This is a remarkable book. It's the story of a man under house arrest in a hotel--where he spends half of his life--and how he finds meaning in the most circumscribed of lives. It's a skillfully written testament to the ability of human beings not just to accommodate themselves to fate, but also to find joy and satisfaction in limitation. While it won't appeal to readers who like their stories to move quickly from adventure to adventure, it is a lovely, contemplative and imaginative book that takes us back and forth through a man's life and shows us that beauty is to be found everywhere. A perfect example of how wonderful historical fiction can be, and kudos to Amor Towles for pulling it off with such panache.