A Gentleman in Moscow, Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Online Book Club discussion of A Gentleman in Moscow.

Did you enjoy reading this section? So many things happened! It's amazing all of the adventures a man can have even if he isn't leaving his house! He's lucky that he got to spend his house arrest in a place that has so many people. I think a person would really go insane if they were stuck in a house alone forever. What did you think of the fact that he started helping out in the restaurant? It definitely helped him fill his days and interact with more people. 

The most surprising thing, by far, in this section was that Nina returned with a daughter. I was shocked. I think the thing I really had the hardest time with in this book was absorbing time as it passed. Since his location didn't change, it was hard to track the years, even with them displayed at the beginning of chapters. I just had a hard time really locking in on the time. So, it was shocking that Nina had been gone for so long. To me, it felt like she just left. I couldn't believe she had such an old daughter. It was so sad that she was going to go looking for her husband. And, it was really sad when it was revealed that Nina never came back. Do you think she ever found her husband? I can't imagine how hard it was for her to leave her daughter behind. I'm glad she felt like Rostov was a trustworthy person to leave her daughter with. I'm kind of surprised that she picked him since he doesn't seem to have any experience with children. It was sweet to see him attempt to bond with Sofia. He seemed like a fish out of water. What do you think of Sofia? She is so serious. She's definitely less whimsical than Nina was when Rostov met her. 

Rostov's connection to Osip ended up being another really important relationship in this section. It was interesting that their lessons shifted from intellectual lessons with important books to more relaxed lessons with American movies. I liked how they were able to grasp so much about American culture and politics from the movies. 

I really liked seeing how Sofia and the Count's relationship changed throughout this section. Their bond ended up being really special. How surprised were you that Rostov actually left the hotel after Sofia was injured? I was shocked! I was so afraid that he was going to be caught and punished. But, I liked how he acted with her best interest in mind, not his. It was interesting that he had the driver take her to what he thought was the best hospital but was not actually the best hospital. He had been out of the city for so long that he didn't know what would be the best place! I was so relieved when Osip showed up and got her the best care and got Rostov out of the hospital unnoticed. I'm glad that he ended up being such an important trusted friend to Rostov. 

Were you surprised that Anna showed up again in this section? Her relationship to Rostov ended up being more serious than I imagined it would be. I wonder why they are so taken with each other. They definitely seem to be different types of people. 

Did anything else stand out to you in this section? What were your favorite parts of the section? Are you excited to keep reading? Do you have any guesses as to what will happen at the end of the book? 

Before you go, check out author, Amor Towles, talking about the television adaptation of the book. Don't you think it's interesting that authors really don't have any say over the adaptations of their work? I think that would make the process really hard! I can't imagine what it would be like to give up creative control. 

Thanks for following along this month! I can't wait to read your thoughts on this section in the comments! Make sure to finish the book before checking back again next week!