If you’re one of the many readers who fell in love with Amor Towles’ captivating novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, you’re probably on the hunt for more books that will transport you to a different time and place, while still offering a touching and thought-provoking story. Here are some recommendations for books that capture the same spirit of A Gentleman in Moscow:
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
This novel, set in an upscale Parisian apartment building, explores the inner lives of two seemingly ordinary people, a precocious young girl and a middle-aged concierge. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book celebrates the beauty of the everyday and the power of human connection.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a poignant and witty novel that is both a meditation on the meaning of life and a celebration of the simple pleasures that make it worth living. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book invites readers to slow down and appreciate the small moments of beauty that surround us. Both of the major protagonists, the bright young Paloma and the subduedly intelligent concierge Renée, are looking for a purpose in their lives. and their unplanned friendship serves as a potent reminder of the importance of interpersonal relationships.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
This atmospheric novel is set in post-World War II Barcelona and follows a young boy named Daniel as he uncovers the mysteries surrounding a forgotten author and his book. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is filled with lush descriptions and memorable characters.
The Shadow of the Wind is a beautifully written novel that is as much a love letter to literature as it is a mystery. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, it features a protagonist who is passionate about books and the ways they can shape our lives. The novel’s setting in post-World War II Barcelona is richly detailed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the very end. The book’s vivid characters, from the enigmatic author Julian Carax to the charming bookseller Fermín Romero de Torres, are sure to stick with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Half, authored by Brit Bennett, is a poignant novel that spans over a significant period of time and captures numerous cultural and political changes. The story revolves around twin sisters who are Black and their personal journeys. The Vignes sisters grew up in a small Southern town and shared an incredibly close bond before running away as teenagers.
As adults, one sister returns to their hometown to raise her daughter, while the other sister lives far away, passing herself off as white. Their daughters must grapple with the consequences of their mothers’ decisions, and the sisters remain connected through letters. Despite being vastly different from the previously mentioned novels, The Vanishing Half is equally captivating and thought-provoking.
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
A Long Petal of the Sea, written by Isabel Allende, tells the story of individuals whose lives were significantly impacted by political persecution, spanning across different continents and several years. Roser and Victor, Spanish refugees who escaped Franco’s persecution in the 1930s, got married for convenience as they embarked on a voyage to Chile on a ship chartered by Pablo Neruda. As they settle in South America, they yearn to return home while grappling with the true meaning of the word “home.”
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Similarly, in the novel Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, a family’s journey unfolds during the same turbulent period as A Gentleman in Moscow, but the events take place in Korea and Japan. The story revolves around a young Korean woman who marries a kind Korean missionary in Japan when she gets pregnant out of wedlock. As a Christian and Korean family, they face severe persecution in Japan, and their struggles continue during WWII. In the latter half of the century, they achieve relative prosperity, but at a considerable cost.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This bestselling novel follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France as they navigate the dangers of war and fight to protect their family and community. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and offers a powerful meditation on the resilience of the human spirit.
The Nightingale is a gripping historical novel that is sure to leave a lasting impact on readers. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, it explores the ways in which ordinary people can find extraordinary strength in the face of adversity. The two main characters, the sisters Vianne and Isabelle, both find themselves pushed to their limits as they fight to protect their loved ones in a world that seems determined to destroy them. The book’s vivid descriptions of wartime France are haunting and memorable, and the emotional journey of the two sisters is sure to leave readers moved and inspired.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
This Booker Prize-winning novel is narrated by Stevens, a butler at an English country house, as he reflects on his life and career. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is a masterful exploration of duty, honor, and the passing of time.
The Remains of the Day is a beautifully written novel that explores the inner life of a man who has dedicated his entire existence to serving others. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, it asks readers to consider the meaning of duty and the sacrifices we make in service to a higher causeStevens, the narrator and protagonist of The Remains of the Day, is a butler at Darlington Hall, an English country house. Throughout the novel, he reflects on his life and career, which has been devoted entirely to serving his employer, Lord Darlington. As he looks back on his life, Stevens grapples with questions of duty and loyalty, and wonders whether he has lived his life to the fullest.
Like A Gentleman in Moscow, The Remains of the Day is a novel that invites readers to contemplate the passage of time and the importance of living a life that is true to one’s values. Stevens is a complex and sympathetic character, and his struggle to reconcile his loyalty to his employer with his own desires and beliefs is both poignant and thought-provoking.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This charming novel is set in post-World War II England and tells the story of a writer who travels to the island of Guernsey to learn more about a literary society that formed during the German occupation. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is full of memorable characters and celebrates the power of literature to bring people together.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful novel that is sure to enchant readers. Like A Gentleman in Moscow, it celebrates the beauty of friendship and the ways in which literature can connect us to one another. The novel’s setting in post-World War II England is richly detailed, and the characters are all distinct and engaging. The book’s epistolary format, told through a series of letters and diary entries, adds an extra layer of charm and intimacy.
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of Alma Whittaker, born in 1800 as the daughter of a self-made American capitalist who established a pharmaceutical empire. Alma has more opportunities than her peers and is a plain, reserved person who focuses on developing her mind and studying the natural world. She spends her life quietly and methodically, with botany and her family business occupying her time.
However, everything changes when Alma falls in love with Ambrose Pike, an artist and dreamer who introduces her to a world beyond measurements and microscopes.
This happens later in her life, during middle age, and it disrupts the contented nature of her existence. The novel explores Alma’s journey of self-discovery and her experiences with love and loss, as she navigates a changing world.
A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman
While this book is not historical fiction novel, it still has many elements that are somehow similar to A Gentleman in Moscow. A Man Called Ove and A Gentleman in Moscow have different plots and settings, there are some similarities between the two books.
Firstly, both books feature a main character who is an older man. Ove is 59 years old and the protagonist of A Gentleman in Moscow, Count Rostov, is in his early 30s at the beginning of the novel but ages throughout the story.
Secondly, both Ove and Rostov are initially resistant to change and the intrusion of new people into their lives. Ove prefers to be alone and is set in his ways, while Rostov is confined to the Metropol Hotel and initially feels trapped by his circumstances.
Finally, both books explore themes of community, friendship, and finding meaning in life. Ove and Rostov both form unexpected connections with others that ultimately enrich their lives and give them a sense of purpose.
Overall, while A Man Called Ove and A Gentleman in Moscow have different tones and settings, they both feature memorable characters and explore universal themes of human connection and the search for meaning.
These ten books all share a similar spirit with A Gentleman in Moscow, celebrating the beauty of everyday life and the power of human connection. Whether you’re looking for a mystery set in post-war Barcelona, a gripping historical novel set in Nazi-occupied France, a charming story about a literary society in post-war England or a contemporary tale about a grumpy old man there’s something on this list for every reader. So grab a cup of tea, settle in with one of these books, and let yourself be transported to another time and place.