A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

My dear friend Leslie sent me this book during our sequestering for the COVID-19 virus. She had just finished it and thought I might enjoy it. We had been talking on a walk(via airpods since she's in Laramie) and her description of it intrigued me. Well, from the opening page, I knew this book was going to be great! It was. Hooray!

It's so seldom, lately, that I find a book I adore This is one. As soon as I finished it, I began again from the first page so that I could pick up the little hints and red herrings the author had dropped along the way. My memory is such that I miss a lot from week to week, so it helped to just open it again. I had read it slowly because it is so beautifully written, so I would occasionally forget the characters. The second time through I also went slowly and just savored his use of language.

It was also interesting to notice the author's style. He frequently used the pattern of THREE...in his sentences, there were very often three things listed. I started noticing and marking that pattern, and then found them everywhere! Plus the number three was significant throughout the book... I probably didn't catch them all, but this author is so cryptic and intelligent that I know these were all purposeful. I enjoyed catching them. Plus, he uses alliteration and assonance CONSTANTLY! So fun to notice...

And his clues along the way--wrapped brown packages, unfinished thoughts, etc., show up again later. I loved following these threads like a mystery. And the main character, the "Gentleman" was such a fine person and the way he developed over the time span in the novel was beautiful. I loved his sense of humor, too.

It was interesting to read this particular story in the midst of quarantine from a pandemic! This main character is sequestered too, and couldn't leave the hotel because of his sentence to stay there. The political backdrop of the young USSR was fascinating to read about too.

I also enjoyed the way the author played with time...very short time spans, then expanded time spans in the middle, and again short time spans at the end. Very clever! And how about the fact that the climax of the book -- the unexpected return of a grown up Nina -- occurs at EXACTLY the middle of the book? So many amazing things this author did...plus all the chapter titles begin with "A" and fit the content perfectly.

Have I even mentioned the culinary delights beautifully described? Mouth-watering and discerning! And the sumptuous characterizations. Fabulously interesting and unexpected. Laugh-out-loud witty dialogue and shenanigans. And a completely fresh and beautifully rendered story. A great book on all counts. (Get it???) YES. I love this book and will savor it again soon. I think I need to send copies to Melissa and Sierra. If they enjoy it half as much as I did, it will be worth it!!!

February 2025

I just read this wonderful book again, because I wanted to be refreshed in my memory for our book club discussion last night. It was so gratifying that my women friends (except one) really loved this book too. And I made Latvian Stew and served it with brown bread from the Village Bakery; so yummy!!! The recipe for the stew I found on Amor Towles' website. It's a delicious pork, carrot, and carmelized onion stew, sweetened with dried apricots and prumes! Sooooo delicious, and I also added some baby potatoes.