Amor Towles on New Novel 'A Gentleman in Moscow'

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 27. 05. 2024
  • Amor Towles, author of the bestseller "The Rules of Civility," discusses his latest book, "A Gentleman in Moscow," with WSJ's Lucy Feldman. Photo: Erika Burchett/The Wall Street Journal
    Subscribe to the WSJ channel here:
    bit.ly/14Q81Xy
    More from the Wall Street Journal:
    Visit WSJ.com: www.wsj.com
    Follow WSJ on Facebook: / wsjvideo
    Follow WSJ on Google+: plus.google.com/+wsj/posts
    Follow WSJ on Twitter: / wsjvideo
    Follow WSJ on Instagram: / wsj
    Follow WSJ on Pinterest: / wsj
    Don’t miss a WSJ video, subscribe here: bit.ly/14Q81Xy
    More from the Wall Street Journal:
    Visit WSJ.com: www.wsj.com
    Visit the WSJ Video Center: wsj.com/video
    On Facebook: / videos
    On Twitter: / wsj
    On Snapchat: on.wsj.com/2ratjSM
  • Zábava

Komentáře • 82

  • @kathyandrews2238
    @kathyandrews2238 Před 6 lety +191

    The writer’s style is absolutely captivating. His knowledge Russian history is astounding.
    I will read this book again just to reread his metaphors.

    • @SammyCee23
      @SammyCee23 Před 5 lety +3

      What were your favorite metaphors?

    • @andyrew-park
      @andyrew-park Před rokem +2

      @@SammyCee23 and legend tells Kathy still hasn’t gotten a response

  • @annutka2006
    @annutka2006 Před 3 lety +50

    I'm Russian and I have enjoyed this genuine, if at times idealistic tribute to Russian culture and history. It is a brilliantly written book overall with a great story and charming characters. I liked every bit of it.

    • @squamish4244
      @squamish4244 Před 3 měsíci

      It's idealistic partly because the count's house arrest means he is trapped in literally the safest and most luxurious place in the Soviet Union at the time. Very clever conceit.

  • @burnrubber3361
    @burnrubber3361 Před 5 lety +37

    Dear Mr. Towles, What an incredible accomplishment! The reader gets the sense this book was written 80 years ago.And the reader is a guest at the hotel as well. Also on the audio book. Nicholas Guy the narrator is equally outstanding as well.

  • @victoriaallen1635
    @victoriaallen1635 Před 2 lety +18

    One of the best books I’ve read. And the audiobook is excellent!! Bravo

    • @catherinenunan3584
      @catherinenunan3584 Před rokem +2

      I agree. I listened to the audiobook a few years ago but now I am reading the physical copy for Bookclub. It is still marvellous.

  • @joansutton
    @joansutton Před 9 dny +1

    One of the best novels I've ever read. What a genius Amor Towles.

  • @hakukuze7947
    @hakukuze7947 Před 2 lety +8

    Reading it is like a meditation session. Thoroughly enjoying the details he delved into.

  • @cesargil5997
    @cesargil5997 Před 6 lety +36

    He’s a superb writer

  • @jovandavidovic1
    @jovandavidovic1 Před 5 lety +34

    This book has just stolen me two days. It was impossible to put it down. So great!

  • @marciaclark7072
    @marciaclark7072 Před 3 lety +14

    One of my favorite books so well written! And you get a smidgen of history that you will recognize when you hear it!

    • @dylan-xc7cs
      @dylan-xc7cs Před 3 lety +1

      It’s like you’re staying in the hotel yourself!

  • @whosaidalex
    @whosaidalex Před 5 lety +26

    This was a really good interview, letting the author take his time to speak of the book! The interviewer jumped in at the perfect time to ask questions! Very fluid conversation! 👍🏼👌🏼

  • @shevaschwartz
    @shevaschwartz Před 2 lety +5

    Read this after taking a class on Soviet history... all I can say is that this was a much more enjoyable way of learning about the time period :-) what lovable characters... Anna Urbanova, Emile Zhukovsky, even the Bishop was delightful in his feckless treachery!

  • @josepinero8557
    @josepinero8557 Před 5 lety +18

    I am delightfully pleased that my first novel that I purchased, fervently read, and finished was this one. Amor Towles is masterful at every turn until the very end! I was visibly saddened and at times laughed out loud because of this story. Can't recommend this book enough to those who are intrigued enough to ask about it. A fine work of literature.

  • @Marunchak
    @Marunchak Před 5 lety +71

    I too thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I rarely read fiction that's not sci-fi. Staying at the Metropol Hotel is now on my bucket list, and I would very much like to see this book made into a movie. I'm thinking Jude Law would do justice to the role of Count Rostov.

