What are you reading this week of July 2, 2017?

[sagesnow]

4. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amory Towles

The story is centered on a Russian nobleman who is sentenced to house arrest by the Bolsheviks in the lavish Metropol Hotel in Moscow in 1922. Subject to being shot if he sets foot outside the hotel, the Count constructs a surprisingly bounteous life inside. Amazing plot details shaped in the first half of the book come to fruition in the second half, as the Count assists his last protegee to freedom and a successful career. It was an interesting juxtaposition of capitalist vs communistic ideas. I was not completely sure which side to root for- as I am ideologically somewhere in between.
While I was initially put off from reading this because of the Russian connection, it turned out to be a good, but light, refresher on Russian history. IMO, Towles story telling nearly rivals Checkov's. I couldn't put it down. BTW, I listened to the Audible version read by Nicholas Guy Smith, a very excellent reader. I am giving it 5 stars because 1. it is a well crafted story, 2. It made me laugh and made me cry 3. it made me want to read other books and see movies about this subject, ie Casablanca, 4. I would read it again 5. I would recommend it to others.