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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Hard to believe the same author who wrote “A Gentleman in Moscow” also wrote this brilliant, endearing book. Loved reading every page; hated for it to end. The caliber of writing was, at times, so stunning I had to stop and just revel in the placement of words.
Certainly well written, but the characters did not speak to me in the same way that the Count from A Gentleman in Moscow did.
I truly believe the writing ability of Mr. Towles is excellent. I read his second book first and then ordered this one. I was not disappointed. He scatters pearls of wisdom throughout his books and makes one ponder what is being said and done on each page with a great sense of humor to boot.
Not anywhere near as good A Gentleman in Moscow.
I loved the language used by Amor Towles.
This was a beautifully written historical novel, that qualifies as literature in my book. It was written from the perspective of a woman in her 60s about her life in 1938. It has been compared to The Great Gatsby. Well, maybe not quite, but definitely in that vein. Rich people, poor people, the woman herself is driven and highly intelligent. It is not touchy feely at all, perhaps to the point of feeling like it was written by a man attempting to write as a woman. But he nails it time and time again. I loved this book and highly recommend it. The characters come to life and I felt like I shared their lives in that brief post-depression, pre-war period.
In this self-publishing age of hack writers and readers who just seek titillating consumption it is gratifying to come across a writer who respects and excels in the art of storytelling. Amor Towles is such a writer. He has a gift of creating sense of place and the social norms expected of people living in previous times. NYC in 1936 was not taken for granted by the privileged who grew up there or the wannabes who came there from the boroughs or the mid west. The author’s love for NYC and its eccentricities, diverse people, clubs, and music shines through the prose. A window into the lifestyles of the wealthy elite bring a Gatsby quality to the work.
Very different from A Gentleman in Moscow but also wonderful. Characters in NYC in the late 1930’s. Very interesting about the city, what was happening historically and the different levels of society.
I preferred a Gentleman in Moscow
Amor Towles immerses you in the social life of the late thirties in New York. Two young working class women interject themselves into the life of the upper strata of society. I found myself thinking of the characters long after I finished the book. Bravo Amor Towles!
Amor Towles writes so well that you can actually picture the places he describes. A wonderful picture of social life, on 2 different levels, in New York City. And who is not fascinated by life in New York City?
Great incites into the role of civil behavior. Don’t let the topic scare you. The plot is fascinating and surprising.
Beautifuly written, time transforming, wonderful book !
I want to be Katey Kontent! What a wonderful, strong female character.
A brilliantly written book that I enjoyed as much as the author’s A Gentleman in Moscow. Tells the story of a middle-class young woman making it on her own in 1938 New York City, and her exposure and insertion into the upper class of NYC society. Wonderful, believable characters woven into a web of complex and unpredictable relationships, topped off with wonderful prose. Highly recommended.
(my only complaint was the presentation of dialog using an em-dash rather than quotation marks. Seems pretentious and posturing, and was very off-putting. I’ll blame the publisher not the author)
I liked this even better than” A Gentleman in Moscow”
Amazing-I read this when it came out years ago . When you find yourself rereading a paragraph because it is written so beautifully, you know you have found a wonderful book and author.
Another intelligent and beautifully written book by Amor Towles, author of “A Gentleman in Moscow.” This one follows a young woman in NY in the 1930’s. Part coming of age take, part tale of two friends, part historic novel. Beautiful.
Well written and entertaining. A very fluid read with compelling characters. Highly recommend.
Loved these characters.