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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Amor Towles’ Rules of Civility is Gatsby-esque in its themes and its pristine prose. The writing is close to perfection, each word chosen with such care and intention that the story is so vivid and engaging. Told through the perspective of Katy Kontent (lots of symbolism there), Rules is the quintessential American novel with a twist.
Often male writers misstep when writing female characters, but Towles’ plucky and formidable females characters take center stage and contrast the somewhat meandering, flawed males. Katy is self-assured and independent, rejecting the patriarchy not to champion a cause, but rather to be true to herself. She encounters challenges and navigates them with unwavering authenticity.
Rules of Civility is also a love letter to New York City, to the post-Depression/pre-WWII era, and to classic American novels and literature. I can’t stress how much I loved this and I wish I read it sooner. I will definitely pick this up again and revisit this gorgeous story.
Often male writers misstep when writing female characters, but Towles’ plucky and formidable females characters take center stage and contrast the somewhat meandering, flawed males. Katy is self-assured and independent, rejecting the patriarchy not to champion a cause, but rather to be true to herself. She encounters challenges and navigates them with unwavering authenticity.
Rules of Civility is also a love letter to New York City, to the post-Depression/pre-WWII era, and to classic American novels and literature. I can’t stress how much I loved this and I wish I read it sooner. I will definitely pick this up again and revisit this gorgeous story.
Great book. Love the writing by this author and am looking forward to next book. Society, intrigue, chaos, excitement in the 1930's New York.
I was afraid this book would be too slow for a good vacation read, but I was immersed from the first chapter.
There is no better book to read on a cold winter holiday afternoon than a tale set in New York high society in 1930s. Yet, I almost abandoned Rules of Civility at page 50. Two Cinderellas fighting for a Prince Charming? Not my thing. I am glad I continued. In Rules of Civility, Katey, a working class girl from Brooklyn, struggles to find her way into the New York upper class. The book does have the feel of Edith Wharton - the glamorous high society of New York, the hidden rules, the love, friendship and deceits. Amor Towles even had Edith Wharton show up in Katey’s imagination. Amor Towles is more modern, of course. Prince Charming is not who you think, nor is the fairy godmother. Be fitting to the era, all the characters love Jazz. I enjoy the authentic sounding dialogues too.
fast-paced
Beautiful writing, engaging characters. The story wasn't quite as tight as A Gentleman in Moscow but it was still magical. I expect to mentally revisit this story often...
The soft touch cover really freaked me out. Why is that a thing now?
Jazz, glamour, 30s-40s NYC, discussions about art, "girls" working as secretaries, nicknames that don't exist today like Tinker, money, love or something like that. It's got it all the ingredients, with slightly more depth perhaps, of a movie/bbc-type series that I'd totally be down to watch called Midnight in NYC or something. I enjoyed this thoroughly although couldn't help feeling that while the protagonist/narrator is a spirited smart girl, I had no idea what her personality was like. Cuz she's the every-woman narrator? I dunno why. Anyways, check it out.
Was on a list of must read books for the summer and it was good ish but not great. Like I kept considering abandoning it but the ending wrapped things up nicely so I felt less bad shit wasting my time.
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Amor Towles (author of the wonderful "A Gentleman in Moscow") had obviously been harbouring novel writing genius for a long time before he got around to this one. Set in 1930s Manhattan, with all the ambience of glamour, the smart set, dry martinis and clever, wry wit, it's a book to immerse yourself in when the everyday gets a bit mundane.