A Gentleman in Moscow

A Novel

By: Amor Towles

Narrated by: Nicholas Guy Smith

Length: 17 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The mega-bestseller with more than 2 million readers, soon to be a Showtime/Paramount series starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov

From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lincoln Highway and Rules of Civility, a beautifully transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

©2016 Amor Towles (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The novel buzzes with the energy of numerous adventures, love affairs, [and] twists of fate."—The Wall Street Journal

"If you're looking for a summer novel, this is it. Beautifully written, a story of a Russian aristocrat trapped in Moscow during the tumult of the 1930s. It brims with intelligence, erudition, and insight, an old-fashioned novel in the best sense of the term."—Fareed Zakaria, "Global Public Square," CNN

"Fun, clever, and surprisingly upbeat . . . A Gentleman in Moscow is an amazing story because it manages to be a little bit of everything. There’s fantastical romance, politics, espionage, parenthood and poetry. The book is technically historical fiction, but you would be just as accurate calling it a thriller or a love story.”—Bill Gates

Like a perfect 7-course dinner

Engaging, flowing, very enjoyable BECAUSE of its slower pace. And a perfect narrator. One of the best audiobooks I heard in recent years.

Thoughtful, considerate, wise, clever...

It's a wonder I chose this book. The title isn't compelling, and the outline of the story as presented does't begin to do it justice; --but I'm so glad I chose and read it.

Everything about Towles' writing here is thoughtful, considerate, wise and clever. His writing is beautiful, his illustration of characters so rich and endearing, and his story a sophisticated, but perfectly woven tapestry. A truly exceptional read. My best book of the year.

Terrific book, beautifully narrated

Where does A Gentleman in Moscow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10%

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Gentleman in Moscow?

I don't want to write a spoiler---but the part about Sofia's barefoot walk to meet an old friend, including the scene with the telephones ringing, was beautiful, and gripping

What does Nicholas Guy Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator's voice and accent slightly changes when he reads conversations between different characters. It seems that he is not reading a book to me---it feels as if I am overhearing a conversation.

If you could take any character from A Gentleman in Moscow out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The Count---a very interesting gentleman.

Any additional comments?

This book is not a "beach read." This book is literature.

Enjoyed Every Sentence

This book was such a treat. It is so well written I often thought "That is such a great sentence!" And I will listen to it over and over again.

PS Nicholas Guy Smith could not have been a more perfect narrator. I think his portrayal of the characters greatly added to my experience of the book. 5 stars.

Like strolling in the park on a sunny day

I started this book twice, finished once. I thought it was too slow, too boring upon my initial venture. However, the second time around I allowed myself to get lost in the lyrical melody of the story (which is really beautiful) and found I really like The Count and found him a fascinating character. What a brilliant glimpse into Russian history, the romance of communism, the failures of communism, the lost art of conversation and dare I say, civility. Just a brilliantly written story that moves like the rhythm of a stroll in the park with no particular place to go or be. This listen was just so refreshing and original. The narrator was perfect and very easy on the ears. I am so glad I gave it a second chance well worth one credit and I will probably buy the book to sit and enjoy. Treat yourself to just an enjoyable listen that should provoke some serious introspection when you are finished.

Brilliant

I've recommended this audiobook as much as I could this past few weeks. The writing continued to catch me with a thought or phrase that lingered in my mind even after the story moved on. I thought it was a wonderfully unique novel regarding the impact choices make on a life and the narration fit the story beautifully. Great work all the way around.

What a Surprise...

I read the reviews and thought I would give "A Gentleman in Moscow" a try. So glad I did. Most interesting and delightful book with funny little quips throughout. Loved the narrator too!

Narrator is Perfect

Never was a narrator a more perfect match for the material. The story was wonderful. Highly recommend.

FANTASTIC

The best book I have ever read. I wish there was a second book. It kept my attention throughout.

Flawless Elegant Storytelling

Supremely satisfying and both instructional and weirdly timely to be listening under quarantine.

I wanted a comforting voice, a lovely yarn, and a little history and I got all that and more. The book is charming and subtle in its deft magic tricks and careful plotting. Obsessed at times with Chekhov, the writer’s guns are placed throughout the story, and picked up and fired at just the right moments to make a wonderful, tidy, and gentlemanly narrative sparkle.