I love this Gentleman (in Russia)

Having delighted in the entertaining romp that is Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, I’ve come late to A Gentleman in Moscow. I’ll hold the Count in memory as one of the best drawn literary characters I’ve had opportunity to know.

A gentleman, indeed, a dignified, intelligent, crafty soul who exemplifies “Stone walls do not a prison make nor iron bars a cage” – that is Count Rostov. Gaining insight into himself and the world, he lives 32 years within the Hotel Metropol, Moscow. While no cage is literally presented in the novel, an endlessly revolving door through which the Count could not travel, kept him captive. What crime did he commit in 1922 to deserve such punishment.

What beauty in the turn of a phrase, the witticisms of Towles and the Count, the interplay of ordinary workers who combine to populate a seemingly unfathomable world within four walls all captivated my imagination and kept me turning pages. Delightful conversations held me captive.

I love allusions, innuendo, and irony in literature and this novel overflows. Casablanca, the movie with Humphrey Bogart, is one of the final references while novels like Tolstoy’s War and Peace along with Anna Karenina, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Checkov’s The Cherry Orchard take their turn (Thank you Meta Wallace-freshman literature HSU). Watching Casablanca along with the novel's characters, I heard the dialogue and visualized Rick and his admonition to the pianist, Sam.

The beauty that was Russia as in Fabrege' eggs of St. Petersburg, and how and why it changed and what an impact the 1950s and 1960s would have on the country’s culture, as told by a novelist, was mesmerizing. Even America was spotlighted from the novelist’s and an eastern viewpoint.

As in a romance novel, I wanted the Count’s ladies, Nina, Sophia, Marina, and Anna to be his salvation. My prayer was answered when the Chief Administrator, a bad-guy at the novel’s beginning, advised his patrolmen to “round up the usual suspects.”

The novel has become a favorite. In the time of war, even Casablanca offers hope. When Rick sets up the cocktail glass on a customer’s table, “the glass having been knocked over in the midst of the turmoil and commotion of the skirmish,” Towles reminds the reader that “…essential faith (that comes) by the smallest of one’s actions can restore some sense of order to the world”

Bracketology by Frank Sinatra (My Way) - the fun way to play

I have all 4 of the Final Four teams in my bracket.  Here's how - Wait for it!

(In understanding, camaraderie, and response to Philip and Karen Martin (Ark Dem-Gaz) who confessed to three brackets and former sports reporting in days of yore and boasts that his bracket (one of them) is still "alive and well.") So is my bracket. I fill out my bracket by rounds (oh, yes, I do) and by association to basketball history and tradition.

I was 26-6 after round one, all due to my Bracketology of association with my sons, my BHS Panthers, Memphis, Arkansas, or the old SWC. Brilliant Strategy.

As an example or two in the first round - Richmond was a solid pick because a former Bartlett HS athlete was signed by the Spiders and he played there until he transferred to Ole Miss. Tennessee because I have money invested in that school as my son lived in the athletic offices, choosing athletics over academics, for a few semesters. Arizona because of Josh Pastner and Houston because U of M Tigers had beaten them this season. Of course, Memphis and Arkansas, Baylor because of  Chip and Joanna, Talya, and SWC, and KY to go down in flames because of Calipari  and his duck run under cover of darkness and suspicion to KY from U of M.

The second round was a doozie. I had Miami coming out because son had the hoodie and as a toddler referred to the team as "my mammy." Don Johnson was another good reason to choose Miami (Miami Vice). Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio because the states have three vowels (Wordle) and because I detest LSU. Sentiment went to UTChattanooga but who are we kidding. TTech was old SWC and of course Arkansas.

Texas is OUT,  just because. 

I only had nine wins going to the Sweet 16.

But, I have 7 of the elite 8 - Arkansas (yes, indeed), Duke (former BHS student is alum. He is son of a classmate from Henderson State), UNC (love Roy Williams who came to BHS on a recruiting trip and was so very kind to our students. And  Papa Smurf), Houston is in Memphis' conference, NOVA (Memphis State vs Villanova in 1985). Never had the Peacocks even though my granddaughter loves the colorful birds and we have cousins in New Jersey. 

Kansas (U of M vs Kansas. Jayhawks won in Memphis' season of shame), and My-Mammy plus Don Johnson. 

That brings me to the final four - Duke (really - even with Elvis-haired Coach K whose voice kills me), UNC (love the Carolina Blue and son has a blanket and jersey). NOVA because Dana Kirk sucked on his ring instead of coaching the Tigers and NOVA went on to the finals in 1985. And, KS because the Jayhawks can out-fight a pelican.

 My final answer for winner - prior to any of the Final Four contests, without any phone-a-friend or survey is Kansas. Easy pick - Jayhawks can torment the Devil out of an Elvis-impersonator's team. And because Kansas is a part of ARKansas. 

I rest my case.