This is a lovely written piece of narrative narrating the thread of life of a loved and so lovely man whose privileged family love, education and culture impulsed him through a full and vivid life mastering all the circumstances and living every moment and aspect of his life, in whatever circumstance, with full love, open heart and open mind.
For 30 years, from within the world of the Metropol hotel in main square Moscow, facing the Bolshoi ballet, the Kremlin and Alexander Gardens, Alexander Rostov, from an aristocratic family origin, tells us the history of post Bolshevik Revolution Russia, the history of a man, a universal man, friends, closest loyal friends, circumstances, a world in transformation, one of the greatest experiences in human collective society, the passing through war and peace, broaden horizons, the best that comes from within, a romantic review of Russian, French, British and American transformation.
I recommend this literature, historical fiction book, to all those interested in human life, love, fortitude, resilience, mastering the circumstances, finding their purpose, and in learning about Russian culture, Russian transformation from aristocratic to proletarian Russia, and love, and loyalty, loyalty to principles, and love and loved ones, and life as it is with all its come and go, in whatever space you have, in whatever memories you have, in whatever expectations you have, living fully the day, living fully the richness of the relationships with people from all sorts of places and lives in the crossroads of the Metropol hotel witnessing important events in the history of Russia and the world, in the history of Alexander, Ana, Nina, Sophia and many others.
I gave this book 5 stars because it is marvelously written, with love, live, good will, and it tells us philosophy, social sciences, literature, history and geography. You’ve got to read it to perceive it, to sense it, to feel its subtleties, in its words, paragraphs, narrative, characters, and timeless and universal mastering of the circumstances.
A version of this post originally appeared on the website of Goodreads.
ColaresNotes 