Setting upright that which had been knocked over

For many, this post comes not as news but as unnecessary confirmation of what they already knew: Amor Towles' A Gentleman in Moscow is an absolutely delicious novel! Having seen recommendations from both my sister Andrea and Bill Gates, I purchased a secondhand copy of the book.

Naturally, I relished the ample references to Russian and classical literature. Towles cites the oft-quoted line from Tolstoy's Anna Karenina: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," and then upends it in the telling of his story. Similarly, Towles introduces film and Humphrey Bogart. The Casablanca theme woven into the story is fantastic and inspires the title of this post. (I will refrain from saying more to avoid spoilers.) Towles' arresting, lush language and astute observations credited to the Gentleman (Count Alexander Rostov) invited substantial underlining of choice passages.

I read more slowly than usual through this novel. Rostov, under house arrest in a hotel, lives amid several well-drawn characters. Towles enlivens a rich setting in the heart of Moscow, which seems almost fantastical until I discovered that, in fact, it exists: the Hotel Metropol. As I read, I fancied travelling to see Moscow and the places described in such detail. Then I discovered that some readers now travel to visit the Boyarsky, the Piazza, and the Shalyapin of that historic hotel. Such a fine work, as well, may inspire an adaptation to film or screen. Imagine my delight that Kenneth Branagh will star in and produce a version for the small screen.

So, if you have journey this far in my commentary and not yet read this work, set your computer or phone aside and get the book. Meanwhile, I will dream of travels to the Metropol and await Branagh's version of the charming Count Rostov.