A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

On Monday, April 2nd, the Booked for the Day Book Group met to discuss, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.  Here are a few things we discussed during the meeting:

• Some members were a bit reluctant to read this book and thought it was slow going at first but everyone who did read it, really loved it.
• The theme throughout the book pertains to the Duke’s advice to try to master your circumstances, “if a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them.” The count avoided bitterness by using his skills and his wits and we thought he handled his situation with humor and grace.
• The group thought the Count was surrounded by a cast of well-developed characters that we all loved. The interactions of his hotel friends were funny and charming.
• The very creative plot (being confined to a hotel for the rest of your life) held our interest and the story of the history of Russia during the Bolshevic revolution is done in a manner that gave us a better perspective as to what went on during that time period. One of our members who is a history buff said it was a true picture of Russia’s history. We also liked how the author weaved Russian literary history into the story as well.
• We thought the book was suspenseful and with the intrigue that went on throughout the book, it definitely held our interest.
• There were so many insightful moments in this story. When the count finds the roof and Nina gives him the key, opening his world a little farther. We liked how the author weaved Casablanca into the ending. We all assumed that the unnamed Kremlin official at the end, quoting Casablanca as he inwardly smiles at the Count's escape and doesn't do anything much to attempt to track him down, was Osip.
• We all hope that one day it will be made into a film (and who will play the Count?).
• A new member dropped in who came because he read and loved the book. He added much to our discussion.  He ate at the Metropol, lived in Siberia in the 70s while doing research, and attended several ballets and concerts while in Moscow. He gave us some valuable insights into Russian life during that time period and the group agreed that we would have loved to hear more.

These are just a few things mentioned during the discussion. Please feel free to add any of your thoughts in the comment section.