Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As a student of Russian history and traveler to Russia for more than 30 years, I was quite disappointed with this book. I simply could not suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy this. First of all, though the writing was eloquent and beautiful, this particular Gentleman is not Russian in thought, character or action. He is more British in nature or simply a "generic aristocrat." Even the descriptions and back story of his childhood are more descriptive of the English aristocracy than the Russian. Generally, the pre-revolutionary Russian Aristocracy was self-serving, corrupt and oppressive. The Revolution didn't happen because they were an enlightened, progressive bunch. Secondly, the story simply could not have happened. The Imperial Russian elite were hunted down and executed or fled the country in the late teens and early 20's. The Bolsheviks spared no one, let alone a aristocratic poet. They even slaughtered or drove to madness many of the poets and artists that supported the early regime. The Red Terror of the 20's and then the Great Purges in the 30's would not have spared anyone. Third, the relationship he had with Nina was impossible. Her association with one of the "Former People" would have resulted in catastrophe for her and her entire family early in the red Terror. She and her family would not have survived her association with him let alone allowing for any on-going relationship. She would never have lived to be old enough to have a child because of her association with the Count.. Even if I could buy into it, the relationship could have been a much greater vehicle for illustrating and allowing the reader to experience the dark brutal realities of life in early Soviet Union, the reprogramming of youth and the obsessive, no-cost-is-too-great attempt to build Communism. Association with the Count would have also been a death sentence for anyone else in the hotel, including the staff. Likewise the relationship and "English lessons" he had with the Bolshevik leader could not have happened. The General would have been purged and shot for simply associating with the Count. In a hotel like the Metropole nothing was secret and every secret was told to the regime. Nearly every employee was an informer just to survive. Someone would have noticed and informed on the Red General. And a Red General would never have placed himself in such a dangerous position by seeking out the Count. Fourth, the experience of WWII, The Great Patriotic War, is virtually ignored. The Battle of Moscow and the utter destruction of most of the city and the trauma to every Russian family is completely neglected. The experience of the War is key to the country and culture that emerged afterwards and is perhaps Russia's defining moment for generations to come. Finally, and very troublesome to me, is why did he wait 30 years to attempt an escape. Why is there no mention of any thoughts, attempts to escape or appeal his "house arrest?" Not once. The story of Russia in the 20th Century is a story of human tragedy and at the same time a story of human beauty, survival and endurance. It is one of the most tragic 100 years in the history of any nation or people on earth. In this book, revolutions, famines, terror, two world wars, utter destruction and the start of the Cold War are glossed over while the author spends endless pages on descriptions of dinners, meals and wine selections. The writing is amazing. The images that flow are lyrical and gorgeous. But this is a missed opportunity to be a truly great book. Frankly, Russia, in all its beauty and brutal history, deserves a better treatment. Readers deserve to know and experience the real journey of Russia in the first half of the 20th century.