It has been some time since a novel has gripped me with its language, style, characters, setting, and plot all together. A novel that consumes me, whisks me away to another time and place, and sometimes even another me. When this happens, this novel must be shared.
During lockdown, browsing my kindle I came across a book I had promised myself to read more than a year ago, Rules of Civility. What prompted me to promise myself to read the book was the author, Amor Towles. His A Gentleman in Moscow had enthralled me, and I was thus keen to read something else he had written.
He did not disappoint with Rules of Civility. The minute I began reading I was swept away, there I was in 1938 New York City, and every page was a new delight. I enjoyed this book so much, that I was compelled to reread, something I have done for pure pleasure only a handful of time in my life, A Gentleman in Moscow. The second reading enchanted me more than the first, in fact it contributed to the mood of my Visit to Moscow post. Towles’ style is at once clean and descriptive enough to provoke time travel.
Join me for a private chat about the reasons I love this this novel which at once entertains and illustrates deep, meaningful life philosophy. A Gentleman in Moscow is a shining profile of life as an internal choice, whatever the external conditions. How I live them, whatever they are, this is always my free choice.
In this video I share with you three scenes from the book, highlighting how they relate to the concept of life as a constant series of choices.
Inspired in equal parts by a scene from a morning meditation and from Taika Waititi's series online reading of James and the Giant Peach. I decided to share my ideas about A Gentleman in Moscow in video form.
If you have a book you wish to share, please feel free to share with us in the comments. If you want to write a piece about a book you are truly passionate about, contact me directly at nicolecrabtre.food@gmail.com and let us consider the possibilities.
In every case, enjoy the books you find here and know that there are book lovers across the globe with you every time you read.