Amor Towles on New Novel 'A Gentleman in Moscow'

Amor Towles, author of the bestseller "The Rules of Civility," discusses his latest book, "A Gentleman in Moscow," with WSJ's Lucy Feldman. Photo: Erika Burchett/The Wall Street Journal
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[@kathyandrews2238]

The writer’s style is absolutely captivating. His knowledge Russian history is astounding. I will read this book again just to reread his metaphors.

[@SammyCee23]

What were your favorite metaphors?

[@andyrew-park]

@@SammyCee23 and legend tells Kathy still hasn’t gotten a response

[@burnrubber3361]

Dear Mr. Towles, What an incredible accomplishment! The reader gets the sense this book was written 80 years ago.And the reader is a guest at the hotel as well. Also on the audio book. Nicholas Guy the narrator is equally outstanding as well.

[@annutka2006]

I'm Russian and I have enjoyed this genuine, if at times idealistic tribute to Russian culture and history. It is a brilliantly written book overall with a great story and charming characters. I liked every bit of it.

[@squamish4244]

It's idealistic partly because the count's house arrest means he is trapped in literally the safest and most luxurious place in the Soviet Union at the time. Very clever conceit.

[@joansutton]

One of the best novels I've ever read. What a genius Amor Towles.

[@jovandavidovic1]

This book has just stolen me two days. It was impossible to put it down. So great!

[@victoriaallen1635]

One of the best books I’ve read. And the audiobook is excellent!! Bravo

[@catherinenunan3584]

I agree. I listened to the audiobook a few years ago but now I am reading the physical copy for Bookclub. It is still marvellous.

[@hakukuze7947]

Reading it is like a meditation session. Thoroughly enjoying the details he delved into.

[@cesargil5997]

He’s a superb writer

[@whosaidalex]

This was a really good interview, letting the author take his time to speak of the book! The interviewer jumped in at the perfect time to ask questions! Very fluid conversation! 👍🏼👌🏼

[@marciaclark7072]

One of my favorite books so well written! And you get a smidgen of history that you will recognize when you hear it!

[@dylan-xc7cs]

It’s like you’re staying in the hotel yourself!

[@josepinero8557]

I am delightfully pleased that my first novel that I purchased, fervently read, and finished was this one. Amor Towles is masterful at every turn until the very end! I was visibly saddened and at times laughed out loud because of this story. Can't recommend this book enough to those who are intrigued enough to ask about it. A fine work of literature.

[@shevaschwartz]

Read this after taking a class on Soviet history... all I can say is that this was a much more enjoyable way of learning about the time period :-) what lovable characters... Anna Urbanova, Emile Zhukovsky, even the Bishop was delightful in his feckless treachery!

[@Marunchak]

I too thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I rarely read fiction that's not sci-fi. Staying at the Metropol Hotel is now on my bucket list, and I would very much like to see this book made into a movie. I'm thinking Jude Law would do justice to the role of Count Rostov.

[@TheVaughan5]

The Metropole (also maybe the National) is the only luxury hotel in Moscow that gives you a genuine Russian atmosphere. There are the usual International chain brands but no way would I choose any of these more generic places over the real thing

[@emiliabolsas]

I was’t on board with Jude Law until I saw his GQ interview/career retrospective posted yesterday on KZbin. Jude is bearded and - wow - I see it now. It would be perfect casting!

[@markcavandish1295]

Agreed... it must be Jude Law

[@vrindam1247]

Unfortunately, there is an adaptation coming up with Kenneth Branagh playing Count Rostov

[@emiliabolsas]

@@vrindam1247 🤦‍♀️

[@calicocarlA]

One of my all time favorite books! I visited Moscow once but did not know about the Metropol then.

[@mingtingwei5613]

Love this novel so much. Alexander Rostov is the philosopher without doubt. Full of life wisdom~~

[@muhlenstedt]

one of my favorites book, the author is very sucessul by mixing history, humanity and culture. The central character is charming and witty.

[@glendaricord3160]

A Gentleman in Moscow is a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to discuss it. Great video.

[@stresspresso]

I had just finished the book this morning. What a delightful story. but that desert tray, sitting so askew would cause Emile, the Bishop, and Andrey to lose their minds. how was that sent out to the diners?

[@jenlittle825]

I had the same thought exactly.

[@janetcrane59]

I am reading this now & don't want it to end. I could only see Clifton Webb as The Count. Such a well constructed book with deep characters and a story line that never seems contrived.

[@lauragranger9813]

He’d have the perfect poise and charisma for it

[@johnjansson7513]

I just finished listening to this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found many interesting lessons from the experiences of the characters. I am in a similar situation to the protagonist of the story as I too am trapped in my own home, however cancer recovery is the barrier which holds me in. The protagonist's resolve to "master one's circumstances or else be mastered by them" was particularly uplifting for me.

