Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel
- Author: Amor Towles
- Narrator: Nicholas Guy Smith
- Length: 0.745138889
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 06-Sep
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, General
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about a story that unfolds like a well-worn map, inviting you to trace its paths with your fingertips—or in this case, your ears. When I first pressed play on *Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel* by Amor Towles, narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith, I wasn’t just stepping into the luxurious halls of the Metropol Hotel; I was embarking on a journey through time, history, and the human heart. As a travel writer who’s crisscrossed continents and collected tales like souvenirs, this audiobook experience felt like a homecoming—a chance to settle into a single place and let the world come to me, one beautifully rendered scene at a time.
It reminds me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on Earth, listening to *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. The surreal landscape outside my window blurred into Gabriel García Márquez’s magical realism, narrated with a voice that felt like it belonged to a wise elder by a campfire. Similarly, *Gentleman in Moscow* transported me to 1922 Russia, where Count Alexander Rostov, an aristocrat sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, becomes our guide through decades of upheaval. Towles’ prose, paired with Smith’s narration, has that same campfire intimacy—like a friend recounting a life well-lived over a glass of wine.
The story begins with Rostov’s sentencing by a Bolshevik tribunal, stripping him of his sprawling estates and confining him to an attic room in the grand hotel across from the Kremlin. You can almost feel the creak of the floorboards and the weight of the dust settling on his old life. What could’ve been a tale of despair transforms into a celebration of resilience, wit, and purpose. Rostov, a man who’s never worked a day in his life, finds himself navigating a new world within the hotel’s walls—befriending staff, mentoring a young girl, and sipping espresso with a cast of characters as vivid as any I’ve met in my travels.
The themes here resonate deeply with me. Travel has taught me that confinement doesn’t always mean limitation—it’s about the stories you uncover in the cracks. In Oaxaca, I once stayed with a family whose grandmother spun tales each evening, her voice weaving magic into the humid air. She used silence like a brushstroke, letting the weight of her words linger. Nicholas Guy Smith channels that same mastery in his narration. His crisp, aristocratic tone brings Rostov to life with a warmth that’s never stuffy, a humor that’s never forced. You can hear the twinkle in the Count’s eye as he quips about caviar or philosophizes over a bottle of Château Margaux. The pacing—17 hours and 52 minutes—feels like a leisurely stroll through a museum, each chapter a gallery of its own.
Towles’ writing shines in its sensory richness. You can almost taste the borscht simmering in the hotel kitchen, hear the clink of champagne flutes, and smell the polished wood of the lobby. It’s historical fiction that doesn’t just recount the past—it immerses you in it. The Bolshevik Revolution rages outside, but inside the Metropol, life unfolds in a microcosm of human connection. Rostov’s journey mirrors the peeling of an onion, to borrow a metaphor from Mark Manson—each layer reveals a deeper truth about purpose, dignity, and the struggles we choose to embrace.
Smith’s narration elevates this already stellar text. His voice shifts effortlessly from Rostov’s refined cadences to the gruff tones of a Bolshevik officer or the lilting innocence of Nina, the precocious girl who becomes the Count’s companion. The audio quality is pristine, with no distractions—just pure storytelling. It’s the kind of performance that reminds me of those Oaxacan evenings, where the narrator’s craft turns words into a living, breathing experience.
That said, no journey is without its bumps. At times, the novel’s leisurely pace might test listeners craving action over introspection. The historical context, while richly drawn, occasionally assumes a familiarity with Russian history that not all may have. And while Smith’s narration is impeccable, his female characters sometimes lack the distinctiveness of their male counterparts—a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar performance.
Compared to other literary fiction audiobooks, *Gentleman in Moscow* stands out like a hidden gem in a crowded bazaar. Where *The Lincoln Highway*, also by Towles, roams America’s open roads, this novel thrives in its stillness—proof that adventure doesn’t always require a passport. It shares DNA with *All the Light We Cannot See* by Anthony Doerr, another historical tale of confinement and humanity, though Towles leans harder into humor and charm.
For potential listeners, I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a story that lingers like a good meal—think historical fiction fans, literary fiction buffs, or anyone who’s ever found beauty in the everyday. It’s perfect for long drives, quiet evenings, or those moments when you want to escape without leaving your chair. And here’s the best part: you can find this audiobook free through certain platforms like Audiobooks.com—check the sample at their site and dive in.
Reflecting on it now, *Gentleman in Moscow* feels like a conversation with an old friend—one who’s seen the world change but still finds joy in a well-told tale. It’s a reminder of why I chase stories, from desert roads to hotel attics: they connect us, transform us, and show us what it means to live with purpose. So, pour yourself a coffee, hit play, and let the Count welcome you to the Metropol. You won’t want to check out.
Until our next adventure, with a storyteller’s heart, Marcus Rivera
