Count Alexander Rostov is accused of writing a poem that encourages revolution. As a result, he is put under house arrest in a hotel. Initially, he is having difficulties coping with new developments. While in confinement, Rostov befriends Nina, a spirited young girl with passkey for all hotel doors. Nina uses the passkey to show Rostov all the rooms. Rostov is visited by Mishka, a gifted poet obsessed with happenings in Russia. Anna Urbanova also visits him and invites him to her room, where she kisses him.
Rostov goes through many difficulties, and at some point, he tries to take his life. Later, he is hired as a waiter. Nina grows to a beautiful woman and gives birth to a girl called Sofia. However, Nina vanishes and leaves Sofia in the hands of Rostov. Sofia becomes an adult and, together with Rostov, plans to escape the hotel. Eventually, the two manage to escape from Russia. While Sofia goes to Paris, Rostov heads to America via Finland. The story shows how social and political changes in a country may lead to the oppression of innocent citizens.
The story begins when Russia is transforming after social and political disorder. Therefore, citizens are required to adapt to new norms. Rostov is caught in the midst of political change in Russia. He is spared harsh punishment of hanging but is confined in a small hotel room. However, he manages to escape oppression eventually. Political change in a country is inevitable. People will always want to change so that their rights are not violated.
