This book is amazing. One of my favorites of the year. I had never heard of it when it was recommended to me. It's historical fiction, but it's Russian history, on which I'm not very educated. So, I was a bit hesitant at first; however, there was no need to be intimidated at all. If you've not delved much into Russian history, this is actually a pretty good jumping off point. 

The book follows an aristocrat who is sentenced to a lifetime of house arrest in the attic of a hotel after the Russian Revolution in 1922. His home is taken from him, he is stripped of his titles, and he is confined to this one building. (Side note, this makes for a good quarantine book!) The story continues through the creation of the Soviet Union, Stalinsm, WWII, the Cold War, and ends shortly after Stalin's death and the appointment of the new heads of the Communist Party - all more or less as seen through the lens of this one man from within the walls of his hotel/prison.

It's an excellent story and beautifully written. The author creates a type of narration that makes you feel like you being told a story by an actual person, who pauses the story for clarification, maybe exaggerates to suit the mood at times, and asks questions to make sure you are following along. Actually, this one might be good as an audio book for that reason! Either way,  5/5!! I'm so glad I didn't shy away from it as I was initially wont to do.