A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The story takes place in the Hotel Metropole in Moscow during the Soviet era. The protagonist, a former aristocrat, has been placed under house arrest for his alleged involvement with the opposition. He must navigate the complexities of life within the hotel's walls while maintaining his dignity and sense of self. As he interacts with the other residents, including a young countess and a charming thief, he begins to see the world in a different light. The novel explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through the protagonist's experiences. Throughout the book, the hotel becomes a microcosm of Soviet society, with its own rules, hierarchies, and power struggles. The protagonist must adapt to this new reality while holding on to his past and his sense of self-worth. The novel is a character-driven exploration of the human experience, delving into themes such as loyalty, friendship, and the search for meaning in a restrictive society.
By Amor Towles · First published 2016 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama · 40 chapters · 176,330 words
First lines
How well I remember / When it came as a visitor on foot / And dwelt a while amongst us / A melody in the semblance of a mountain cat. / Well, where is our purpose now? / Like so many questions / I answer this one / With the eye-averted peeling of a pear. / With a bow I bid goodnight / And pass through terrace doors / Into the simple splendors / Of another temperate spring; / But this much I know: / It is not lost among the autumn leaves on Peter's Square. / It is not among the ashes in the Athenaeum ash cans. / It is not inside the blue pagodas of your fine Chinoiserie. / It is not in Vronsky's saddlebags; / Not in Sonnet XXX, stanza one; / Not on twenty-seven red. / Where Is It Now? (Lines 1-19) / - Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, 1913
What this Textopian page supports
A Gentleman in Moscow is listed on Textopian as a novel by Amor Towles, dated 2016 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Amor Towles
- Date: 2016 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Philosophical Fiction, Comedy
- Length: 176,330 words
- Structure: 40 chapters, 4,752 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of significant historical events in Russia, exploring the impact of these events on the protagonist's life.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and character-driven, focusing on themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience.
- Drama — The story delves into personal and social conflicts, highlighting the protagonist's interactions and relationships within a confined setting.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deeper questions about life, purpose, and the nature of time, prompting reflection on existence.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Russian Literature · Gilded Age · Imperial Russia · Exile · Isolation · Luxury Hotel · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Morality Tale · Coming of Age
Contents
- 1922: an Ambassador
- An Anglican Ashore
- An Appointment
- An Acquaintanceship
- Anyway
- Around and About
- An Assembly
- Archeologies
- Advent
- 1923: an Actress, an Apparition, an Apiary
- Addendum
- 1924: Anonymity
- 1926: Adieu
- 1930
- Arachne's Art
- An Afternoon Assignation
- An Alliance
- Absinthe
- Addendum
- 1938: an Arrival
- Adjustments
- Ascending, Alighting
- Addendum
- 1946
- Antics, Antitheses, an Accident
- Addendum
- 1950: Adagio, Andante, Allegro
- 1952: America
- 1953: Apostles and Apostates
- 1954: Applause and Acclaim
- Achilles Agonistes
- Arrivederci
- Adulthood
- An Announcement
- Anecdotes
- An Association
- Antagonists at Arms (and an Absolution)
- Apotheoses
- Afterwards
- And Anon