PLEASE NOTE: In the video, I say Duchess is the only perspective in the first person. I misspoke - I meant to say he's the only of the four travelers in the first person, since Sally's perspective is also in the first person!

@rebeccaharris4823

2 жыл бұрын

It would have made more sense to me if Sally's perspective was not also told in first person.. That confused me.

A Gentleman in Moscow is easily one of my favorite books. So comforting, so perfect.

Hi Olive! I am an Australian bookseller...have had an independent Bookshop in the Barossa Valley for 22 odd years. I was really impressed by your perceptive review, I have just finished the book and felt as you did, that it had too many threads and that it lost itself about 2/3rds of the way through. I began by enjoying it, but found the last third a real slog and was glad to finally be done with it! A courageous editor could have knocked it into shape and removed some unnecessary meanderings! Maybe then we would have got to Ithaca a little sooner and with more purpose 😊

I had watched this when you first put it out. I just finished the book and I see what a great review this is. Thanks

Thanks for your delightful, energetic, and thoughtful review, inspiring indeed.

I adored Amor Towles’ previous books and am looking forward to reading “The Lincoln Highway.” Thank you for your review.

Checking back in to say I have completed The Lincoln Highway and I loved it, even more than Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. I agree that a couple of scenes and even characters could have been left out, but overall I found the story engaging and enchanting. I became very invested in Emmett, Billy, Woolly, and Sally. I applaud Sally’s independence, strength and goodness.

Thank you for your review! I am looking forward to checking this one out!

I have been waiting for your review. Thank you! I loved both his earlier books and especially the writing. Thankfully, I already, read all three classics mentioned 😅

Such a thoughtful review. I have already bought a copy of this and look forward to seeing what I think. I have read both his other novels.

I just stumbled onto your channel, Olive. Love the content. Keep up the good work. Great review!

I really enjoyed this book so much. The short chapters made it a very quick read, even though its so long. I was so sad when it was done and I didn’t have anymore Billy and Emmet.

@MusicAdmirer

2 жыл бұрын

Don't worry, he'll do a sequel. They always do.

I loved this book soooo much! And I found it due to you having recommended Rules of Civility and I loved that, so I had to read the Lincoln Highway. I still have yet to read a Gentleman in Moscow. ❤️

I always appreciate your reviews. Lincoln Highway has my attention but due to its size I have avoided starting it! The story does sounds interesting but I feel like I want to read *Rules* and *Gentleman* first. Thank you for helping me along in my winter reading strategy with a new author (for me) and a few classics. ♥️☮️

I just finished this last night. I loved it, but going into it I know Amor Towles is for me a favorite author and I pretty much expect to love his books. I fell in love with these characters, especially Billy. And wow, you just said exactly what I was thinking, it’s not the comfort read AGIM was. I’m still processing the ending and coming to the realization that the ending wasn’t written yet and it most likely won’t be happy. I think you’ve provided a very thoughtful review, Olive. Well done. I loved both of his other books, I don’t think there is a favorite and I adore his newest.❤️

Based on your review, I may wait to listen to this on audio. I appreciate these in-depth reviews.

I finished this yesterday, and it was my first Amor Towles. I loved it. Im hoping to get to his other two asap!

What a perfect review, thank you!

This was such a good review! Thank you!

I've had your review in my queue, just waiting until I finished the book, and I finished it this evening! I absolutely take your points about too many perspectives/threads going on, but overall I ended up enjoying this. For me, even the meanderings were just so easy to read, this guy knows how to write. I totally missed the character from "Rules," I've gotta revisit to find them!

I just finished "The Lincoln Highway" today. "A Gentleman in Moscow" is one of my favorite books, I enjoyed "Rules of Civility" as well. I agree with many of your thoughts on this one. On the whole I did enjoy it. and am excited to read more from Amor Towles.

I can’t wait to read this, loved the teo other books so muh 😍

Oh I didn’t pick this as my bom due to size but seems like I should have picked it anyways. I’ve read all those classics so that’s a good sign. Thanks for the detailed review! 🧡

I’ve just finished this book. Literally seconds ago. I just feel that the book was 200 pages too long. I enjoyed the characters of Emmett and Billy and became invested in them. The story arc was very predictable and by the final chapter I just wanted to finish the book. A good story teller but it should have been edited fat more robustly.

great review. thank you

I think I am still going to start with A Gentleman in Moscow first, but this sounds great too. ☺️

wow super excited to read this!

My spouse is a huge Gentleman fan-so I was pretty hopeful that he would like this until your later comments. Very thoughtful review, Olive. (I have not read any Towles yet, which I really need to remedy!)

I just finished it and found the character development outstanding. I really loved this book

What a great review, thank you!

@abookolive

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Hope it was helpful.

Can not wait to read this one!!

I gave this book 70 pages and put it down. I loved the previous two, but this one felt almost YA to me, and I couldn't work up any feelings for the young men. I'm sure many will enjoy it though.

interesting story! thanks for the review! your description of duchess and woolly make me think of of mice and men. and if it's anything along the lines of the count of monte cristo, i'm down! but i trust your review, and i'll pick it up if i find it cheap, but otherwise, i won't dash away to buy it.

Thank you so much for your detailed review. Now we are definitely keen on reading Amor Towles' previous novels. Just one (insignificant) remark: Actually we think it is two people "speaking" in the first person, namely both Duchess and Sally doing so. - Best regards from Potsdam, Germany.

A Character driven dark tinged novel,sounds like a place for me to start with Aor Towles. Thank you for this review.

