The novel tells the fantastical tale and chronicles the life of a Russian Count, Alexander Ilyich Rostov, who was once part of the Russian aristocracy with close ties to the Tsar and Tsarina prior to the revolution. Due to his familial and political ties pre-revolution, plus his life of opulence that is now deemed symbolic of the old Russia, he is exiled. The full extent of the Count's punishment however is that he is placed under house arrest in the attic of the world renowned Metropol Hotel in Moscow "for the rest of his days," in lieu of being shot. While at the Metropol, he "masters his circumstances before his circumstances get the better of him." He befriends and interacts with a kaleidoscope of hotel associates and hotel guests, each of who are just as unique, lovable, quirky, funny, eccentric, curious, and extraordinary as the Count himself.

"The entire time while reading, there was hardly a moment that I was not smiling at the words in front of me. Cerebral, charming, delightful, and so wonderfully jovial, with moments of sadness and deep contemplation, 'A Gentleman In Moscow' is in my opinion a literary masterpiece. For serious readers of literary fiction, readers who have an appreciation for historical fiction, lovers of books that have solid character portrayals, serious readers who love an ensemble mix of characters that are each wonderful in their own way - 'A Gentleman in Moscow' is for each and every one of you. "
-Booksalottle