The weather today here is dreadful. Rainy, blowy, cold. Hubby is in the kitchen; the soup assembly-line is in full swing. He likes to “cook big,” as he says. Time to settle down for a good old natter about books, I think.
Last night I finally finished Amor Towles latest novel A Gentleman in Moscow. I do love books about far away lands, books which take me places when I’m just sitting in my armchair. And I certainly loved this book.
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| Evening view of Hotel Metropol in Moscow source |
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| Main staircase in the lobby of Hotel Metropol source |
I savoured this book, my friends. All 462 pages of it. I was not surprised since Towles’ first novel The Rules of Civility was wonderful. Next to style, the most important thing for me in a book is character. I have to love at least some of the characters in a novel, otherwise it just doesn’t work for me. And the characters in A Gentleman in Moscow do not disappoint. They are so well drawn, and endearing, readers come to love almost all of them. Count Alexander himself, wryly humourous, ever the epitome of old world courtesy; the staff of the Metropole (Andrey, Emile, and Marina) who become his good friends; the little girl Nina whom he befriends and who, it turns out, has much to teach him. Even (eventually) the bull-headed Georgian, former colonel in the Red Army, and now “officer of the Party,” Osip Glebnokov, whose job it is to “keep track of certain men of interest.”
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| Dining room at Hotel Metropol source |
Charlotte Heathcote in her review in the London Express calls A Gentleman in Moscow a “gorgeous comic epic” with an “ingeniously ludicrous plot.” And I agree. The plot is epic. The writing is gorgeous. And you will laugh in places. But the book is not without its pathos. After all, it is set during a violent and disturbing time in history, and characters like Misha, and Nina (as an adult) give the reader glimpses of the horrors visited on the Russian people outside of the walls of the Metropol.
I also agree with Ron Charles in his review in the Washington Post where he says that despite the book’s charm, and the fact that it is an “endearing reminder of the graciousness of real class,” it does have a “potential for glibness.” The plot is sometimes just a bit too ingenious. The Count’s witty repartee, his ability to save any social situation seems at times a bit too slick, to me. And in one or two instances he becomes almost a caricature. But, like Charles, I think it’s Towles’ style and the “slightly ironic” narrator which save the book from slipping into shtick, or gimmickry. That and Towles’ ability to weave a tight plot, to bring back earlier mentioned minor details of plot or description which later give us several “ah ha!” moments. Not to mention his brilliant use of allusion. Especially to the film Casablanca. Trust me if you want to really get the ending of the book, you must watch Casablanca. Sigh. I love that movie.
The other book about faraway lands which I’ve recently read is Edna O’Brien’s wonderful novel The Little Red Chairs. Set in Ireland, and London, and in the Hague, O’Brien’s novel tells the story of Fidelma. Unhappy in her marriage, having failed at business, and longing for a child, for something to give meaning to her life, she meets a mysterious healer who appears one night in her village. She becomes obsessed with this mystic medical man, Vlad, as he calls himself. And her life is devastated by her association with him. And with who (and what) she and the world discover him to be.
In his review in The Independent Cole Moreton calls O’Brien’s latest novel “a masterpiece.” Part “adult fairy tale,” part “report from a war zone,” but throughout “a magical, deadly, wonderful, sickening, enchanting thing.” Exactly so …. wish I’d said that.
The “war zone” Moreton refers to is the Serb siege of Sarajevo which began in April 1992 and lasted for over three years, even longer than the 900-day German siege of Leningrad in WWII. The “little red chairs” of the title refer to the 11,541 chairs, set up as an art installation in the middle of Sarajevo in 2012. Called the Sarajevo Red Line, the chairs commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Siege of Sarajevo and its 11,541 victims, 643 of whom were children. The character of Vlad in the novel, one time doctor and healer who turns out to be a war criminal, is modelled on the real life “Butcher of Bosnia” Radovan Karadzic.
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| Sarajevo Red Line source |
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| Modern day Sarajevo. Photo courtesy of Michal Huniewicz |
Amor Towles’ enchanting novel transports us out of our world. But O’Brien’s is a realistic, and gritty novel, even with the often magical setting, and the mysterious stranger appearing out of the dark Irish night. It teaches us about our world. Here and now. About people scarred by tragedy, mute with suffering, lost in a new and unfamiliar place. It does not have an “ingenious plot” like Towles’ book. It’s much more ragged. Rugged. Raw edged. And for me much more affecting as a result of that raggedness.
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| Old Ottoman Cemetery Photo courtesy of Michal Huniewicz |
In his review of The Little Red Chairs, Cole Moreton quotes a character from O’Brien’s book: “‘War is a lottery. Count your lucky stars that you are here.'” And Moreton responds: “I did, after reading The Little Red Chairs, a mesmerizing book from a writer at the height of her powers, giving voice to the voiceless.” Me too. After reading O’Brien’s book, I too counted my lucky stars that I am “here.”
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| Shell damaged buildings in Sarajevo Photo courtesy of Michal Huniewicz |
I had a hard time writing this post. Two big books about big ideas. Too many sources. Too many ideas. Too much contradictory historical information that had me deleting parts of what I’d already written. But in my research I came across a site with wonderful photographs, taken by London-based photographer Michal Huniewicz during a visit to Sarajevo in 2014. In an e-mail I inquired if I might use them in my post. He graciously consented. “Go for it, ” he said, actually. And told me that in the shot below, the three girls are sitting on a hill overlooking the city of Sarajevo. The hill from which, during the siege, so many snipers took aim at the civilians below. In fact of the three girls pictured, two survived the siege. One “watched her childhood friend killed by a sniper in front of her eyes,” Huniewicz says.