I enjoyed your review of Towles’ new book, however, I didn’t find the last third of the book a slog at all. I couldn’t wait to learn how the threads of the four main characters were going to resolve. Yes, I felt Towles left the threads of the other characters dangling, but they were simply left behind on the Lincoln Highway.

Thanks for your review. I have A Gentleman in Moscow. Right I’m reading Columbine. Blessings.

I’m thinking I will pass for now. I loved Gentleman in Moscow. Having said that, I felt it was a bit too long. I’m afraid to commit to this chunker. Especially when it’s likened to The Odessy. Great review!

I have been looking forward to hearing your review for this book. A slam dunk (5 star) is what I was hoping to hear. However, I appreciate the detailed rationale you have presented as to why, for you, that’s not the case here. I still look forward to reading it. Characters without parents is a Disney trope. It allows characters to have unrestricted adventures. [Did you decide to finally read “The Gentleman in Moscow” in preparation for doing this review?]

I enjoyed it a lot, but I found myself frustrated with some elements that did not tie off, and for a character-driven novel, there is an uneven hand with characterization though dialogue is a strength. Duchess is very fleshed out. I loved the amassed Americana in every page. No spoilers from me, but I had hoped that sons would confront fathers. The ending left me thinking Towles was sowing the seeds for either a sequel or a Netflix deal. Towles has brought in Huck Finn, Faulkner and Kerouac, and in many parts it works.

Is it me but after reading this, I really want this to be a mini series!!

@shivkarthik803

Жыл бұрын

Me too! It'd be great if they could capture the setting of 1960s New-York.

Interesting plot for sure! Doesn't sound like it's for me though. I do plan of giving Rules of Civility a try next year though!

I am maybe at the 10 or 15% mark and liking it. So far it is reminiscent of This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, which I loved. I have read Rules of Civility and thought it superb. I found A Gentleman in Moscow to be very good. I will watch the rest of the video after I finish reading The Lincoln Highway.

I am saving this book for a snowstorm in Delaware.

Thanks for this. I want to say a couple of things. I am about halfway through the novel. I have very mixed feelings about it. I did prefer Gentleman, and I accept that lightning doesn’t always strike in the same place. But we are here expected to indulge the writer over and above the call of duty. The writing is brilliant, and it is digressive like Tristan Shandy; but the book uses several devices repeatedly (and draws more heavily on Fitzgerald, which made me wince once or twice). Maybe I will see it coming together; or maybe the tangents are really the substance of the novel. But Gentleman had a crystal clear plot that the digressions supported. My bias might be that I could more easily identify with the count, for some reason, in a way that I can’t yet with these characters. Emmett is less vivid than the others. Duchess seems to be the main character. Peter

I’m intrigued by the character overlap you allude to between “Rules of Civility” and “The Lincoln Highway”. Did I hear that right? Can you share more, please? I liked Amor Towles’ first novel very much but have no time to re-read to figure this out. Kudos to you for making the re-read an annual event!

@DAKronman

2 жыл бұрын

Never mind. I figured it out. Wallace Walcott! Down to my last 35 pages and really enjoying this novel.

What are the loose ends? I think it was tied up very nicely.

Hi Olive, I received an email about a fundraiser which will feature authors discussing their books, Amor Towles and Mary Roach are two of the authors.

I haven’t watched your video yet but I really hope ( for your sake) that you loved this book. It is hard for me to pick up other books by an author of a book I’ve loved. It’s as if I cannot bear to find out they have feet of clay.

I loooove Lincoln Highway!!!!

I had to stop watching this video because I didn’t want to hear any spoilers. I’m currently reading the book and Emmet and Billy are heading to New York. I’m enjoying the book and would encourage others who find this plot interesting to buy it.

I’m half way through at the moment. I have read ‘GiM’ and loved that audiobook and also loved his short story available on Audible. I’m enjoying this but have to admit that finding the multiple perspectives not as gripping as what I’ve read from him in the past. Little nervous that you found the final third the least engaging. Wish me luck

I agree with you. Definitely not a page-turner but very well written.

Great review. Based on your criticisms and insights, I dont think I'll try this. Thanks.

Did you ever get around to reading A Gentleman in Moscow?

@nikkivenable3700

2 жыл бұрын

She said it wasn’t as good as Rules of Civility.

very nice Thank you

You sound like a news reporter. You defiantly have a voice for media.

This book is mistitled. It should be called "The Lincoln Highway, Part I." There, I fixed it. :)

A former investment banker who straight away becomes a successful writer with no struggle along the way. It appears that he's had no book publication rejections or any other writing struggles, criticisms along the the way just a smooth transition from slick, wealthy investment banker to top selling writer. No wonder the book lacks depth. It's ingratiating but meanders all over the place.

You’re awesome 😎

Sounds like he might also have been influenced by "Of Mice and Men"?

@kathykovach9937

Жыл бұрын

That was my thought...

@huntrrams

Жыл бұрын

I got Lots influence from Steinbeck

Great review. I’m not a fan of this author, but the book does sound interesting.

I was waiting for your review to appear before deciding if I'd buy this book or not. Thank you for this review! Based on what you said I don't think I'll like it so much

Dark is good.

Hey Olive. I've recently self-published my first horror novel. Would you be interested in reviewing it? Struggling with book reviews and exposure etc. Thanks.

Hey

Having an eight-year-old boy subjected to cross country road trips with immature maladjusted teenage boys is criminal. Billy is exposed to danger again and again. And the author doesn’t explain, in any acceptable way, his brother’s lack of good judgment. I don’t get it.

I looked for reviews because I am bogged down in the middle...the road is too long. My complaints are, too many males hardly any women, and too many different voices, points of view...I loved a Gentleman in Moscow, had no expectations, but this one needed a stern editor...

Not for me.