From the New York Times-bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow, a “sharply stylish” (Boston Globe) book about a young woman in post-Depression era New York who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society—now with over one million readers worldwideOn the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome … Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.
With its sparkling depiction of New York’s social strata, its intricate imagery and themes, and its immensely appealing characters, Rules of Civility won the hearts of readers and critics alike.
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Being young, single and free to choose one’s path is a good subject for an author’s debut novel. What Amor Towles has done is place his characters in 1938 New York, where opportunities are scarce and living conditions still harsh. Rules of Civility is not a happy story, though it begins happily enough. Katey Kontent and Eve Ross, two working girls, find themselves drawn into the social whirl of Tinker Grey, a sophisticated young man of wealth, charm and impeccable manners. But just as a possible romance appears on the horizon, a fateful accident plunges the relationship into darkness.
Katey, our narrator, is an adaptable young woman. With one foot in a boarding house, the other in Manhattan’s aristocracy, she seems comfortable whether slaving away in a secretarial pool or holding her own in a high-class restaurant, discussing art and literature. Influential people like Anne Grandyn, a rich acquaintance of Tinker, seem drawn to her, and when opportunities arise, Katey makes the most of them.
What Katey cannot see is that behind the rules of civility – the social customs humans adopt to make their interactions bearable – is a terrible secret. How she reacts to its unveiling will determine the course of her future.
The author paints a vivid portrait of New York City, slowly emerging from the Depression and unknowingly on the eve of a second world war. His writing is rich in its contrast between elegant hotels and shadowy dives. You can almost taste the olive-laced martinis or smell the cigarette smoke surrounding the jazz combos.
I was eager to read this book after enjoying Towles’s delightful second novel, A Gentleman in Moscow. Perhaps I erred in assuming the first one would be equally cheery. So I hasten to conclude that Rules of Civility, while it won’t leave you smiling, is well worth your time.
The novel contains one mild sexual scene and several instances of foul language.
Amor Towles is one of my favorite authors. His writing is thought provoking and has incredible depth. Sometimes when an author spends time writing a description, if he/she goes into a lot of detail, I may lose interest. Never does this happen in his books. His detailed descriptions actually capture my attention.The characters are amazing, you feel everything they do. And the plot twists are almost impossible to predict. I gave this book or his ‘A Gentleman in Moscow ‘ to everyone I could for Christmas last year!
Very different from a Gentleman in Moscow but o enjoyed the story.
Amor Towles has such a beautiful command of the English language. Thought this might be a bit too light-hearted, frivolous for me but before I knew it, I was sucked right into the story. Whimsical, entertaining, yes, but the under currents ran deep…
A Gentleman in Moscow started me on Mr. Towles; after this one, I’m a true aficionado.
This is the author of A Gentleman in Moscow, and one of my new favorites. His writing is so gentle and enjoyable. I have loved all his characters in both books.
I had the life described in this novel. Granted it was 30 years later and in Baltimore not NYC but it was my life then. I loved the book.
If you enjoyed The Great Gatsby and love New York, this novel, set in 1938 might be for you. Full of larger than life characters it has laugh out loud moments as well as great poignancy. I could feel the art decor, the gin and life in the fast lane oozing off the pages as people banished the depression and lived it up before WW2.
Enjoyed it but not as much as Gentleman in Moscow.
Like “A Gentleman in Moscow” the inner life of the major character is the driver and the choices she makes are demonstrated in how they impact others. I still have another of his to read and am looking forward to it.
This is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is elegant and very interesting.
B-O-R-I-N-G. Somehow, a reader just can’t empathize with any of the characters in this book.
NYC in days gone by and the educated amongst a spread of social classes .Takes you through the end of the depression with interesting literary quotes. Much in the first person coming from an immigrant background. How the successful lived, worked , met and played. Kept me very interested.
Not my usual style but now it is. Wonderfully written, a masterclass in description, a compelling story around interesting witty well developed characters.
I’m running out of superlatives. My first bookbub 5 star review, (i’m beyond stingy with them).
I really tried but it was just to predicable and boring.
Great read. Highly recommend
Enjoy this and then read his A Gentleman From Moscow – one of the best books I have Ever read. So good that after I read it on Kindle I bought a hardback for my library – a very rare occurrence.
Completely absorbing! Fascinating characters, unusual relationships, original plot–It kept me turning the pages as fast as I could.
I love the author’s writing. Great characters, great period piece
Beautifully written
I found this book confusing and not all that interesting. There wasn’t much of a plot either. Sometimes I felt like I was suddenly reading a different book. I also found the constant references to other books annoying and unnecessary as it added nothing to the story. Then again, there wasn’t much of a story. Disappointed.