A review by booksandbongs
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“I know that right choices by definition are the means by which life crystallizes loss.”

🍸REVIEW🍸

Rules of Civility is a historical fiction novel by Amor Towles based in late 1930s New York City. The story follows 25 year old Katey Kontent and her friend as they climb the NYC social ladder. 

This is the only book from Amor Towles I hadn’t read yet and knew I wanted to finish it before Table for Two comes out next month! Luckily my Libby loan came in with perfect timing. 

Towles’ writing is vibrant and descriptive, drawing the reader into New York City with the characters. Dense but atmospheric, reading this made me want to grab a cocktail shaker and put some diamonds on. Someone described it as making them feel nostalgic for a time and place they’ve never been, which is spot on.

Towles beautifully captures the endless possibilities of youth, and the mix of emotions that come with being young. The story feels like an homage to New York City, music, and art. I love the way the plot is constructed, along with the thoughtful and poignant conclusions at the end. Towles lyrical prose always really resonates with me. 

I really loved this one. I can confirm he is an auto-buy author for me, and one of my favorite authors! Definitely pick this one up for a wonderful whirlwind of a journey. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Uncompromising purpose and the search for eternal truth have an unquestionable sex appeal for the young and high-minded; but when a person loses the ability to take pleasure in the mundane--in the cigarette on the stoop or the gingersnap in the bath--she had probably put herself in unnecessary danger.”