Two wonderful books! I read 'A Gentleman...' because it was on Obama's book list and fell in love with it. So it was with some trepidation that I hazarded the second book. While the setting appealed to me in the first book, this one didn't, at first glance. Once I was reading, all that changed. It's a masterclass in descriptions and the characters will draw you in, just as they did with the first book. I have to say, I can't wait for the next volume by the amazing Mr Towles.