Hotel Moscow by Talia Carner

Hotel Moscow

by Talia Carner

From the author of Jerusalem Maiden comes a mesmerizing, thought-provoking novel that tells the riveting story of an American woman-the daughter of Holocaust survivors-who travels to Russia shortly after the fall of communism, and finds herself embroiled in a perilous mafia conspiracy that could irrevocably destroy her life. Brooke Fielding, a thirty-eight year old New York investment manager and daughter of Jewish Holocaust survivors, finds her life suddenly upended in late September 1993 when her job is unexpectedly put in jeopardy. Brooke accepts an invitation to join a friend on a mission to Moscow to teach entrepreneurial skills to Russian business women, which will also give her a chance to gain expertise in the new, vast emerging Russian market. Though excited by the opportunity to save her job and be one of the first Americans to visit Russia after the fall of communism, she also wonders what awaits her in the country that persecuted her mother just a generation ago. Inspired by the women she meets, Brooke becomes committed to helping them investigate the crime that threatens their businesses.
But as the uprising of the Russian parliament against President Boris Yeltsin turns Moscow into a volatile war zone, Brooke will find that her involvement comes at a high cost. For in a city where "capitalism" is still a dirty word, where neighbors spy on neighbors and the new economy is in the hands of a few dangerous men, nothing Brooke does goes unnoticed-and a mistake in her past may now compromise her future. A moving, poignant, and rich novel, Hotel Moscow is an eye-opening portrait of post-communist Russia and a profound exploration of faith, family, and heritage.

Reviewed by Lynn on

5 of 5 stars

Share
Having studying 20th century Russian history in high school, this title piqued my interest because this book is based after the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union; some years after I finished my education. The fact the plot is built around some of the author's own experiences at this time added to my curiosity.

Bertha Feldman or Brooke Fielding as she's now called is the daughter of two Russian Jewish holocaust survivors who escaped to America. Growing up was difficult as she was burdened by her older parents experiences whilst wanting to embrace her cultural background. She escaped and move to the west coast to study at Berkeley but a change of circumstances meant she had to do all she can to survive; to achieve her goals.
Years later, she jumps at the chance to go to the very place her parents escaped to help the women of Moscow re-build their lives and livelihood after the fall of communism, not realising that the experience would have a profound affect on her own life.

What shocked me was how quickly post-communist Russia turned even more sinister. I naively thought that the corruption came later, although common sense should have told me otherwise.

I loved Brooke Fielding's go-getting attitude even when the challenges became just too big and how easily she developed such empathy with the women she met. She's naïve to believe she can change things for the better for Svetlana and the women at the factory. It is also interesting to understand how these women of Moscow perceived Brooke too.

“Thank-you for not judging me,” she whispered.
“But I do. And I find you an amazingly accomplished woman who's gone through a lot but never allowed it to defeat you.”

The romantic aspect of Brooke's story is subtle, but there all the same; Judd Kornblum...what's his secret?

The ending is thought provoking. Will Brooke meeting Sage? A relationship with Judd? Svetlana & Natalia's new life in Germany? The fact I have so many unanswered questions is down to the author engaging me sufficiently to think about what happened after Brooke arrived back in the U.S. I wonder too if Irina exploited the market successfully using stolen goods? What became of Sidarov?

Hotel Moscow is well written, intelligent and interesting read that kept my attention. A very welcome and enjoyable diversion from the fiction I usually read.

4½ stars

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher William Morrow***

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 May, 2015: Finished reading
  • 26 May, 2015: Reviewed