A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles, Four Stars

Towles is an extraordinary story-teller. If you consider the book's premise, you might think it destined to be dull. But Towles develops his characters, throws in some quite unexpected plot twists, and keeps things moving with a light tone, colorful metaphors, and more than a few well-turned phrases. His writing style sometimes feels archaic, but that only plays into his focus on a Russian nobleman living in the first half of the twentieth century. There were moments I was chuckling or even laughing out loud, not a compliment I pay every work of fiction. I especially enjoyed how he poked fun at Russian authors and literature in a few points, as well as his satirical way of backhanding the Soviet Communist system in little asides. I won't say drop whatever you're reading right now and pick up a copy, but for the love of reading, at least make it your next book!