Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy read for A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles starting on November 4, 2024.


Happy Reading!

Can't wait to join for this one!

I read this today! This was a reread for me, and there were definitely specific scenes and descriptions that had lingered in my mind... hearing them again was like revisiting old friends. I love how (view spoiler)[the MC somehow manages to stay positive throughout everything... it also made me thing of one quote quoted in the book--on how all happy endings are the same, but every tragedy is different. I think this book almost disproves that... the MC's story is a collection of seemingly everyday experiences, couched within extraordinary circumstances--but given most meaning when a young child comes into his life. And even with the tragedy that led him to this place, by the end, he gets to tell Sophia that he does not regret any of it, for if he changed just one thing, he might not have been there when she needed him.

I also really like how at the end, his escape comes about almost like clockwork. All of the details that he has noticed come together--like he was planning it all along even, but hiding his plans even from the reader. But we see him noticing things throughout the book, telling his stories. And then it all comes together to get him out of the hotel, out from under the gov't's thumb, and we have to hope that he eventually meets Sophia in France... but his first stop is going home. The same thing that brought him home in the first place... to say good bye to his sister. (hide spoiler)]

I’m planning to read this but my hold at the library is still 4 weeks out. I’ll be along!

My book club met Friday and chatted about it. Most folks enjoyed it a lot, though some thought it was waaaay too slow. A lot of people also watched the Paramount+ series, and said it was really good--a few who watched the series hadn't finished the book yet, and it was amusing having conversations where they'd say something and other folks would be like... "yeah, that's not in the books..." lol.