Play Book Tag discussion

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. 4. 33. Read this book that has received so many favorable reviews as it was chosen as our f2f book club read November/December 2018. This could not be more perfect because not only does it tell me the history of Russia from the revolution to the fifties from a Russian's point of view, all from the Metropol Hotel, it also is full of wonderful descriptions of food and drink. A real gourmet of a read to feast on. I loved it far more than Rules of Civility. What great characters. What a story of country, people and politics

So interesting that you loved it far more than Rules. I was the opposite, but I can totally see why people strongly gravitate in one direction or other. They are very, very different. That being said, I thought this book was excellent. I confess that I saw Towles speak at the National Book Festival when he was promoting this book, and that was NOT so excellent . . .disappointing when an author you love isn't quite so great in person.

Anita wrote: "So interesting that you loved it far more than Rules. I was the opposite, but I can totally see why people strongly gravitate in one direction or other. They are very, very different. That being sa..."

Yes, I think it can be dangerous to meet authors. I tend to not really want to go out of my way to meet them because it could really color opinions about books.

Anita wrote: "So interesting that you loved it far more than Rules. I was the opposite, but I can totally see why people strongly gravitate in one direction or other. They are very, very different. That being sa..."

After I read this I wanted to reread Rules of Civility as I know everyone spoke so highly of it and perhaps I just was not in the right mood at the time for the book.

I loved Rules much more than this. I wonder if there’s anyone out there that loved them both equally.

While I liked Rules, I much preferred Gentleman.

I’m with Anna. Loved them both, but Gentelman has a special place in my heart.

Great review - I've added it to my wish list

I started this book and put it down because life became a little crazy with my son. I need to get back to it.

Thanks for the review! You've reminded me I need to check my library AGAIN.

I checked this out two years ago, was only able to read half of it before I had to return it and I have literally been on a 100+ waiting list for it ever since. So frustrating. I was really enjoying it too!

The library app has just delivered this book to me, so I now have to fit it in in December ... eek. At least it is great, so it shouldn’t be a chore to read :)

Anita wrote: "Towles speak at the National Book Festival when he was promoting this book, and that was NOT so excellent . . .disappointing when an author you love isn't quite so great in person...."

If I recall correctly, Towles spent years on Wall Street before becoming a writer. Investment banking does not necessarily give anyone a good foundation for speaking at literary events, LOL.

An attorney friend of mine has a terrible time speaking in public. You ask how she copes as a lawyer then - well she is basically in administrative law, working for NYS, and only has to talk to people one on one. Then she wrote a series of mysteries (long OOP at this point) and found herself having to go around to do readings and promotion and attend literary events and talk to groups of people. It was incredibly difficult for her and she never became very good at it. I think that's one of the reasons she actually stopped writing, unfortunately.

For the foodies - here's a link to Amor Towles' actual recipe for the Latvian Stew served to the young couple at the Metropole: https://www.facebook.com/AmorTowles/p.... If that does not work for some reason, just google Latvian Stew Amor Towles and you will find blog posts repeating it.

Oh, and a friend made it - and says it is fantastic and to make as written.

Theresa wrote: "For the foodies - here's a link to Amor Towles' actual recipe for the Latvian Stew served to the young couple at the Metropole: https://www.facebook.com/AmorTowles/p.... If that d..."

Theresa, you're my hero. I haven't finished the book (had to return it to the library) but I did get as far as the description of that stew. I've been wondering how to make it ever since, but the book has been on hold at my library for over a year since I returned it, and I was never able to go back to look at the description again. I was going to look it up, but I couldn't remember the description! It now seems obvious that I could have just googled the book and "recipes" to find it, but I didn't and you've made me so excited! I may make this for Christmas, as a present to myself. lol

LiteraryMania wrote: "Theresa wrote: "For the foodies - here's a link to Amor Towles' actual recipe for the Latvian Stew served to the young couple at the Metropole: https://www.facebook.com/AmorTowles/p......"

In truth, it never occurred to me to google it myself! A friend posted on FB about making it after finishing the book. She loved the book so much, and that stew was calling to her. She figured it had to be a real stew and googled, finding Towles' actual recipe and memories about it. She was adamant about following it exactly, no substitutions or second guessing. Her whole family loved it!

Might have to be one of my Christmas efforts. I made Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon one year -- not hard, just labor intensive and a long cook time - after the whole Julie/Julia movie/book came out. Oh was that delicious!

Theresa wrote: "For the foodies - here's a link to Amor Towles' actual recipe for the Latvian Stew served to the young couple at the Metropole: https://www.facebook.com/AmorTowles/p.... If that d..."

At our bookclub when we meet in December, the host is serving the Latvian stew and setting the table. She may even have her husband be the waiter. It should be a fantastic bookclub. It always is when she hosts.

Wow I wish we served food at my local bookclub. That sounds wonderful!

Ooh, I forgot all about this book. I started the CD version a while back, and it was delightful, but I had to return it to the library before I was done. (The large print and audio CDs are still waitlisted at my library.) My library book club raved about it. Thanks for the reminder. This could be good for my other f2f group.

Or a buddy read?

Loved this one! Hit all the notes for me.