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A Gentleman In Moscow Discussion Spoilers
I am listening to the audio book. What a treat. I like the feeling of being immersed in the story. Towels has not disappointed in his details of the early 20th century Russia. I will see how the historical aspect is handle. Does anyone find the vivid description of life not to be valid.? I do find it a little disturbing that any aristocrat was spared during the Purge.
Carol wrote: "I am so sorry guys. I thought I was doing The Underground Railroad. Please feel free to start the discussion. I haven't even read the book yet. My face is so red right now.I like Towles other bo..."
That's all right, Carol. One time, years ago, I nominated a book that won, and I never DID read it.
I found the description of life in the hotel very believable, but what do I know? Towles certainly had the life in a grand hotel down pat. I think he says somewhere that hotels all over the world are similar, so he that to go on. You wondered at an aristocrat surviving the Purge. I guess the Bolsheviks thought that he would be punished enough under house arrest. What I loved about the book was that he was so flexible in his life. The book was very constrained within the hotel, but not constrained by plot. I was very surprised at some of the things that happened--in a good way.
I hope you will elaborate later on the good things. I am in the early stages of reading, but I was ,need I say ,enchanted with the description of life in a luxury hotel. From what I am gathering, he seen a lot by being an onlooker rather than a participant in the realities surrounding him. I am curious about his relationship with the Greek. Is the Greek his ears and eyes to the outside world? Or is the hotel staff his link to events unfolding around him? I don't know that I could live like that, but he does have Montaigne to sustain him.
I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? I think the poem helped keep Rostov alive.In any case, this story is mostly a beautiful fantasy of gorgeous writing. The plot line a McGuffin. I have been thrilled with the Goodreads feature of quotes so I can go back and enjoyed certain passages over again.
Here is a link to a delightful interview video of Towles with a Wall Street Journal reporter at the Russian Tea Room.
http://tinyurl.com/lorr7wl
Thanks for the link Sylvia, I will return to it the farther I get along.
Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? ..."Carol wrote: "Thanks for the link Sylvia, I will return to it the farther I get along."
I look forward to viewing this evening!
Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? ..."Sylvia, I don't know the answer to that question, but I was really struck by the fact that the poem was attributed to him, and he could have been shot for it, but instead spent the next 40+ years in house arrest - granted, in a luxury hotel, but still very confined. And meanwhile his friend, the poet, comes and goes at will (but not that often, frankly), and there seems to be no resentment about that. Only once Mischka is dead does Rostov plan to escape the hotel and lead his own life. What lengths he went to in order to protect his friend. And is this an added meaning to "gentleman"?
I was also surprised that he was allowed to keep and raise Sofia - that seemed to me one of the areas that strained credulity a bit. I enjoyed the book immensely and thought the writing was beautiful and seemed to capture the Russian spirit - but certain parts of it were a bit too neat.
Amy wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actu..."The poem was actually rather favoring the revolution as I understand it, and he was put in "comfortable" house arrest at first at the hotel. Then the tribunal called him back for a rehearing and he was judged an unrepentant aristocrat and sent to less charming lodgings..
Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? ..."~ ahh, truly a wistful 'wish i was there' moment - interview w Towles in the iconic Russian Tea Room
I am not very far into the story, but I am really enjoying the dry humor, it gives me a handle on who Rostov is.
I listened to the novel first - pretty well done, but for some reason I felt I wasn't really getting it. Now reading it with my eyes, and I am treasuring every word. I am one of those that lets my mind wander when listening, but I have heard two other friends say they first listened to the audio and then went back and read the book with their eyes with great reward.
This was one of my favorite reads for the last few years. I liked the nod to Tolstoy's grand story of a life, and the rejection of the idea that humans cannot adapt and find joy. As someone who lives in hotels (sometimes quite grand), the relationships he made resonated. His appreciations of little moments, and the adventures he found to avoid loneliness.His essential character never changed, which felt real to me. But most of all?
