The novel begins in
the summer of 1922 when Count Alexander Rostov, an unrepentant aristocrat is
placed under house arrest in Moscow’s luxurious Metropol hotel by a Bolsehvik
tribunal. Although he had a suite in the
hotel, after his sentence (for the crime of writing a poem) he finds himself
confined to a small room in the belfry.
He settles into his surroundings, initially thinking he can carry on as
usual. When he goes into the barber shop
for his weekly trim, he is in for a rude awakening. Yet he remains ever the optimist.
He soon befriends
Nina, a young precocious girl. Together
they regularly dine and play little games.
Nina has discovered all the secret passages within the hotel, and shares
her knowledge with Rostov. She has a
copy of the master key to all the rooms that allows the two to enter the
various guest rooms and offices as will.
Rostov becomes the
head waiter in the hotel’s fancy restaurant, the Boyarsky. He meets people from the “outside” and
develops strong relationships with many of the hotel staff. Nina grows up, marries and has a daughter,
Sofia, of her own. During a political
purge, Nina’s husband is sent off to Siberia.
Before leaving to find him, Nina asks Rostov to watch Sofia for a few
days. A few days turns into years. Rostov, concerned for Sofia’s future, uses
his resources and connections to plot a plan to protect the young girl left in
his care.
I found this novel
to be very charming. The characters were
well developed and most were very likable.
4.5 Stars
