Count Alexander Rostov is everything we’d like a Count to be : a tall and imposing build, elegant moustachios, impeccably dressed, an expert marksman, an aristocratic cosmopolitan, charming, beautiful manners, a refined palate in wine, food and women, but above all – he is the quintessential gentleman. But alas, in Moscow in 1922 he is declared persona non grata, and exiled. He becomes, in Communist-speak, a Former Person.
However, the unflappable Count adjusts to his new situation with fortitude, grace and a healthy dose of guile. We follow his changing fortunes right up until 1954, where the book ends. En route we follow the path of Russian history as it slowly changes into the powerful and feared Communist Russia of Nikita Kruschev.
Towles skilfully gives us a 30 year history of modern Russia, but in a painless way, and often with a patina of wry humour, skilfully weaving the information into the background of the story. I would love to know if he actually met and talked to any of the exiled Russian aristocrats who decorated Paris and Prague in the 1930s. I suspect they are long gone, but Towles gets the tone exactly right, whatever his sources.
But the book really is the story of the marvellous Count Rostov and the many people who cross his path in the years of transition. And what a varied assembly they are: hotel staff, Party officials, friends, writers, children, lovers , providing a rich novel that never falters . I read the book slowly, savouring the story. In fact, I didn’t want it to end.
What a rich, satisfying read. On the whole, I am not a huge fan of Historical Novels.But, this said: I loved the book and wholeheartedly recommend it.
P.S. I realised, in retrospect, how very clever the jacket photograph was. Kudos to whoever designed it.
THE BOOKSMITH 
I have this book on my TBR shelf. The book club I am joining next month read this book for July. I need to dust it off and read it. I have only heard good things about it.
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Alison, this sounds just like the kind of book I would like to read! This past year and a half , I’ve been reading about Russian history and came across Alexandr Baranov who became a lord of The Russian colony, Alaska. He rose from humble beginnings, first managing a glass factory and fur trading in Siberia and then becoming the manager of the Russian-American Company in colonial Russia. For his long years of service, the Czar awarded him with the title of a noble. So, thank you for writing about this book – I can hardly wait to go to the library. 🙂
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I can guarantee your enjoyment of the Towles book. You have piqued my interest re the Baranov book. Will add it to my list of Books I Want to Read.
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Alison, I goofed. The link to my blog about Baranov is in my Published page. Or you can find To Learn is to Live on my Gravatar profile page. My apologies: I cannot seem to remember urls.
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Okay. Noted.
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The Baranov book is Lord of Alaska by Hector Chevigny. You are not likely to find it in your little libraries; I had difficulty finding a copy of it at Amazon.com but eventually I succeeded and bought it. The copy I bought came all the way from England! If you want to know a little bit about Baranov, Alison, I wrote a blog about him in my blog about learning – To Learn is to Live. You can find the link in my About page here on My World in Reading.
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On my list. Friends and reviewers all attest to this being a great book
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