Books Like A Gentleman in Moscow

Kazuo Ishiguro

Like Count Rostov, Stevens is a formal, principled man whose dignified narration hides deep feeling. Ishiguro's quiet irony and restrained wit will appeal to readers charmed by the Count's erudite, self-possessed voice.

Edith Wharton

Wharton's sharp social comedy and polished prose mirror the glittering manners and wry observation that make A Gentleman in Moscow so pleasurable. Its elegant irony suits readers who enjoy a witty, well-dressed narrative.

William Makepeace Thackeray

Thackeray's ironic, sociable narrator comments knowingly on his characters, much as Towles's narrator does. Its wit, wide cast and playful digressions reward readers who loved the novel's erudition and humor.

Wallace Stegner

Stegner follows two couples across decades of friendship, with the same patient attention to character and everyday life that defines the Metropol's community. Readers who enjoyed the novel's intimate, long-spanning portrait of loyalty will find it rewarding.

John Irving

Irving's eccentric family runs a hotel and lives within its walls, mixing warmth, absurdity and grief. Fans of the Metropol's vivid hotel life and quirky ensemble will enjoy its odd, affectionate cast.

William Styron

Styron's narrator is drawn into a circle of memorable characters against a backdrop of historical catastrophe, a combination of personal intimacy and public upheaval that echoes the novel's Russian setting.

Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

Told through letters, this warm novel of friendship and resilience during and after wartime shares the humane humor and generous spirit of A Gentleman in Moscow. Its lovable community will suit readers who valued the Count's companions.

Nina George, Nina George

A gentle, charming story about a man who finds purpose and renewed feeling later in life. Its bittersweet warmth and focus on rediscovering passion echo the Count's search for meaning.

Mitch Albom

A short, moving book about wisdom, friendship and what makes a life meaningful. Readers drawn to the Count's reflections on purpose will find a similarly heartfelt and accessible meditation.

Nancy Stanley, Boris Leonidovich Pasternak

Pasternak's epic follows an individual's inner life through the upheavals of the Russian Revolution. Readers who loved the novel's historical backdrop and its humane focus on personal integrity will find it a powerful companion.