Another Kindle read for me, which, in this case helped because I can sometimes procrastinate on large-ish books. However, this book kept on moving, which kept me reading. The video below from the author’s website does a much better job than I can portraying the vibe of the book.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/183310610?h=37f98814bf
The joys of reading historical fiction are bountiful here; particularly in getting to know more about the transfer(s) of power in post-revolution Russia, and also the Metropol Hotel itself where I learned my father in law has visited.
Additionally, there could be something about single-setting stories that intrigues me. Where this book takes place almost entirely inside the hotel, one of my favorite movies, 12 Angry Men, takes place almost entirely in the jury room. Any more single-setting stories out there I can test this hypothesis on?
Over the course of Book Two, why does the Count decide to throw himself from the roof of the Metropol? On the verge of doing so, why does the encounter with the old handyman lead him to change his plans?
My point of view was not too nuanced on this question; the “purpose” of his life seemed to have evaporated for a brief moment. And the encounter with the old handyman may have helped the count reframe that very purpose, albeit unintentionally. It seems that “purpose” came fully back once Sofia came into his life.