A Gentleman in Moscow – My Description
A Gentleman in Moscow was our March Bookclub selection. It starts in the 1920s telling the story a Russian Aristocrat caught in the upheavel of the communist revolution. Yet, describing it in such bare terms does not due it justice. Here’s why:
A Gentleman in Moscow is these things:
- Beautifully written – you get lost in the language almost immediately. So much so, that I used the dictionary feature on my Kindle at least six times. Furthermore, I believe the imagery of so many moments will stay with me for a very long time.
- It’s Purposeful – I’m hard-pressed to think of any actions conducted, thoughts shared, character descriptions that do not further the story.
- The story is deliberate. You live with Count Rostov for the better part of his life. Things that shouldn’t be rushed, aren’t. Things that aren’t necessary to his story are skipped with skill.
- Inspiring – reading Count Rostov’s story makes me want to try my hand at Anna Karrinina or War and Peace. Not to mention feeling the strong need to re-watch Casablanca. If you read this book, you’ll undertand.
I’m sure there’s more and as I chew this story over in my head today, I may come back and update that list.
A Gentleman in Moscow – My Thoughts
All of that said, I struggle with giving a top rating to A Gentleman in Moscow. In ways, yes, I did love it. I still can’t get over the language of it. I describe it as literature more than just fiction. And now, that I’m almost 24 hours from finishing it, I believe it might actually be a book that benefits from a second read. The plot was so intricate that I’m sure I missed subtle clues, foreshadowing and insights.
That said, I struggle with with giving a five-star rating because the book didn’t grab me. If it weren’t for my impending book club deadline, I might have given up or definitely read it much slower. Nothing in it pulled me to the couch to forego everything in order to read. Yet, as I sit here I’m thinking perhaps that would have been better for this story. Perhaps, it’s meant to sit and savor rather than having me plow through it. It’s not a quick cozy or action packed fantasy adventure and it shouldn’t be judged as such.
For me it’s definitely more than a four star (I really liked it) and perhaps just shy of a five star (I loved it) … but as I sit here and write, I know I’m going to go over to Goodreads and give it five stars.