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful review.
I just finished Rules of Civility! I'll have to add this to my TBR pile. Thank you for the lovely review Mr. Gates :)
I went through a period of only reading 19th Century Russian literature so it has a familiar yet more accessible feel. The Count is now one of my favorite characters. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
A wonderful; review. This line in particular sums up Count Rostov so well: "The Count should be an insufferable character, but the whole thing works because he’s so charming."
One comment of yours puzzled me though - you refer to his "being forced" to become a waiter. I did not get the impression that the Count had been forced to do this. As far as I can see - on my second reading of the book now - there is no explanation of how he suddenly becomes head waiter.
I had imagined that when the position became vacant - by virtue of his nemesis's promotion (once again) - Emile and Andrey had urged the Count to take over, feeling he was the best man for the job. And that, as he had in fact not much else to do, and he loved food and wine and the finer points of upscale dining so much - he took it on.
However, in now considering the idea of his being forced into the role, I can also imagine how that could have happened: that self-same nemesis declaring that since the Count considered himself such the expert, he must now serve as Head Waiter. The nemesis would no doubt think this a punishment, yet it certainly was not!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and also felt like the Count was an old friend by the end of it. The writing is beautiful, as is the plot and character development!
Many thanks for the review. It really is a great novel
Fatto di tutto per non è più grande successo e il mio primo cittadino che si sono fatti di un po'ke mi utenti che just ogni lunedì
awww .. so sweet Bill . . you're like a regular guy .. refreshing
Do you both compete that who will read the book first and remember more in detail 😀
I agree, Ann. To me the Count was by far the best man to become head waiter and gladly accepted the portion rather than being forced into it. Plus, he was charming.Great review, Bill.
Don't you think the fantastical elements of the story, as well as the overly embellished details, takes away from the horrors and struggles that are happening outside of the Hotel Metropol during the period it is written about?Knowing the history of the time (as you mention you do and are interested in), isn't it hard to ignore the impact of the totalitarian regime on the regular people in the Soviet Union during this time?
Thanks a lot for the review! I’m reading it just because you recommended!
In lieu of reading this book for my Monday evening book club, decided to read some of the reviews. Maybe I'm star struck but BILL GATES?! I loved his review and it gave me a good sense of what the book is about. Thanks!
Absolutely loved stumbling upon this. I’ve been debating for awhile what my next read should be (take a look at my list, so many potential gems in there), but this wonderfully written review from Bill Gates himself cemented the fact that A Gentleman in Moscow would be my next read.So thanks Bill!
I’m wondering which books you have given a 5 star review, if not this one? Are there any?
I am reading this marvelous book right now and I love it :)
Just finished A Gentleman in Moscow, and am reading through the reviews...this is a habit of mine, as it helps ease the pain of having to say goodbye to all the characters I have become so close to and will be thinking about and missing for days or weeks...until I pick up my next book. What a cool surprise to see that you, and your wife Melinda, read the same book as me. Now I have to check to see what other books you’ve read. Thanks for being “a regular guy” on here, and taking the time to share your review with others. All the smart people read ;)
A most wonderful review, Bill.This delightful book had me dancing the Kalinka with mille-feuille in hand!
You had me at "... so I just had to wait until she caught up to me. " 💗
Yo that book was boring as shit no offence
Great review and I agree, so did OH as we read it one after the other.
Wonderful review, thank you, Bill! I put it on my list to read next year. I've been fortunate enough too to stay in this hotel for a week. And as you said so correctly to survive the revolution and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union is a lot of history for one building.