I loved Towles' description of his passionate love of food and wine, and how that followed him on the twists and turns of his life. The description of the wine cellar is one of favorites.
I found it masterful and joyful and a keen insight in what it means to find joy.
I found the book charming, and loved the character of the Count. Courtney's observation, that the book is a "nod to Tolstoy's grand story of a life, and the rejection of the idea that humans cannot adapt and find joy." seems accurate. It's so interesting that we are reading this right after having read The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra. The choreography of that book was astonishing to me...and the horror of life in Siberia and Chechnya was made bearable by the author's knack for dark humor and exquisite sentences. A Gentleman in Moscow felt like thin gruel to me after reading Love and Techno. Once I stopped comparing, I did become charmed. That sense of appreciating the life he is given is well told. I enjoyed the characters although they aren't always three dimensional. The "Bishop" is evil. The Count is a gentleman through and through, even his abduction of the Bishop is gentlemanly. Plausibility is strained, but that makes for an satisfying story. It didn't break my heart the way Love and Techno did...Oh, my, I'm still comparing. But I'm glad I read it.What do people think about the ending?
Courtney wrote: "This was one of my favorite reads for the last few years. I liked the nod to Tolstoy's grand story of a life, and the rejection of the idea that humans cannot adapt and find joy. As someone who liv..." To your point about his enjoyment of food and wine and descriptions of tastes...here is a favorite passage:“Dutifully, the Count put the spoon in his mouth. In an instant, there was the familiar sweetness of fresh honey---sunlit, golden, and gay. Given the time of year, the Count was expecting this first impression to be followed by a hint of lilacs from the Alexander Gardens or cherry blossoms from the Garden Ring. But as the elixir dissolved on his tongue, the Count became aware of something else entirely. Rather than the flowering trees of Central Moscow, the honey had a hint of a grassy riverbank.....the trace of a summer breeze......a suggestion of a pergola.....But most of all there was the unmistakable essence of a thousand apple trees in bloom.
"Nizhny Novgorod", he said.
And it was.”
I'm still #26 of 37 in holds for this one at the library..., so appreciate comments here that seem to indicate that it's worth waiting for and reading when I can!
I was really looking forward to this one, but now I'm only about a third of the way in, and stalled. I would have loved this when I was in my teens and twenties when I was all into Noel Coward. Now I find that my appetitie for this kind of fey, archly sophisticated self-conscious writing seems to have fled. Tell, me, doesn't anything significant ever happen? Should I soldier on?
I'm 80% through according to my kindle and am really enjoying the book very much. I really like Towles' style first of all. I enjoy the Count in all his archness, and pettiness, shrewdness, and kindness. He prides himself in being a gentleman no matter what his circumstance. As I am nearing the end of the book, I am now seeing him as sort of a Russian "everyman", albeit a sort of defrocked aristocrat, who becomes our eyes on what happens in Moscow from the 1920s to the 1960s and therefore reflects much of Russian history during that time through the small world of the Metropol Hotel. He perhaps knows more than most but we do know that he had traveled earlier in his life, well beyond Russia. He was educated and cultured. He could fit himself into different social fittings. So, while the premise is not realistic in one sense, it didn't bother me in the least while reading for the characters were interesting.
I wonder about the sometimes one-sided characters. Many of them were those more devoted to the State. I'm thinking of the Bishop in particular here. While others seemed one dimensional at times, Towles then would throw in a scene about their family or past to fill in a back story. Here I'm thinking of the other members of the kitchen triumvirate.
Well I should finish tomorrow. I'm very glad to be reading this. I did love the Tsar of Love and Techno but for me these 2 books are completely different genre. Any comparison is difficult so I will judge each on what I find as their own merits.
Sylvia wrote: "Courtney wrote: "This was one of my favorite reads for the last few years. I liked the nod to Tolstoy's grand story of a life, and the rejection of the idea that humans cannot adapt and find joy. A..."One of my favorite moments in the book, Sylvia. Almost a touch of magical realism.
