A Gentleman in Moscow tells the story of Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Alexander is arrested and sentenced to life. He is to serve his sentence in a Moscow Metropol Hotel. He initially lived in the hotel’s executive suite but due to the life sentence and the new government’s policy to eradicate elitism, he is moved to a much smaller and low standard room that housed servants, compared to what he’s used to. Under the new regime, Alexander finds it extremely hard to survive, as he sees Russia he once knew dissipate before his eyes. During his sentence, he meets Nina, a little girl who lights up the room With her bold way of communicating with confidence and curiosity. Alexander keeps on running into Nina, and they soon develop an unbreakable bond. Nina loves to explore the hotel, and she decides to take Alexander on a few of those escapades. They discover new parts of the hotel that people don’t visit anymore. Alexander even finds a room interconnected with the one he resides in. He gets something out of these explorations which gives him a sense of adventure and desire for more. He turns the room into a study room that only he knows about. His life in confinement begins to feel less like a burden and more like a chance to rediscover his purpose in life.
Alexander is frequently visited by his longtime best friend Mishka. Mishka is an exemplary poet. He is a strong supporter of the new Russian Government. Mishka acts as a sounding board for Alexander’s frustrations over the changing Russian society. Years into his sentence, Alexander runs into a woman at the hotel lobby who is beautiful. Alexander and Anna get to know each other over dinner. They immediately fall into an on and off an intoxicating relationship. As Nina gradually grows into a woman, they interact less and less. Mishka is also not around as much as he used to. In the later years, Alexander is surprised one day when the labels on wine bottles are removed because of the government’s ideals to have equal value on everything. Alexander is continuously angered by the new regime's rules and attempts suicide by jumping from the hotel’s roof. A hotel staff working on the roof convinces him otherwise. He gives Alexander hope, but it is unknown if this is enough to fill the emptiness he feels. He eventually comes to terms with the change and decides to adapt to his new environment. Alexander meets different people of all classes and befriends most of them. As the years go by, Alexander has become part of the hotel’s main staff. He has become interconnected with the people that live and work there. He no longer feels empty as his life is full of people who love him. Alexander has built a friendship with Andrey and Emile. The three of them find joy in defying the government by using ingredients that are not easily available or otherwise illegal in Russia.
After many years, Alexander is visited by Nina who is married and has a child. She asks Alexander to look after Sofia until she can be stable enough to come and take her. Nina’s husband was arrested and put in a labor camp in Siberia. At first, Alexander has no idea how to take care of Sofia. They eventually become close and build a father-daughter relationship that is pure and full of love. Nina disappears never to return which puts Alexander in a position to step up as a parent to Sofia. Mishka finally returns after a long time and informs Alexander of his imprisonment in Siberia for spreading propaganda against censorship. Alexander later meets Richard, an American. They form a close relationship and frequently meet to talk about political, economic and social issues affecting both their countries. As Sofia grows up, she develops skills in playing the piano. She has been training with Viktor, an experienced Orchestra conductor.
Sofia is eventually invited to Paris to play the piano. Alexander uses this opportunity to remove Sofia from Russia. With the help of Richard who works at the State Department of the United States, they plan to move Sofia to the US under an asylum seeker. Before leaving for Paris, Alexander informs Sofia of her plan. She is devastated and scared but Alexander assures her everything will work out well. In Paris, Sofia follows Alexander’s instructions and heads to the American embassy where he meets Richard. Unbeknownst to Sofia, she is carrying sensitive documents that will guarantee safe passage into the United States. Once Alexander is notified of Sofia’s successful arrival, he also escapes the hotel, saying goodbye to his life in the hotel. Alexander goes to his hometown and meets up with Anna, who is as beautiful as the first time they met.