[@SammyCee23]

May I ask the most profound lesson you learned from this novel?

[@emiliabolsas]

I’m reading this now during the pandemic and having the same thoughts. Hope you’re still well.

[@juenige]

I hope you are well. I am reading during the pandemic, so it was uplifting to me also, but in a different manner.

[@catherinenunan3584]

@@SammyCee23 for me it is the one that the Countess and her nephew discuss right at the beginning. Never let your circumstances define you or your response to them. Continue as the person that you are.

[@sangeetadasappa1947]

The book is an absolute Delight! Loved it

[@khadijasaadallah5050]

Excellent book and brilliant writing

[@svetlanazavialova6036]

I did work in Metropol a very long time ago. And i love very much this time. Now i live in Australia and very much my life in Australia.... Isnt funny ?

[@joeomalley2835]

I'm currently reading and really enjoying this book. I love the style of this book as well. Good interview.

[@reiner164]

One of the better novels written this century

[@aragamsubbarao5912]

Excellent.

[@tupilwesinyangwe5098]

Such a great book, good read this one is!

[@franm.8343]

I loved this book, I was thinking back to the scene in the Metropole Hotel room where a senior ranking Russian General requested Alexander's help on fine dining and etiquette. It was written so vividly and well, I was able to see it clearly in my mind, like a scene from a film clip, feel the tension in the room and the humour too. P.S. I am desperate to see it as a series, has it been released yet?

[@kirkworrell8652]

Wonderful book

[@MichaelBrady504]

Lucy Feldman interviews Amor Towles with the same enthusiasm as taking a nap.

[@lilyzen31]

Indeed. He is such an interesting person, but she doesn't mirror any of his energy or enthusiasm for his own book, making this interview rather bland, whereas a more sophisticated and tuned-in interviewer could have made the discussion far more riveting.

[@emiliabolsas]

@@lilyzen31 she didn’t read the book, I’m assuming.

[@markcavandish1295]

@@lilyzen31 she’s very young... and will certainly look back at this interview a dozen years from now wishing she could do it again. She is a delight to look at though.

[@mikef2813]

Great book!

[@garnetnewton-wade4091]

Among the best books I have ever read.

[@pchumsky4078]

I feel it would be interesting if he wanted to live in a hotel it would make a great character analysis

[@Alicelorraine]

I am reading this book atm I'm right In the middle it's such a good story would definitely recommend 😊

[@pazuzu126]

I think he is just Greg Kinnear in disguise

[@maryw246]

Loved this novel.

[@jacquelineedwards4140]

Very interesting.

[@rijumukherjee1940]

How can I find the background music?

[@banananerlandia]

Woah to go to Russia 10x!!! Captivating!! Beautiful book!!!

[@marystout2870]

I think ill read that.

[@portomendes25]

I was there for Christmas Evening dinner

[@scottreynolds7732]

Are you really saying this never happened?

[@khalidalali186]

The music anyone?

[@squamish4244]

Doesn't the book have an omniscient narrator? Or the narration evolves from strictly the Count's perspective towards an omniscient narrator.

[@tonywalton1052]

omniscient narrator, but like most omniscient narrators - mostly the perspective of the count

[@enamulcl9137]

valar A

[@KatzMeow268]

Lucy! Sit up straight and get your elbows off the table and please act like you're interested in your guest.

[@adriftingboat]

Unfotunately, sheis vapid and insipid.

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Check out The Chekist movie for a full display of brutal Red Terror!

[@willcwhite]

Stylish man, but he forgot to tuck the back of his tie through the loop :(

[@jamlane]

It’s a stylistic choice. See Bryan Ferry for an example.

[@donluasco7115]

2020 Lockdown

[@ironichumorist]

Thanks for not bringing a serious interviewer.

[@alexandertyomin1808]

I wrote this book. I'm Russian. Interesting but a lot of fact mistakes. This man coudn't exist, probably author needs him to discribe the life in Russia, but it is not good method.

[@kirillseemann2513]

Amor Towles admitted that the idea to write this book came to him as he saw some guests in a westeuropean hotel. But the plot is designed in Russia. It's a nonsense, very misleading. Too many empty fantasies.

[@visitjoana4576]

Mr. Towles already clarified that "why" Russia.

[@emiliabolsas]

Inspiration can strike anywhere...

[@hannahleila]

What?!!

[@patrickinsoho4777]

I can understand your point but many of those grand hotels are pretty generic. I have been lucky enough to stay at The Metropole when I was in Moscow (then part of the Starwood chain) and it was pretty similar to loads of other grand hotels of the same period. I could have been staying in The Hotel Alvear in Buenos Aires or the Prince of Wales in Paris. I can understand you objections to the book, but Moscow is a credible location for the hotel.