Title: Rules of Civility
Author: Amor Towles
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Length: 355 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
***My Review***
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles is a captivating novel that tells the story of Katey Kontent, a young woman in New York City in the late 1930s. The book is set against the backdrop of the city’s high society, where Katey navigates love, friendship, and ambition. Towles’ writing is a standout feature of the novel, with elegant prose and vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the world he has created. The setting of 1930s New York City, with its jazz bars, speakeasies, and high society parties, is almost a character in its own right.
The novel opens on New Year’s Eve in 1937, with Katey and her friend Eve at a jazz bar in Greenwich Village. They meet the charming and enigmatic Tinker Grey, who becomes a central figure in the novel. From there, the story jumps back in time to the summer of 1938, when Katey and Eve are working as secretaries in a law firm. Through a chance encounter with Tinker, the two young women are drawn into the glamorous world of New York’s elite.
One of the novel’s strengths is its cast of characters. Katey is a compelling protagonist, smart and ambitious but also vulnerable and flawed. Her friendship with Eve is a central focus of the story, and their relationship is both complex and authentic. Tinker Grey is a fascinating character, a charming and mysterious figure who is not quite what he seems. The novel is populated with a host of other interesting characters, from wealthy socialites to struggling artists.
At its heart, Rules of Civility is a novel about class and social mobility. Katey and Eve are both working-class women who are striving to make a better life for themselves in a world where social status is everything. Tinker, too, is a character who is obsessed with status and is constantly trying to reinvent himself. Through their experiences, the novel explores the complicated ways in which social class shapes our lives and our relationships.
Another theme that runs through the novel is the idea of reinvention. All of the main characters are trying to create new identities for themselves in some way. Katey and Eve are trying to rise above their working-class backgrounds, while Tinker is constantly trying to reinvent himself in order to achieve a higher social status. The novel explores the ways in which we can reinvent ourselves, both for better and for worse.
The novel is also a love letter to New York City. Towles clearly has a deep affection for the city and its history, and his descriptions of the city’s streets, buildings, and landmarks are lovingly rendered. The novel captures the energy and excitement of the city in the late 1930s, as well as its darker underbelly.
Towles’ attention to detail is impressive, and readers will find themselves fully immersed in the world he has created. The setting is almost a character in its own right, with its jazz bars, speakeasies, and high society parties. Towles’ writing is elegant and evocative, painting a vivid picture of New York City in the late 1930s.
One of the few weaknesses of the novel is its ending, which feels somewhat rushed and unsatisfying. After spending so much time immersing readers in the world of the novel, the resolution feels a bit abrupt. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent book.
Some readers may find the pacing slow or the characters unrelatable. However, for fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy immersing themselves in the world of a novel, Rules of Civility is a must-read.
As a reader, you can feel the author’s passion for the subject matter and attention to detail. The novel is well-researched, and Towles’s knowledge of the time period is impressive. He seamlessly blends historical events and figures into the story, adding depth and richness to the narrative.
In conclusion, “Rules of Civility” is a beautifully written and engrossing novel that transports readers to a bygone era. Its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and elegant prose make it a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Despite its minor flaws, the novel is a masterful debut from Amor Towles and cements his place as one of the most exciting new voices in fiction.