Ruth wrote: "I was really looking forward to this one, but now I'm only about a third of the way in, and stalled. I would have loved this when I was in my teens and twenties when I was all into Noel Coward. Now..."Ruth, it depends on what your idea of "significant" is. You read Love and Techno, as I recall. This book is a polar opposite. I doubt you'd find the events important enough if you're not yet charmed by the book's description of characters and the hotel and the food.
I was charmed for a while, but then it began to pall. Too much of a muchness, as my grandmother used to say.
I totally understand, although when I got caught and let go of comparing it to Love and Techno, I did enjoy it.
This novel is a charming fantasy for people who like poetry and words that evoke the senses of taste, smell, sight, etc. From one reviewer Ken who wrote:"A Gentleman in Moscow is a charming book.
How many contemporary books can you say that of? "Charming" is a loaded word if ever there was one. Some people hear it and get the warm fuzzies. Others hear it and their guard goes up. Their Pollyanna shield, their corny protector, their, "Really? In this day and age?"
Sylvia, yes it is charming. Is it forbidden these days to be charming, I wonder. I hope not. Thanks for quoting that review. I'm nearly finished reading this and I know I will miss reading it.
Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? ..."I was just going to post that interview - I loved listening to him talk about the book and also about the comparison of AGIM and Rules of Civility. I don't have an answer about why he published the poem.
Pamela wrote: "I listened to the novel first - pretty well done, but for some reason I felt I wasn't really getting it. Now reading it with my eyes, and I am treasuring every word. I am one of those that lets my ..."I read this in print in October and am now listening to remind myself of it. I LOVED it first time around and even more so now. I have thought that I would not have appreciated it quite as much if I had started with the audio. Either way - it's fabulous (IMO).
I'm enjoying everyone's thoughts about a book I loved. As I said in my review, The Count was a huge literary crush for me. The thing in particular I loved was how he had a life philosophy and he did not let the limitation imposed by his sentence to spend the rest of his life in a hotel stop him from living life to the fullest. Early on, he decided that what would get him through this was a focus on "the practicalities". From my review:The Count’s world changed dramatically on that June day in 1922, but his desire to live, enjoy life and to be free remains through the span of these 32 years.
I love Towle's writing and how he fills in the back story for Rostov and others in reminiscences. While Rostov looks back fondly on his own life, focusing mostly on the present and how to not let his circumstances defeat him and how he can uplift others.
Like Courtney, I especially enjoyed the food/wine aspect of the book. I just finished a passage (listening for my reread) in The Piazza where a young couple ordered Latvian Stew to be followed by a recommendation of a Rioja by The Bishop. The rant Rostov goes through in his head about what the Rioja would do to the meal tickled me. When he recommended a different wine, he saved the couple's meal, perhaps their chances at a relationship and created a bond with them. So much about The Count represented in that one scene.
Suzy wrote: "I'm enjoying everyone's thoughts about a book I loved. As I said in my review, The Count was a huge literary crush for me. The thing in particular I loved was how he had a life philosophy and he di..."On his website, amortowles.com he posts a recipe for that stew!
Sylvia wrote: "Suzy wrote: "I'm enjoying everyone's thoughts about a book I loved. As I said in my review, The Count was a huge literary crush for me. The thing in particular I loved was how he had a life philoso..."I couldn't find it on his website, but discovered it on a new-to-me site Book Club Cookbook. So it's a twofer - the recipe and a great place to find recipes from books. :)
For anyone else interested, here's the recipe for Latvian Stew, including the story of how it came to be in the book.
http://bookclubcookbook.com/gentleman...
I've now finished the novel. For me it still seems to have elements of the fable and the magical. Rostov is the man who watches the world go by and is our eyes on those formative years of Russian history from the center of Moscow. And though the Metropol was a grand hotel, its changing clientele and internal changes (people, furnishings, etc) all reflected the changes going on in the outside world. There's the Party congress, the influx of jazz and foreigners including press. A major hotel might see some things sooner than others.
