Spanning over three decades, this detailed depiction of Russia's many changes from 1822 through 1954
was a delightful read, especially because of Towles' lead character, the very charming Count Rostov. Some readers looking for a faster pace or a deeper plot will not be enamored of this more slow paced dissection of numerous characters. However, I was! Count Rostov is a displaced aristocrat, headed for Siberia and probable death when Russia was "cleaning the swamps" of its wealthy class. Rostov is saved from that end because of his status as a "pre-revolutionary poet" (a historical contributor); but was still punished by being banished for the rest of his life to the Metropol, an exclusive hotel directly across from the Kremlin.
It was such an interesting premise beginning on page 3, and my initial thought was.."where in the world is this author going to find material to fill the rest of these pages?" The remaining story of the Count's many excursions, friendships, conversations, roles, and unusual life is absolutely enchanting. Towles' "rabbit trail reflections" are intriguing, causing the reader to pause and reflect: "For that matter, what can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory; that they deserve not only our consideration but our reconsideration - and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour."
As another reviewer so aptly put it: "Towles bestows on us a language to be treasured; a story to be remembered." I concur.
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