Explore thought-provoking A Gentleman in Moscow book club questions here. Amor Towles’ #1 New York Times bestselling book has had readers talking for years now.
You’ll foster meaningful discussion and get free printable book club questions to prepare for your in-person book club. Get started below.
A Gentleman in Moscow Book Club Questions
Below are unique A Gentleman in Moscow book club questions to get you thinking and talking about this great book club book:
Discuss the above quotes from A Gentleman in Moscow.
Was the Count lucky or unlucky to receive the sentence of house arrest?
Discuss the meaning of family in the Count’s life both before and after his arrest.
How did the Count’s sister influence the Count’s life?
Discuss the intersection between art (poetry, literature, music, movies) and politics in A Gentleman in Moscow, and in real life.
Why do you think the Count loves the movie Casablanca so much?
Why do such different characters as the Count and young Nina get along?
How do the various characters in A Gentleman in Moscow impact the very limited life of the Count?
How does Sofia change the life of the Count?
What gives the Count a sense of purpose in his limited life?
Is the Count’s life a “full” one?
How does the Count change over time, particularly due to his circumstances and due to Russian politics?
What were the highs and lows of the Count’s life at the Metropol?
In your opinion, what was the highest high and the lowest low of the Count’s life throughout A Gentleman in Moscow?
How does the Count cope with the lows in his life?
How may the Count’s life have differed were he not under house arrest?
How do you envision the Metropol?
What were your favorite descriptions of the Metropol?
Who was your favorite staff member at the Metropol?
Who was your favorite character in the Count’s life?
Was the count more in control of his life or lacking control in his life?
Were the Count’s circumstances due to fate, chance, or choice?
How does working affect the Count’s life?
Discuss the food and drinks at the Metropol.
If you were to eat or drink at the Metropol, what would you order?
Are you aware that the Metropol is a real hotel?
Discuss the importance of the passkeys both figuratively and literally.
Did you find any parts of A Gentleman in Moscow to be funny?
Does COVID-19 (and its mandatory quarantines) change your perspective on the Count’s circumstances?
Discuss Russian politics at the time period in which A Gentleman in Moscow was set.
Did you learn anything new about Russian politics?
How does Towles convey what’s happening outside the Metropol?
Did you notice any differences in the behavior of characters of different classes?
Discuss the role of gender in A Gentleman in Moscow.
Would you have tried to escape the Metropol?
Technically, A Gentleman in Moscow is a historical fiction book. Would you categorize it as any other genre or sub-genre?
If you were under house arrest in a hotel for much of your lifetime, which hotel do you wish it would be?
Did the ending of A Gentleman in Moscow surprise you at all?
Printable Discussion Questions
Download printable book club discussion questions to prepare for your in-person book club below.
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Why A Gentleman in Moscow Is A Good Book Club Book
- #1 New York Times bestseller with over 2 million readers
- In development to become a TV series starring Ewan McGregor
My Review: ★★★★★
A Gentleman in Moscow is a character-driven book that I consider to be one of the best of the 21st century. Its clever storyline involves a Russian aristocrat under house arrest in a hotel for decades, beginning in 1922 in Moscow. Its complex layers make it the type of book the reader savors and continues to think about years afterward.
Not just historical fiction, it also ventures into romance, political thrills, family drama, and more, along with colorful characters including a young girl, a famous actress, and hotel staff.
Like any grand hotel, the Metropol is filled with secret compartments, a wine cellar, elegant stationery, and other descriptions that breathe life into it.
Both the Count and his life in the Metropol hotel, feel real to the reader by the time the last page is turned, and that feeling never fades.
Book Club Ideas
- Amor Towles recommends eating the Latvian stew that the Count enjoys in the Piazza.
- Recreate and drink one of the Metropol bartender’s colorful cocktails: Goldenrod, the Robin’s Egg, the Brick Wall, and the Christmas Tree.
- Learn more about the (real) Metropol Hotel.
- Read more from Amor Towles, or Russian greats Tolstoy and Chekhov.
- Watch Casablanca.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles teaches that one can find purpose and joy despite life’s limitations, emphasizing the importance of resilience, friendships, and change. Through Count Rostov’s story, the novel shows that you can flourish even in constrained circumstances.
At the end of A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, the woman at the inn is Anna Urbanova, a celebrated Russian actress and Count Alexander Rostov’s love interest. Their meeting marks a hopeful end to the Count’s story.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles centers on the life of Count Alexander Rostov, who is confined to the Metropol Hotel for decades. It explores themes of resilience and finding purpose within constraints, showing how one can thrive despite external limitations.
In A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Nina entrusts her daughter, Sofia, to Count Alexander Rostov’s care when her husband is detained by Soviet authorities. Nina’s fate remains unclear, as she becomes involved in political upheavals.
Conclusion
These A Gentleman in Moscow book club questions help you discuss a memorable tale of resilience and self-discovery, all within the confines of the Metropol Hotel. Whether you’re discussing the beauty of routine in confinement or the evolution of friendships over decades, these prompts lead you to enlightening and heartfelt discussions.
If your club loved this book and wants to read a similar book club book next, check out:
– The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Discussion Questions for a historical fiction narrative of found family amid constraints
– Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Discussion Questions for an epic saga of friendship and video games
Keep the discussion going! Share your thoughts on A Gentleman in Moscow or any remaining questions you have in the comments below.
