I read just enough to figure out that it's a sentimental feel-good piece of faux intellectualism designed to dazzle the reader with "profound" aphorisms and quirky caricatures that can be comfortably discussed at book club over glasses of white wine....so this ending doesn't surprise me at all.

Much like your comment....

I don't think it was too implausible for Sofia to defect, that wasn't an unheard of thing for folks during those rare occasions when the iron curtain was lifted. I'd say there is a bit of melancholy when considering the fate of many of the characters who take ideological stands against Stalinism (e.g. disappearing into Siberian obscurity, or outright death). That being said, I agree with your point that the ending (as well as the rest of the book) is distinctly American. The characters the book occupies itself with around the Metropol tend to be the individualistic free thinkers idolized by the west, so it shouldn't be too surprising it ends with a bit of western sentimentality.

I think folks looking for a bleak or darkly comic tome were bound to be disappointed by this one though, it's definitely more a cozy comedy of manners and light philosophical romp. Not every book that takes place in Moscow needs to be The Master and Margarita!

This book is like a comfort book for me. I love it. I don't think I'd put it up on a pedestal or try and say it's some deeply profound thing, I just enjoyed reading it. And there are some great characters and snippets.

"If a man cannot master his circumstances, he is bound to be mastered by them."

I agree with you about it feeling western, but it has a pretty nice mix of Western and Russian sentimentality. If you remember the part where the Count retells the story about what happened to his sister, it felt like a western Dostoevsky novel. From the carriages to the action, that scene was amazing to visualize.

It was one of my favorite books I read last year. I'm so glad I found it. Definitely a comforting book.

I haven't read the text of your post due to spoilers, but this is on my TBR next month. It's been collecting dust on my shelf practically since the book was released. I can't wait to read it!

i feel the book scratches the same itch Anastasia did for a lot of American (Western?) audiences. it is about a culture and history that not well known in the west with a bit of unrealistic charm sprinkled on top.