Happy 2025 everyone!
It took me quite some time, but I finally finished A Gentleman in Moscow. I started reading it before Christmas (and was enjoying it) but got derailed during the holidays and had a hard time getting back to it. But I still managed to finish it; it is now the first book I finished of 2025. :)
A Gentleman in Moscow tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov who is sentenced to house arrest inside the Metropol hotel after the Bolshevik revolution. My mom and I kept joking (she has read it as well) that it's hard to believe it's a good book based on the premise. But it honestly is. Very well written and interesting.
A Gentleman in Moscow is a surprisingly sweeping tale, starting in the 1920's and ending in the 1950's. During that time, Count Rostov must remain in the Metropol or be shot. While the Count has never worked a day in his life, he makes the most of his circumstances, forming great friendships with the staff and eventually becoming head waiter at the hotel's restaurant. But his life changes when he is charged with the care of a young girl, the daughter of a friend. As with all things in his life, the Count rises to the occasion, becoming the father figure she needs, and willing to protect her from everything.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are all so interesting and unique, and the narrative kept surprising me - while events seemed inevitable, I never really saw them coming. As I already mentioned, it's also very well written, with great descriptions and flow. I found myself always rooting for Count Rostov and his friends (and always disheartened whenever the Bishop wormed his way into things).
My biggest complaint while reading A Gentleman in Moscow was entirely my fault. Because I kept having to put the book down for extended periods of time, I kept forgetting who some of the characters were, in particular the characters who didn't work at the hotel. So I'd have to flip back a ways to figure out who this returning person might be. I doubt I would have had that issue had I been able to read the book in a more timely fashion. But I do wish there had been a list of characters to help me keep track of everyone!
All in all, this was a surprising yet wonderful read. I very heartily recommend it. :)