    • @TheVaughan5
      @TheVaughan5 Před 3 lety +1

      The Metropole (also maybe the National) is the only luxury hotel in Moscow that gives you a genuine Russian atmosphere. There are the usual International chain brands but no way would I choose any of these more generic places over the real thing

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas Před 3 lety +4

      I was’t on board with Jude Law until I saw his GQ interview/career retrospective posted yesterday on CZcams. Jude is bearded and - wow - I see it now. It would be perfect casting!

    • @markcavandish1295
      @markcavandish1295 Před 3 lety +2

      Agreed... it must be Jude Law

    • @vrindam1247
      @vrindam1247 Před 3 lety +2

      Unfortunately, there is an adaptation coming up with Kenneth Branagh playing Count Rostov

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas Před 3 lety +2

      @@vrindam1247 🤦‍♀️

  • @calicocarlA
    @calicocarlA Před 5 lety +10

    One of my all time favorite books! I visited Moscow once but did not know about the Metropol then.

  • @mingtingwei5613
    @mingtingwei5613 Před 4 lety +13

    Love this novel so much. Alexander Rostov is the philosopher without doubt. Full of life wisdom~~

  • @janetcrane59
    @janetcrane59 Před 2 lety +4

    I am reading this now & don't want it to end. I could only see Clifton Webb as The Count. Such a well constructed book with deep characters and a story line that never seems contrived.

  • @glendaricord3160
    @glendaricord3160 Před 4 lety +7

    A Gentleman in Moscow is a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to discuss it. Great video.

  • @muhlenstedt
    @muhlenstedt Před rokem +2

    one of my favorites book, the author is very sucessul by mixing history, humanity and culture. The central character is charming and witty.

  • @stresspresso
    @stresspresso Před 3 lety +7

    I had just finished the book this morning.
    What a delightful story.
    but that desert tray, sitting so askew would cause Emile, the Bishop, and Andrey to lose their minds.
    how was that sent out to the diners?

  • @khadijasaadallah5050
    @khadijasaadallah5050 Před 4 lety +7

    Excellent book and brilliant writing

  • @johnjansson7513
    @johnjansson7513 Před 6 lety +37

    I just finished listening to this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found many interesting lessons from the experiences of the characters. I am in a similar situation to the protagonist of the story as I too am trapped in my own home, however cancer recovery is the barrier which holds me in. The protagonist's resolve to "master one's circumstances or else be mastered by them" was particularly uplifting for me.

    • @SammyCee23
      @SammyCee23 Před 5 lety +3

      May I ask the most profound lesson you learned from this novel?

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas Před 3 lety +4

      I’m reading this now during the pandemic and having the same thoughts. Hope you’re still well.

    • @juenige
      @juenige Před 3 lety +1

      I hope you are well. I am reading during the pandemic, so it was uplifting to me also, but in a different manner.

    • @catherinenunan3584
      @catherinenunan3584 Před rokem

      @@SammyCee23 for me it is the one that the Countess and her nephew discuss right at the beginning. Never let your circumstances define you or your response to them. Continue as the person that you are.

  • @sangeetadasappa1947
    @sangeetadasappa1947 Před 3 lety +4

    The book is an absolute Delight! Loved it

  • @svetlanazavialova6036
    @svetlanazavialova6036 Před 4 lety +9

    I did work in Metropol a very long time ago. And i love very much this time. Now i live in Australia and very much my life in Australia.... Isnt funny ?

  • @joeomalley2835
    @joeomalley2835 Před 4 lety +5

    I'm currently reading and really enjoying this book. I love the style of this book as well. Good interview.

  • @reiner164
    @reiner164 Před 2 lety +3

    One of the better novels written this century

  • @aragamsubbarao5912
    @aragamsubbarao5912 Před 2 lety +2

    Excellent.

  • @MichaelBrady504
    @MichaelBrady504 Před 5 lety +25

    Lucy Feldman interviews Amor Towles with the same enthusiasm as taking a nap.

    • @summer_poems
      @summer_poems Před 5 lety +12

      Indeed. He is such an interesting person, but she doesn't mirror any of his energy or enthusiasm for his own book, making this interview rather bland, whereas a more sophisticated and tuned-in interviewer could have made the discussion far more riveting.

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas Před 3 lety +5

      @@summer_poems she didn’t read the book, I’m assuming.

    • @markcavandish1295
      @markcavandish1295 Před 3 lety +2

      @@summer_poems she’s very young... and will certainly look back at this interview a dozen years from now wishing she could do it again. She is a delight to look at though.

