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Count Alexander Rostov is found guilty of a heinous crime: being an aristocrat in 1922 during the Russian Revolution. His sentence: either remain under house arrest in the Hotel Metropol or be shot. Count Alexander resolves to live out his imprisonment with the dignity, courtesy and self-discipline of a true gentleman.
At first, the count struggles to fill his days with meaning, but a chance encounter with a precocious 9-year-old girl helps him see the opportunities that await him. Rather than feeling cut off from the outside world, Count Alexander discovers that through the doors of the hotel the world comes to him. He develops relationships with a high-ranking Soviet official, a haughty actress, a cantankerous cook and an impeccable waiter. As the weeks turn into months and the months into years, the count finds ways to adapt to his situation and to the changing political situation. But the arrival of another girl to the hotel turns the count’s life upside down and gives it meaning in an entirely new way.
I absolutely loved the lavish detail and vibrant characters of this book. I felt transported back to the Metropol, with its irreproachable service and 20th-century glamour. I always enjoy books that make different times and places feel real, and this book is one of them. It’s the type of book to read slowly and carefully so as not to miss anything. I’ll admit a few parts were maybe TOO slow for my taste, especially some long political explanations. At the same time, it was fascinating to be able to understand better the rise of communist Russia and how it affected those who lived through it.
For me, the best part of this book was the count. From the very first page, I was charmed by his wit and self-possession. He was the epitome of the intelligent, cultured, honorable gentleman. Throughout his imprisonment, he never lost those qualities, while also becoming more tender and more aware of his own imperfection. And when the time came to face danger for someone he loved, he proved he possessed the courage and daring necessary to bring this book to its triumphant ending.
Rated: Mild. There are a handful of mild swears in English and a few in other languages. There’s a scene where a woman removes her dress and it’s implied they have sex, followed by an ongoing affair, but nothing explicit. No graphic violence.
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