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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I read this because I absolutely loved Gentleman in Moscow, and I wasn’t disappointed. Totally different setting , equally well-written.
Takes us back to the late 1930’s in Manhattan. Shows the era through the eyes of the “haves: and ” have nots.” Fun, insightful and informative. Great read!
Really enjoyed it. Character driven. Smart.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It held my attention thru the entire book. I found it impressive that it was a story with the main characters being mostly women an the that the author is a man. It wasn’t the typical boy meets girl, they fall in love , get married, & live happily ever after. It was a more realistic than that. Read ND enjoy!
This book reminded me of ‘The Great Gatsby ‘ two decades later.
Beautifully crafted; completely engaging.
Loved it
Not really my choice of books. Slow start, but got a little better…
I didn’t finish reading..I was bored with it.
Too descriptive. Boring.
I loved this book. The characters were well developed and it left the reader questioning the “right thing to do”. I recommend this book frequently to others.
The authors twist of phrases throughout this book make it magic. While the story-line is pretty predictable, the characters are not. The main character becomes developed throughout the book and you wonder if her personality is a response to her environment, or was hard bred into her during her developmental years. Just wondering.. The side characters give extra flavor to the book, but you dont end up totally emeshed with any. It is a book of manners so to speak, and while my review of it may be less glamourous than the lifestyles within, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was blown away by Mr. Towles writing style. Lyrical, sometimes wordy (but so worth it!) hilarious, historically accurate, Intelligently written. My kind of book!. Read it cover to cover in 3 nights. I can’t wait to read A Gentleman in Moscow & Eve in Hollywood (if it’s ever available in the USA again.
Highly recommend!!!
Fun look at NYC society – very Dorothy Parker-ish.
Written before A Gentleman in Moscow, and not as good, so I was somewhat disappointed.
Loved this book, great read. 1930’s depression era NYC with 2 poor secretary friends meet up with a rich man in the jazz club and the rest is a ride up the social ladder.
I love his writing. He has the most beautiful prose that sometimes I read a sentence several times because it is so moving. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I was predisposed to like this novel based on my reactions to A. Towle’s novel, The Gentleman in Moscow. I didn’t realize until I began, how different this story would be –he writes a woman’s POV. The 1930s world of glamorous and gritty New York is one that will haunt me for a while, particularly as I read it while in Manhattan, and it’s a powerful look at first impressions. But I think the thing I won’t forget is how quickly lives can get entangled and how rich life can be when people care for each other. Towles is a gifted writer, and creates a memorable world.
Enraptured by the writing from the first page, then taken in further by the gritty and glamorous New York City of the late 1930s. Somehow both languid and a page-turner, this elegant period novel is relevant in the 21st century. Lovely and somewhere between wild, untamed, and savage.
I loved this book. It felt like I knew these characters by the time I was finished. It has been a few years since i read it, well remembered.