Reviews with content warning for Car accident - Rules of Civility

definitely a relaxing book, ive come to realize that in these historical stories theres like rarely any plot just vibes. and that was this book was, a big vibe. the characters were interesting and i liked seeing the main characters growth in her career but idk i really dont know how i felt about this my thoughts are empty

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thebowandthebook's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Greatly enjoyed the book, a few sexual references diminished my pleasure of it The storytelling transported me back to the 1930's and was delivered in a very enjoyable style. I admire Towles versatility and always enjoys his stories, and this one didn't disappoint.

Tinker's sexual favours provided to his patroness was the big twist I didn't quite see coming until it was there, and I didn't love that twist but the story still progressed well and had me wanting to find out what came next

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mmefish's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

Funny how a rich middle-aged (white) man decides to write a book from a POV of a young working class girl just to completely ignore all if those attributes he himself set. The MC in question is kind of a perfect human (not like other women) but has no personality whatsoever.
Besides that, Amor Towels, for whatever reason, decided to take a dig on female writes more than once, praising men at the same time. Ah, and women in their 30s are, of course, past their prime.

I also don't see the point of setting the story during the Great Depression, because all the characters do is drink, party and spend money (the main character herself quits a job at a whim, immediately gets another one, and then another, even better one); so why not set it before the Depression? There is no poverty or struggling in "Rules of Civility" (as well as no plot).

P.s. there's a scene in chapter 21 that is the epitome of male fantasy. Just men-writing-women things.

P.p.s. there is another scene - with MC making out with an older woman. It came absolutely out of nowhere.

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