I have a question: did the book indicate why the Count started working in the restaurant? It seemed to me that suddenly he was overseeing the service and there was no overt explanation of why he decided to do that. Did I miss something?
I think he was bored and it was a way to be involved in the hotel. That was one of the nice "surprises" that the book had for me. Elsewhere someone noted the food and wine descriptions. My husband and I love wine, drink and collect it, and when I found out that the Bishop had all the bottles stripped of their labels, because he was trying to be equalize them, I groaned. The Count was also appalled at that, and maybe he took over the Bishop's job when the Bishop was promoted, because he wanted to give the food and the wine the care it deserved.
Chris wrote: "Featuring Nabokovian elegance with none of his pedantry, A Gentleman in Moscow charms with its aristocratic prose and memorable characters. Alexander Rostov possesses the refinement..."I too noticed the Nabokovian elements of this novel! From the Amortowles.com website:
" Can you comment on the structure of the book?
As you may have noted, the book has a somewhat unusual structure. From the day of the Count’s house arrest, 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. At this midpoint, a halving principal is initiated with the narrative leaping to eight years until the Count’s escape, four years until, two years, one year, six months, three months, six weeks, three weeks, ten days, five days, two days, one day and finally, the turn of the revolving door.
While odd, this accordion structure seems to suit the story well, as we get a very granular description of the early days of confinement; then we leap across time through eras defined by career, parenthood, and changes in the political landscape; and finally, we get a reversion to urgent granularity as we approach the denouement. As an aside, I think this is very true to life, in that we remember so many events of a single year in our early adulthood, but then suddenly remember an entire decade as a phase of our career or of our lives as parents."
Another facet was the heading of each chapter with the letter "A".
Pamela wrote: "I have a question: did the book indicate why the Count started working in the restaurant? It seemed to me that suddenly he was overseeing the service and there was no overt explanation of why he de..."Pamela, I think that the Count started working in the restaurant because he had run out of money. When the book opened, he had a stash of coins, but that disappeared over time.
I read this book in November, and I finished Love & Techno this month, so my response to AGIM was formed without reference to the Marra book. I liked but didn't love the Towles book, mainly because the premise seemed so unrealistic. Did anyone in the early Soviet days get such a slap on the wrist as house arrest in a stately, grand hotel? Maybe Towles knows something about the history of this kind of punishment, but if he does, he doesn't say anything in his author's notes. My guess is that it is a fable, as Sue says. Towles wants the reader to go along with this premise, but I confess that I struggled with my cognitive dissonance.
In her introduction to our discussion on Love & Techno, Ann gives a great historical perspective on Russia. It's worth a look.
The Count didn't work for money; in fact he still had his stash at the end when he divided it among those he cared for. I may be making this up out of whole cloth, but was Rostov told he needed to work by the Party? Also, from the introductory section, it seemed that, as the (supposed) author of a nationally known patriotic poem, it might be better for the State to keep him alive, even as a Former Person. Perhaps they thought that confining an aristocrat to 100 feet of living space would ultimately do their job for them, that he wouldn't last.They might have found it a perverse joke.
As for the wine bottles, I know that I have heard about that happening in The Soviet Union. Not sure where or when, but I knew of that. Can you imagine living in a country where everything you do, say, read, wear, etc is noted and reported, possibly by someone close to you.
Sylvia wrote: "Chris wrote: "Featuring Nabokovian elegance with none of his pedantry, A Gentleman in Moscow charms with its aristocratic prose and memorable characters. Alexander Rostov possesses ..."I have only managed a few chapters so far, but thank you, this is fascinating information and now I will be able to factor it in while I'm reading it.
Pamela wrote: "I have a question: did the book indicate why the Count started working in the restaurant? It seemed to me that suddenly he was overseeing the service and there was no overt explanation of why he de..."He started working at the hotel immediately after he decided not to kill himself. I saw it as (1) a new, deeper level of accepting practicalities and adapting to new circumstances while at the same time (2) playing the same role he would have played as an aristocrat in the free world, pre-Revolution. The role of head waiter in this restaurant was about providing impeccable service to guests by paying attention to every small detail, not just of the current dinner service but also the lives of the guests. This is exactly what he was groomed to do by his grandmother ever since he was a small boy.
Greenegirl wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I have a question: did the book indicate why the Count started working in the restaurant? It seemed to me that suddenly he was overseeing the service and there was no overt explanati..."Thanks, I'd forgotten that detail. So it was an inner compulsion to do this not external. And it does fit so well with his upbringing.
Greenegirl wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I have a question: did the book indicate why the Count started working in the restaurant? It seemed to me that suddenly he was overseeing the service and there was no overt explanati..."That hadn't occurred to me, and it makes perfect sense. Thanks, Karen.
This discussion reminds me that we really don't get too much exposure to the Count's inner thoughts. We hear nothing about why he wanted to commit suicide - right? Just read about his preparations. Same with the waiter job!
I have enjoyed the conversation about his turning to table service. @greengirl, I think you're onto something. The book had a strangely zen vibe. For me, the whole book was about adapting to his life and enriching it as it was. Living large though his circumstances had been shrunk. And not living large because he has means...but because he believes in the beauty of perfection. Of form. Of manners. Of food and wine. I keep waiting for some indie director to make this...or is it happening and i've missed it?
Pamela, I agree. This could be quite a film in the right hands.
I am finding I treasure this book just because as Pamela points out that it is about adapting to one's circumstances and finding enrichment with them. I borrowed the audio and the kindle version and am going to recommend to my local bookclub. For that read, I think I will actually buy a copy of the book and read it another time - very rare for me!
That he adapted to his circumstances, while being true to his principles and life philosophy is the thing that appealed most to me about this book. We all face limitations in life, and how to live fully within limitations is a question we might have to ask ourselves at various points in our lives. Perhaps this struck me because when I read this I had just emerged from 1 1/2 years of limitations imposed by a health issue, making The Count's story resonate.
Suzy, I agree. I hadn't thought consciously about any comparisons to my own life but I definitely see them now you mention it. Probably most of us have had to make major to minor adjustments for various reasons in our way of living. And we have dealt with this in different ways. The Count was primarily gracious and accepting (except of the Bishop) and met everyone where they were in their lives. Of course the Bishop broke all rules by lacking respect for others.
I agree, Sue, but he was even gentlemanly towards the Bishop because he didn't kill him, he simply tied him up where he would eventually be found. There is a gentleness about this book, and acceptance of circumstance. I guess right now, I'm feeling a bit less Zen than usual. The political climate is so painful for so many people right now. I guess my true colors as a Westerner are showing. Working for change is my current agenda.
Jane, I agree he did act as a gentleman...that was so consistent with the man we have come to know.As for our current world, I believe there has to be an element of Zen in working for what you identify as good. Especially when you are working for this good not only for yourself but for others, the environment, the children who need health and education, for the earth and the very air we breathe. There is a certain piece in this, I believe (though some days that peace is mightily challenged).
Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actually wrote it? ..."He thought that poem needed to be published but it wasn't safe for his friend to do it, so he put his name on it.
Tony wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I have loved reading this book and find it hard to detach myself and read something new. My question to readers: Why did Rostov publish the poem and not his socialist friend who actu..."And he noted later in life the irony that the poem actually kept him alive while his friend suffered so much.
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Books mentioned in this topic
A Gentleman in Moscow (other topics)A Gentleman in Moscow (other topics)
Rules of Civility (other topics)
A Gentleman in Moscow (other topics)
A Gentleman in Moscow (other topics)
I like Towles other books so I am looking forward to try and play catchup.