You can have a look at the rest of Huniewicz’s photography here.
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| View of the city. Photo courtesy of Michal Huniewicz |
So that’s it for me, my friends. I think blogging about big books comprises the new “3 R’s” … reading, ‘riting, and raging. At least this time. I’ve been writing, and it’s been raining, for two solid days. Hubby has chopped, boiled, mixed, cooked, deboned, simmered, stirred, cooled, packaged, and frozen a mess of soup since I’ve been writing this. I had a yummy bowl of homemade chicken soup for lunch today. So it’s not all bad.
Hope you get a chance to read both of these books. They really do make you feel as if you’ve travelled to faraway places even while you’re just sitting in your armchair. Or lolling on the sofa with a cup of tea. And when you do read them, let me know what you think. Let’s have a good old natter about books.
All the books I review are available at Amazon with whom I have an affiliate relationship. If you buy the book by clicking the link, I will earn a small commission.
You can find Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow here, The Rules of Civility here, and Edna O’Brien’s The Little Red Chairs here.
17 thoughts on “Armchair Travel: Two Wonderful Books About Faraway Lands”
Enjoyed that film clip , great film & a gorgeous couple . I don't know either of those books but you make me want to find them . I read Penguin Lessons recently by Tom Michell & thought about you as it's set in Argentina . It's a lovely gentle read – don't let the penguin put you off . I know how you feel about birds.
Wendy in York
We read A Gentleman in Moscow for one of my book clubs, and everyone loved it. Although it is best read slowly…otherwise you can't savour its style and small, lovely moments. I'm off to find that Tom Mitchell book. Bird or no bird:)
I look forward to your book reviews even more than your fashion tips – these didn't disappoint and both books are now on my "to read" list.
With respect to A Gentleman in Moscow, you might enjoy The Russian Album, Michael Ignatieff's memoir of his paternal family's escape from Soviet Russia.
As for The Little Red Chairs, I know this book will break my heart. I was in Sarajevo in the summer of 1983 and was captivated by its beauty and diversity. Angelina Jolie's movie, In the Land of Blood and Honey, is a powerful testimony to the horrors of the Serbian war. Heart-wrenching to watch, but necessary in the same sense that watching Schindler's List felt like an obligation I owed to history and humanity.
Keep the book reviews coming (and the fashion stuff, too).
I thought of Michael Ingatieff while I was reading Towles' book… simply because the name is used in the plot for random characters a few times. His book would be an interesting companion to Towles' book. Thanks for suggesting it.
As you say…The Little Red Chairs will break your heart. Although it deals more with later events than the siege itself. Have a look at Michal Huniewicz's photos via the link I provided… and see his view of present day Sarajevo. He provides a brief narrative for each picture.
I also loved A Gentleman in Moscow when I read it a couple of months ago. Well worth a read! I haven't read the other one, but it sounds intriguing. Thanks for the reviews!
You're welcome, Tricia.
I love your book posts a lot
A Gentleman in Moscow is on my list for some time and the other book I would read eventually (curious,but too close,too painful…..)
I visited Sarajevo twice before the war (and loved it. A lot!) and a couple of times immediately after the war,when all the wounds were fresh…..
Dottoressa
Thanks, Dottoressa. I can well imagine that The Little Red Chairs would be too close and too painful for you.
A Gentleman in Moscow was a tremendous audio book. The readers were perfect. I am reading his other book, but it hasn't "grabbed "me yet. I am not far into it though. I have the Red Chairs on hold at the library. Thank you for your book reviews. I've discovered great writers and engrossing books. You are my favorite blogger — who else gives book reviews, fashion ideas, and travel adventures!!
Don't give up on Rules of Civility; it's wonderful. IMO. Thanks for the kinds words, Deborah.
Currently reading Rules of Civility,and enjoying it, have downloaded A Gentleman in Moscow to read on our next holiday. Really appreciate your thoughtful book reviews and suggestions, you've introduced me to many interesting authors. Always pleased to see your virtual face in my inbox �� Jules
Thanks, Jules:)
What a great post, as are all your book reviews. Red Chairs was at the library a few weeks ago when I popped in to pick up a book I'd had on Hold — I grabbed it and almost checked it out, but realised reluctantly that I'd never get to it in time, so put it back for later. Thanks to you, I'd say, "Later" had better be Very Soon — of course now it will probably not be available and I'll pay for my foolishness. . . .
Thanks, Frances. I had mine on order from the library for months, and then it came in when I was just starting A Gentleman in Moscow. So it was raining, pouring good books.
Haven't had much luck with books recently so delighted to get recommendations for two books which sound very appealing. Isabelle Allende's The Japanese Lover was a disappointment and much as I love Brunnetti, Donna Leon's latest was not her best. I suppose that's what happens when a series goes on for so long. Anyway always good to discover new authors. Thanks also for the link to Huniewicz's work. Very interesting and bought back memories of a visit to Mostar shortly after the bridge had been rebuilt and seeing the awful devastation and reminders of the war as well as the remarkable resilience of those who had survived and were rebuilding their city and lives. Enjoyed the clip from Casablanca too. We've really benefited from those rainy days! Iris
I went through a dry spell with books last year. So many were ho hum…or downright annoying. I'm not an Isabelle Allende fan… so I won't comment on that one.
It was so lovely of Michal Huniewicz to let me use his photos. I thought they were great.
Super cool. The Moscow book tempts me. (I was in Moscow a gazillion years ago, one summer – traipsing around the USSR as a high school student, believe it or not. Our accommodations were crappy tents in crappy campgrounds – nothing so grand!)
May I add… I adore that corner of Edna O'Brien's salon / study!
xo
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