  • @franm.8343
    @franm.8343 Před rokem

    I loved this book, I was thinking back to the scene in the Metropole Hotel room where a senior ranking Russian General requested Alexander's help on fine dining and etiquette. It was written so vividly and well, I was able to see it clearly in my mind, like a scene from a film clip, feel the tension in the room and the humour too.
    P.S. I am desperate to see it as a series, has it been released yet?

  • @kirkworrell8652
    @kirkworrell8652 Před rokem +1

    Wonderful book

  • @tupilwesinyangwe5098
    @tupilwesinyangwe5098 Před 4 lety +4

    Such a great book, good read this one is!

  • @mikef2813
    @mikef2813 Před 3 lety +2

    Great book!

  • @garnetnewton-wade4091
    @garnetnewton-wade4091 Před 8 měsíci

    Among the best books I have ever read.

  • @pchumsky4078
    @pchumsky4078 Před 7 lety +9

    I feel it would be interesting if he wanted to live in a hotel it would make a great character analysis

  • @Alicelorraine
    @Alicelorraine Před 7 měsíci

    I am reading this book atm I'm right In the middle it's such a good story would definitely recommend 😊

  • @maryw246
    @maryw246 Před rokem

    Loved this novel.

  • @jacquelineedwards4140
    @jacquelineedwards4140 Před 9 měsíci

    Very interesting.

  • @pazuzu126
    @pazuzu126 Před 3 lety +4

    I think he is just Greg Kinnear in disguise

  • @rijumukherjee1940
    @rijumukherjee1940 Před 3 lety +1

    How can I find the background music?

  • @banananerlandia
    @banananerlandia Před 11 měsíci

    Woah to go to Russia 10x!!!
    Captivating!!
    Beautiful book!!!

  • @marystout2870
    @marystout2870 Před 6 měsíci

    I think ill read that.

  • @portomendes25
    @portomendes25 Před měsícem

    I was there for Christmas Evening dinner

  • @scottreynolds7732
    @scottreynolds7732 Před 3 lety +2

    Are you really saying this never happened?

  • @ironichumorist
    @ironichumorist Před 2 měsíci

    Thanks for not bringing a serious interviewer.

  • @squamish4244
    @squamish4244 Před 6 lety +3

    Doesn't the book have an omniscient narrator? Or the narration evolves from strictly the Count's perspective towards an omniscient narrator.

    • @tonywalton1052
      @tonywalton1052 Před 6 lety +5

      omniscient narrator, but like most omniscient narrators - mostly the perspective of the count

    • @enamulcl9137
      @enamulcl9137 Před 5 lety

      valar A

  • @KatzMeow268
    @KatzMeow268 Před 2 lety +8

    Lucy! Sit up straight and get your elbows off the table and please act like you're interested in your guest.

  • @khalidalali186
    @khalidalali186 Před 6 lety

    The music anyone?

  • @willcwhite
    @willcwhite Před 3 lety

    Stylish man, but he forgot to tuck the back of his tie through the loop :(

    • @jamlane
      @jamlane Před rokem

      It’s a stylistic choice. See Bryan Ferry for an example.

  • @carausiuscaesar5672
    @carausiuscaesar5672 Před 2 měsíci

    Check out The Chekist movie for a full display of brutal Red Terror!

  • @alexandertyomin1808
    @alexandertyomin1808 Před 2 lety

    I wrote this book. I'm Russian. Interesting but a lot of fact mistakes. This man coudn't exist, probably author needs him to discribe the life in Russia, but it is not good method.

  • @donluasco7115
    @donluasco7115 Před 3 lety +2

    2020 Lockdown

  • @kirillseemann2513
    @kirillseemann2513 Před 5 lety +4

    Amor Towles admitted that the idea to write this book came to him as he saw some guests in a westeuropean hotel. But the plot is designed in Russia. It's a nonsense, very misleading. Too many empty fantasies.

    • @visitjoana4576
      @visitjoana4576 Před 3 lety +4

      Mr. Towles already clarified that "why" Russia.

    • @emiliabolsas
      @emiliabolsas Před 3 lety +4

      Inspiration can strike anywhere...

    • @hannahleila
      @hannahleila Před 3 lety +1

      What?!!

    • @patrickinsoho4777
      @patrickinsoho4777 Před rokem +1

      I can understand your point but many of those grand hotels are pretty generic. I have been lucky enough to stay at The Metropole when I was in Moscow (then part of the Starwood chain) and it was pretty similar to loads of other grand hotels of the same period. I could have been staying in The Hotel Alvear in Buenos Aires or the Prince of Wales in Paris. I can understand you objections to the book, but Moscow is a credible location for the hotel.