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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I loved this book until I got about 90 percent through. It reminds me of a modern take of the Great Gatsby, 10 years later- the story follows Kate through the year 1938. Kate, a middle/low class woman in her mid 20s finds herself in the the midst of high society in New York and attempts to navigate it. I loved the pictures of day to day life in pre-WWII New York. This story was superbly written and made me feel like I was there. However, I didn't really like how one of the plot lines ended. It was a little too startling for the tone of the rest of the book. And while I appreciated the references to art and literature, it did seem like it was bogging the story down at many points, as if the author was trying too hard to make many high-brow metaphors.
4/5 stars from me!
4/5 stars from me!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Loved this. I enjoyed having a main character who is going through life so level headed, where there's evolution happening and life has its twists and turns, but although she is affected, she still has a sense of subtle surety. This was also a very easy-going read that I was able to read at a quick and steady pace, even though I'd say the vocabulary itself was not too simple; the writing style was descriptive and immersive and easy to connect with. The time period it's set in is one of my favorites too. Almost a five star book for me
emotional
informative
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:
Yes
Man this book was great! This was my first Towles book and I was pretty impressed. Though he didn't use quotation marks for dialouge, I found that I could adjust to it a lot easier. Kate was such a cool character! Pretty down to Earth in terms of 'main characters' but I liked how she got more adventurous in the end. I loved Tinker and Eve as well-- their relationship was so complex. I liked Tinker's saviour complex towards Eve. Do to the fact that he kinda sorta got everyone in a car accident. Also Wallace :(( man why'd you have to go fight in the war. You had purpose and Kate fell in love with you! But I liked the touch that she did end up was Val, one of Wallce's brothers. It was a cool full circle moment. Also Kate being a 'couger' to Dicky in that time MAN that was funny. Dicky was sweet. And then Tinkers 'god-mother' aka sugar mommy as the plot twist-- good on her to be honest. I'm exicted to read more of Towles!
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first 5-star read of 2024—didn’t take long at all!
This book felt like a decadent dessert meant to be savored. Initially drawn into the opulence and setting of the upper echelon social circle in late 1930s Manhattan, I found myself completely transported every time I picked it up. But what truly kept me hooked was our fierce MC, Katey, and the people surrounding her throughout the year. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, and I caught myself re-reading passages. I’m eagerly looking forward to more Towles reads and would love to revisit this gem one day!
“After meeting someone by chance and throwing off a few sparks, can there be any substance to the feeling that you’ve known each other your whole lives? After those first few hours of conversation, can you really be sure that your connection is so uncommon that it belongs outside the bounds of time and convention? And if so, won’t that someone have just as much capacity to upend as to perfect all your hours that follow?”
———————-
15% update: I have put off reading Towles long enough, and 2024 will be the year of his novels!
What an enticing prologue. I'm absolutely hooked-just wish I had a martini & a half dozen oysters on the half shell while I devour this book.
This book felt like a decadent dessert meant to be savored. Initially drawn into the opulence and setting of the upper echelon social circle in late 1930s Manhattan, I found myself completely transported every time I picked it up. But what truly kept me hooked was our fierce MC, Katey, and the people surrounding her throughout the year. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, and I caught myself re-reading passages. I’m eagerly looking forward to more Towles reads and would love to revisit this gem one day!
“After meeting someone by chance and throwing off a few sparks, can there be any substance to the feeling that you’ve known each other your whole lives? After those first few hours of conversation, can you really be sure that your connection is so uncommon that it belongs outside the bounds of time and convention? And if so, won’t that someone have just as much capacity to upend as to perfect all your hours that follow?”
———————-
15% update: I have put off reading Towles long enough, and 2024 will be the year of his novels!
What an enticing prologue. I'm absolutely hooked-just wish I had a martini & a half dozen oysters on the half shell while I devour this book.
Captivating from the first
I was captivated by Katey and her willingness to admit how human she was. Towles' characters are certainly flawed but they are artfully and generously depicted. Even those who seemed at one moment like the villain turned out to be another character doing only what they knew to be the way to move forward. I will not soon forget my journey through 1938 New York.
I was considerably impressed by Towles ability to depict New York in the 1930s having previously read A Gentleman in Moscow and been astonished and enamored with Towles depiction of Russia.
I was captivated by Katey and her willingness to admit how human she was. Towles' characters are certainly flawed but they are artfully and generously depicted. Even those who seemed at one moment like the villain turned out to be another character doing only what they knew to be the way to move forward. I will not soon forget my journey through 1938 New York.
I was considerably impressed by Towles ability to depict New York in the 1930s having previously read A Gentleman in Moscow and been astonished and enamored with Towles depiction of Russia.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes