A Gentleman in Moscow- Jan 2018 Group Read

[Josen]

I'm listening to this book and really enjoying it! I listen to it on my commute and it has 14 discs. I'm on disc 5 and for a while now I've been debating whether to stop listening and read the physical book. I absorb books better when reading the physical copies and because this is so good I don't want to miss out on anything. I think it's beautifully written and I really love his friendship with Nina.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Josen wrote: "I'm listening to this book and really enjoying it! I listen to it on my commute and it has 14 discs. I'm on disc 5 and for a while now I've been debating whether to stop listening and read the phys..."

It's a delicious book, Josen! I don't listen to audio books, so I can't really advise, but I think it's quite possible you'd enjoy reading it even after listening. So much of it is mood and character rather than mysterious plot, that I'd imagine you would notice different things.

Some books translate to film well and you can enjoy both, but it would be good if another reader would comment on whether this is true for audio and printed books.

[Leslie]

Josen wrote: "I'm listening to this book and really enjoying it! I listen to it on my commute and it has 14 discs. I'm on disc 5 and for a while now I've been debating whether to stop listening and read the phys..."

I also absorb books better (and faster) when I read rather than listen so I can understand your dilemma! Can you get a print copy from your library without too long a wait? If so, maybe you should switch. But if not, I would say continue on with the audiobook and as PattyMacDotComma said, you can always read the print book later. If you really are loving it, that might be a good "excuse" to reread it!

[Josen]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Josen wrote: "I'm listening to this book and really enjoying it! I listen to it on my commute and it has 14 discs. I'm on disc 5 and for a while now I've been debating whether to stop listening and..."

I do like when it's a good narrator because sometimes they can be pretty good at adding to the character with their voices. And then sometimes it's just off. Lol! I will say this narrator is good though.

[Josen]

Leslie wrote: "Josen wrote: "I'm listening to this book and really enjoying it! I listen to it on my commute and it has 14 discs. I'm on disc 5 and for a while now I've been debating whether to stop listening and..."

Here's the funny thing, I did have a print copy to begin with but when I found out one of my libraries had the audio I decided to go with that. Now I just have to get it back. Lol! I did think about continuing with the audio for now but I'm not one that rereads books so I don't want to get too far in. I tried rereading a book only one time and I found myself so distracted because I knew what was going to happen. (and yet I watch movies 50 times over, lol!) So I think I will recheck out the book this weekend. :)

[Alannah]

This book seems to be taking me a while to get through, not that it's boring but it is one that requires my full attention at the minute and I haven't been able to do that for a while.

[Leslie]

Alannah wrote: "This book seems to be taking me a while to get through, not that it's boring but it is one that requires my full attention at the minute and I haven't been able to do that for a while."

I found that it took more concentration in the first ~third. In any case, we will be here whenever you get to it!

[Pam]

I finally got the audiobook downloaded from my library hold so I’ve been listening to it since Match 1. I’m still waiting on the e-book edition, so I can switch over. I listen to the audio while walking my dog but it’s not enough time. I still have 15 hours to go! The narration is really good but I prefer reading over listening or a combo of the two.

I loved the part when the Count was talking about duels (jewels, as the narrator pronounces it) with the girl over lunch. Petty funny! Looking forward to the rest of the book. I’ve seen so many positive comments about it.

[Josen]

Pam wrote: "I finally got the audiobook downloaded from my library hold so I’ve been listening to it since Match 1. I’m still waiting on the e-book edition, so I can switch over. I listen to the audio while wa..."

I was also listening to it but from audio CD. I probably got about 30% but I stopped listening to it because I found I was really loving it and I absorb so much better when reading it. I'll probably end up buying the book and starting over.

[Shirley]

I'm back to reading this again, having had a break. Looks like many of you enjoyed it, so looking forward to getting back into it.

[[deleted user]]

I hope you enjoy it, Shirley. I feel like most people do enjoy the book if they are in the right mood for it

[Pam]

I gave up on the audiobook and finally have the ebook, which I started from the beginning. I had completely missed the first few chapters! I’m about 1/2 way through. I love the author’s writing style, especially his use of personification and the historical details. I find myself looking up names, places, and words to learn more.

I’m not much of a cook but I feel like making something with fennel and finding a recipe for Latvian stew! The food discussions definitely add something to the story, in my opinion. Being confined for life in this hotel, you might as well enjoy what you can (food and drink, in this case).

I just saw that they are adapting the book into a tv series starring Kenneth Branagh. I’d like to see it but I think the charming parts of the book, related to the writing, may be lost in the adaptation.

[Josen]

Pam wrote: "I gave up on the audiobook and finally have the ebook, which I started from the beginning. I had completely missed the first few chapters! I’m about 1/2 way through. I love the author’s writing sty..."

Oh wow are they really? I'm going to have to keep my eye out for that. I started the audio but parts kept skipping and I didn't want to miss out on anything so I decided I'll read the book. I still have yet to pick it back up. But it is really good! I'll have to get back to it this month.

[[deleted user]]

That sounds like a film I will want to see! I hope they manage to keep the spirit of this book.

[Leslie]

Heather wrote: "That sounds like a film I will want to see! I hope they manage to keep the spirit of this book."

With a good director, it seems to me that this is a book that would adapt well to film. But I am not sure that Kenneth Branagh fits my image of Rostov... but Branagh is a good actor so perhaps he can pull it off.

[Carly]

I did this book on audio and thoroughly enjoyed it. There's something of everything ... even in serious scenes, you can see the humour.