Amor Towles on New Novel 'A Gentleman in Moscow'

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  • Опубликовано: 11 июн 2024
  • 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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Комментарии • 82

  • @kathyandrews2238
    @kathyandrews2238 6 лет назад +192

    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
      @SammyCee23 5 лет назад +3

      What were your favorite metaphors?

    • @andyrew-park
      @andyrew-park Год назад +2

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

  • @annutka2006
    @annutka2006 3 года назад +50

    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
      @squamish4244 3 месяца назад

      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.

  • @burnrubber3361
    @burnrubber3361 5 лет назад +37

    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.

  • @whosaidalex
    @whosaidalex 6 лет назад +26

    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! 👍🏼👌🏼

  • @victoriaallen1635
    @victoriaallen1635 2 года назад +18

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

    • @catherinenunan3584
      @catherinenunan3584 Год назад +2

      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.

  • @cesargil5997
    @cesargil5997 6 лет назад +36

    He’s a superb writer

  • @josepinero8557
    @josepinero8557 5 лет назад +18

    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.

  • @joansutton
    @joansutton 23 дня назад +1

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

  • @jovandavidovic1
    @jovandavidovic1 5 лет назад +34

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

  • @hakukuze7947
    @hakukuze7947 2 года назад +8

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

  • @marciaclark7072
    @marciaclark7072 3 года назад +14

    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
      @dylan-xc7cs 3 года назад +1

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

  • @Marunchak
    @Marunchak 5 лет назад +71

    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
      @TheVaughan5 3 года назад +1

      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
      @emiliabolsas 3 года назад +4

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

    • @markcavandish1295
      @markcavandish1295 3 года назад +2

      Agreed... it must be Jude Law

    • @vrindam1247
      @vrindam1247 3 года назад +2

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

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas 3 года назад +2

      @@vrindam1247 🤦‍♀️

  • @calicocarlA
    @calicocarlA 5 лет назад +10

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

  • @shevaschwartz
    @shevaschwartz 2 года назад +5

    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!

  • @mingtingwei5613
    @mingtingwei5613 4 года назад +13

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

  • @glendaricord3160
    @glendaricord3160 4 года назад +7

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

  • @johnjansson7513
    @johnjansson7513 6 лет назад +37

    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
      @SammyCee23 5 лет назад +3

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

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas 3 года назад +4

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

    • @juenige
      @juenige 3 года назад +1

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

    • @catherinenunan3584
      @catherinenunan3584 Год назад

      @@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.

  • @joeomalley2835
    @joeomalley2835 4 года назад +5

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

  • @janetcrane59
    @janetcrane59 2 года назад +4

    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
      @lauragranger9813 Год назад

      He’d have the perfect poise and charisma for it

  • @sangeetadasappa1947
    @sangeetadasappa1947 3 года назад +4

    The book is an absolute Delight! Loved it

  • @khadijasaadallah5050
    @khadijasaadallah5050 4 года назад +7

    Excellent book and brilliant writing

  • @muhlenstedt
    @muhlenstedt Год назад +2

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

  • @stresspresso
    @stresspresso 3 года назад +7

    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
      @jenlittle825 3 года назад

      I had the same thought exactly.

  • @svetlanazavialova6036
    @svetlanazavialova6036 5 лет назад +9

    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 ?

  • @reiner164
    @reiner164 2 года назад +3

    One of the better novels written this century

  • @aragamsubbarao5912
    @aragamsubbarao5912 2 года назад +2

    Excellent.

  • @tupilwesinyangwe5098
    @tupilwesinyangwe5098 4 года назад +4

    Such a great book, good read this one is!

  • @kirkworrell8652
    @kirkworrell8652 Год назад +1

    Wonderful book

  • @mikef2813
    @mikef2813 3 года назад +2

    Great book!

  • @franm.8343
    @franm.8343 Год назад

    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?

  • @garnetnewton-wade4091
    @garnetnewton-wade4091 8 месяцев назад

    Among the best books I have ever read.

  • @MichaelBrady504
    @MichaelBrady504 5 лет назад +25

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

    • @summer_poems
      @summer_poems 5 лет назад +12

      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
      @emiliabolsas 3 года назад +5

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

    • @markcavandish1295
      @markcavandish1295 3 года назад +2

      @@summer_poems 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.

  • @Alicelorraine
    @Alicelorraine 8 месяцев назад

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

  • @pchumsky4078
    @pchumsky4078 7 лет назад +9

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

  • @maryw246
    @maryw246 Год назад

    Loved this novel.

  • @jacquelineedwards4140
    @jacquelineedwards4140 10 месяцев назад

    Very interesting.

  • @pazuzu126
    @pazuzu126 3 года назад +4

    I think he is just Greg Kinnear in disguise

  • @marystout2870
    @marystout2870 7 месяцев назад

    I think ill read that.

  • @rijumukherjee1940
    @rijumukherjee1940 3 года назад +1

    How can I find the background music?

  • @banananerlandia
    @banananerlandia Год назад

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

  • @portomendes25
    @portomendes25 Месяц назад

    I was there for Christmas Evening dinner

  • @scottreynolds7732
    @scottreynolds7732 3 года назад +2

    Are you really saying this never happened?

  • @willcwhite
    @willcwhite 3 года назад

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

    • @jamlane
      @jamlane Год назад

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

  • @squamish4244
    @squamish4244 6 лет назад +3

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

    • @tonywalton1052
      @tonywalton1052 6 лет назад +5

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

    • @enamulcl9137
      @enamulcl9137 5 лет назад

      valar A

  • @donluasco7115
    @donluasco7115 4 года назад +2

    2020 Lockdown

  • @KatzMeow268
    @KatzMeow268 2 года назад +8

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

    • @adriftingboat
      @adriftingboat 2 года назад

      Unfotunately, sheis vapid and insipid.

  • @khalidalali186
    @khalidalali186 6 лет назад

    The music anyone?

  • @carausiuscaesar5672
    @carausiuscaesar5672 2 месяца назад

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

  • @ironichumorist
    @ironichumorist 3 месяца назад

    Thanks for not bringing a serious interviewer.

  • @alexandertyomin1808
    @alexandertyomin1808 2 года назад

    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
    @kirillseemann2513 5 лет назад +4

    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
      @visitjoana4576 3 года назад +4

      Mr. Towles already clarified that "why" Russia.

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas 3 года назад +4

      Inspiration can strike anywhere...

    • @hannahleila
      @hannahleila 3 года назад +1

      What?!!

    • @patrickinsoho4777
      @patrickinsoho4777 Год назад +1

      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.