The 2017 book A Gentleman in Moscow gives a glimpse into the deepest recesses of the Russian soul.
"Take your heels out of the Metropol and you will be shot on the spot," reads the life sentence of the Bolshevik tribunal against Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov for authorship of a "dangerous" poem. So begins a gripping story spanning thirty years from the founding of the Soviet Union through the Great Patriotic War to Khrushchev's rise to power.
The "incorrigible aristocrat" Rostov, a polished scholar with a wit to spare who has never worked a day in his life, is forced to leave his suite at Moscow's Metropol Hotel and live in a staff loft while the most tumultuous events in Russian history unfold outside. But the Count is a born optimist; in keeping with the life philosophy of his grand duke godfather - namely, that if one does not deal with circumstances, circumstances will deal with him - he will not become bitter and face his fate. Through it, we follow not only the specific life behind the walls of a luxury hotel within sight of the Kremlin, but also the impact of historical upheavals on its inhabitants. The result is an amazing adventure, bringing unexpected friendships that give us a glimpse into the deepest corners of the Russian soul.
The character of Count Rostov, a member of the Jockey Club and Master of the Hunt, who defies everyday absurdity with wisdom, humour and elegance, has captivated readers around the world. The Gentleman won The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Express and Irish Times Book of the Year 2017 and has already sold over a million copies.
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