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A Gentleman in Moscow


Synopsis


Amor Towles

Summary

Chapter 1: The Last Aristocrat

* Count Alexander Rostov, a former aristocrat, is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow after the Bolshevik Revolution.
* He is stripped of his privileges and possessions, but maintains his dignity and grace.
* Example: Despite being forbidden from leaving the hotel, Rostov finds joy in observing the patrons and staff from his window.

Chapter 2: The Old Bolsheviks

* Rostov befriends two elderly Bolsheviks, Korzukhin and Ivan Chokhov.
* They share stories and debate history, despite their different ideologies.
* Example: Korzukhin, a former revolutionary, is now disillusioned with the Soviet regime and admits to Rostov, "We destroyed the past. But we did not create the future."

Chapter 3: The Great Hall

* Rostov volunteers in the Metropol's grand dining hall, serving tea and observing the human drama that unfolds.
* He witnesses the rise and fall of fortunes, the romances and betrayals that occur within the hotel's gilded walls.
* Example: Rostov assists a young couple who celebrate their wedding in the Great Hall. However, their happiness is short-lived as the husband is arrested for anti-Soviet activities.

Chapter 4: The Young Pioneers

* Rostov becomes a mentor to Nina, a young girl who dreams of becoming a doctor.
* Through her, he experiences the hopes and aspirations of the new generation.
* Example: Nina organizes a secret gathering of young people who discuss forbidden literature and share their dreams for the future.

Chapter 5: The Purge

* The Great Purge intensifies, and many of Rostov's acquaintances disappear or are executed.
* His friends, Korzukhin and Ivan, are among the victims.
* Example: Rostov witnesses the arrest of his former servant, Alexei, who is accused of being a counter-revolutionary.

Chapter 6: The Second World War

* The hotel becomes a shelter for refugees fleeing the Nazi invasion.
* Rostov uses his connections to help those in need.
* Example: Rostov helps a Jewish family escape from the Nazis by arranging for them to travel to Sweden.

Chapter 7: The Post-War Years

* After the war, the repression eases and life in the hotel returns to a semblance of normalcy.
* Rostov becomes a beloved institution, known for his kindness and wisdom.
* Example: Rostov is invited to speak at a conference on Russian history. His speech inspires hope and reconciliation among the attendees.

Chapter 8: The End of an Era

* As the Khrushchev Thaw progresses, Rostov realizes that the old order is gone forever.
* He decides to leave the hotel and return to his ancestral estate.
* Example: Rostov reflects on his life, acknowledging that despite the hardships he endured, he has been a witness to history and a custodian of the human spirit.