Pick up this book when you are feeling down
There are days when you feel like you have life by the ropes and at that time you feel like taking on difficult things that may increase your potential or may help develop your personality. But when it’s the other way round and life has you by ropes you need something that will cheer you up and help you smile despite everything; ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ is exactly that kind of book.
The novel is set in post-revolutionary Russia, and Amor Towles somehow manages to seep glee into its very disrupted society. With the kind of violence and horror that the people of Russia went through during the revolution of 1917 and during the World Wars, it’s hard to imagine that something so breezy can be written about such times.
Count Alexander Rostov is condemned to house arrest in the hotel he spent four years of his life. The novel follows his story in the confines of the hotel and the plot moves forward as he tries to adjust to a life which doesn’t allow him much movement. Rostov’s character is simultaneously genius and charming. He understands the peculiarities of life and strives hard to make the best of any situation that life puts him in. That’s not to say that he doesn’t go through ups and downs like any other person, but because of destiny or life, however one wants to put it, he manages to cope with whatever comes his way. Rostov is lovable and the reader has no problem in sympathizing with him, though one realises that he doesn’t need much sympathy and is quite capable of taking control of his life, even if it takes him some time.
As the story progresses, the novel, in many instances, ponders upon the question of whether in the hopes of building a new and better world the cultural and traditional aspects of society are being diminished to the point where they might become extinct. While this question is of consequence regarding every society in the world, it’s of much more significance in a society, more accurately in a nation, where people were forced to let go of their beliefs. The element of choice wasn’t considered by the leaders and that made the transition more complicated. The novel sadly fails to provide a solution to this conundrum which Turgenev based his novel ‘Father and Sons’ on. The reason for this might be that one person cannot voice the mind of a whole nation.
One might think that the view of the novel is prejudiced in favour of the the lost times as the story runs from the point of view of a character who is a product of the old regime, but Towles makes sure to introduce strong characters from the new order whose opinions blare loudly and often provide relief regarding the way things have come to being.
Apart from all this ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ is the sort of novel that will keep a smile on your face throughout the story. Serious situations give way to comic relief and blissful feelings quickly.
Towles’ writing is witty and shows cleverness. There are novels which have elegant language and then there are novels which are all about the plot. ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ comes close to mastering both. Although it’s not intense, there are moments which make you look up from the book and contemplate about what you have just read. In addition to that the story keeps you interested, which makes it hard to put down the book.
Pick up this book when you are feeling down and it will assuredly pull you out of that bluesy feeling. It’s a light, happy read that will put vivid, charming images in your mind.
(Article submitted by Chetna Sabharwal)
