Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I loved this story for two deeply personal reasons. The main character reminded me of someone I knew who was once very wealthy and then lost everything. I always thought this person could never survive a life that was so "diminished" ..and yet to my utter surprise, he flourished. Just like the Count, he made the absolute most of every experience and would marvel about how delicious a meatloaf was in the same way he used to fuss over caviar. He valued his relationships, reveled in people's personal stories and celebrated when he found a good (cheap) bottle of wine. The other reason I enjoyed this book was that the Count's "hotel arrest" reminded me also of what it's like to age. I have older relatives and you can see how year after year their lives "shrink" as they become more and more house-bound. This story reminds us of the importance of adjusting to our circumstances and finding joy in our present situation- even if it's less than perfect.