I found the first third sort of twee, and the Count two-dimensional, but I agree that Sofia’s involvement changes everything and gives the book momentum and purpose. I loved it. Picked up Rules of Civility right afterwards. Also wonderful. Towles is now a favorite author.

How does it compare to Gentleman in Moscow? Better?

I’m getting John Irving vibes. Like Owen Meany was a masterpiece and his rest were just ok.

RoC is similarly structured but set in NYC in the late 20s, 30s, with bits of the late 60s. It’s more intense, more compelling to a broader audience. More immediately tragic. Thought GiM took the core tragedy of Russians in that era too lightly and nobility’s losses too significantly. Rules of Civility is very satisfying literature. His best that I’ve read of his books. I can see Irving’s sweep in Towles’ novels. I’m having trouble with his latest, Lincoln Highway. I can’t find a way in, so I set it aside for now.

I loved Gentleman in Moscow. After avoiding it because of its popularity, I finally read it last month. (actually listened to it) I found it a near perfect book. Writing is excellent, story compelling and I loved the characters. I will read anything Amor Towles writes.

I was slightly skeptical about American writing a book set in this time and era but the book was ok. I did not quite understand the hype around it as it was nothing special and I felt that the author did not utilize the era properly. There are flashes here and there of the atrocities of what the boshelviks were doing to people but I still missed a a bit depth relating to this story. For me it was nice read but definitely not a book I will be re-reading.

Yea agree. I stopped Irving after Window for a Year. But thanks for the recommendation. I’ll pick up RoC 👍

I read it more as what Russia lost during all the changes in the early 20th century. That and just a good story.

I have enjoyed Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway. I have Rules of Civility on my shelf queued up. There are a very few anomalies in the "Gentleman" but I could live with them accepting them as artistic license.

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I read this with my book club last summer. I didn't care for it but everyone else in the group liked it.

I loved the Lincoln Highway. Try it too.

I have not yet read A Gentleman in Moscow, but I did read the authors The Lincoln Highway, which I thought was okay but not amazing. I still intend to get to Gentleman at some point.

I absolutely adored Blacktop Wasteland. I thought it was better than Razorblade Tears, which is still a good book.

I also listened to the audio book and I loved it. I enjoyed the narration as well.

Been on my to read pile since the day it came out. Still there. Someday...

You should read rules of civility I liked it even better than GIM

I was wondering about that. I read the Lincoln Highway first. Now I will read rules of civilty. thanks for the recommendation