4 Stars from me
This book is certain to win awards and be on bestseller lists (deservedly so) for some time. So why the 4*? I’m comparing this, inevitably, with Towles’s previous work: A Gentleman in Moscow, which is one of my all-time favourite books. While both books are beautifully written and have incredible, well-developed characters, there was a quirkiness, warmth and an almost-magical setting in A Gentleman in Moscow that for me is missing here. There was also a biting wit. Rules of Civility, another for Towles’s books had the beautiful setting (that I seem to need?) but I don’t think the writing was quite as well-developed as these last two books. There are literary allusions throughout and the book feels pacy, even though it’s in excess of 550 pages, which is no mean feat. On the other hand, there are certain elements of the book that feel unbelievable – whether that’s by virtue of the coincidences along the way or because we the readers are asked to believe that literally all the characters are well-read and beautifully articulate, in spite of their backgrounds. Overall, another delightful novel from Towles who continues to be an author who is an automatic must-read for me and in spite of the minor gripes above, is on my list of Highly Recommended novels for 2021.