Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Book Summary

BOOK SCORE
4.5
TOTAL RATINGS
3,998
BOOK PRICE
$12.99

From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lincoln Highway and A Gentleman in Moscow, a “sharply stylish” (Boston Globe) book about a young woman in post-Depression era New York who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society—now with over one million readers worldwide

On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.

With its sparkling depiction of New York’s social strata, its intricate imagery and themes, and its immensely appealing characters, Rules of Civility won the hearts of readers and critics alike.

Rules of Civility Book Details

Book Name Rules of Civility
Genre Literary Fiction
Author Amor Towles
Published 26 July 2011, Tuesday
Price $12.99
E-Book Size 3.18 MB

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Book Reviews

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Mkb3232

No plot but beguiling anyway. The writing is lovely. The characters engaging. But there really is no plot. At times I wondered why I was still reading. But I couldn’t leave Katey in the middle.

Loreleix

Rules of Civility. This book is very special and will stay with me for a long time.

Judyahk

Rules of civility. This beautifully written book was engaging, charming and a wonderful portrait of a special time in New York society. I loved it!

Suziefashion

Lovely read. Spectacular work of literary fiction. Delicious characters. Fabulous sentence structure. My favorite read since “A Gentleman—-“

Readingbythesea

Rules Of Civility. Came across this book by accident. I read the reviews, I have to agree and disagree with them. It was an interesting read, I lost some interest in a middle, but glad I kept reading.

LGWes

Do it up. Loved it!

Vassmy

Wonderful. Every word is magical.

Eleveniss

Beautifully written. A great read with insight and a compelling story. I could picture, smell and taste NYC at almost every turn of the page. I recommend this book confidently.

PT girl

Excellent!. One of the best books I have in quite a while! I shocked myself in how quickly I read it! I love the author's quick wit & delicate descriptions. I found it odd that no quotation marks were used, but eventually worked my way through that. Love the book & would recommend it to anyone!

Big redfish

Savvy and smart. Bittersweet story told with clear panache and reality based emotions. The characters are enticing and the dialogue quick and snappy. You are quickly immersed in the setting of New York city 1938 and it's a fine time of exploring the social mores of that era. If you don't smoke prepare to be an outcast! Ha

Another Phoenician

An ok book. I too was looking forward to this book after reading its reviews. The first five or so chapters are interesting and then it just kind of keeps going with no point or end in sight. I kept reading it because I felt obligated-- trying to at least get some of my money's worth. The ending is rather dreary. Some scenes are far too detailed. I was able to skip entire paragraphs and pages and not miss the story line.

SMCOLE

Wonderful on par with a Gentleman in Moscow. This book is so good. I loved a Gentleman in Moscow but did not like the Lincoln Tunnel so I did not know what to expect with this one. It was absolutely fabulous, entertaining, predictable but not predictable. I loved it!

TxRose80

Loved this writing!. Besides the intriguing story, character development and the richness of the descriptions of time and place, this author speaks with with such grace. Every page brought words to their highest use. Each sentence was crafted with the finest finesse. It was such a pleasure to bathe in these people's lives. They were so real, funny, philosophical, and even ordinary but all written with depth to them. New York became a jewel box, one I wished I could have delved into during those years.

Crbrew

Loved it!. One of the top books I’ve read this year. Loved it from the very start. Remarkably entertaining and informative of a simpler time gone by.

Ladybug1673

Excellent picture of 1930's New York. Great read!!

Lsdill

A Feminist Great Gatsby. Stylish and opulent without being too frou frou.

Finkels

Finally. Finally a great read. Each sentence was well written, unpredictable and interesting. Truly entertaining reading.

Left Out (objectivity)

Definitely a good book but not the masterpieces that Lincoln Highway and a Gentleman in Moscow are. This book has interesting characters and a sprinkling of the author's insightful philosophical view of people and the world on each page. It is more a book about people than a book with an interesting story. I would definitely recommend reading it but, without doubt, would recommend the other books 1st. Will definitely read his next book when it becomes available.

Dunnski855

A rare find. A rare find is a book that so captures my imagination that I can't put it down and when I finally do, I dream about the characters. Love Kate and this story. So blue when it was over. Now to find another as good...

Maryp808

Another masterpieceq. I am never disappointed with this author and wish there were many more books for me to read. His style of writing takes you into the heart of each character. I have enjoyed this book tremendously after being wowed by A Gentleman in Moscow.

Dschillinger53

Take Me to Moscow. Not many period novels can make you really feel what that time and place felt like. This does. And you’ll quickly wish you were sharing this time and this place with these characters. So engrossing, you’ll be sad when it ends and you have to return to your world.

Aunt Georgia

Rules of Civility. The end made we want to go back and read the beginning.

Ahuughe

Rules of civilities. One of my top 100 books

Nycsarah

Great read. Read this book on a recommendation and wow, did I love it. Such a great narrative and you really fall for the characters. Highly recommend!

Dee2019201920192019

Was hoping for something different. I was pleasantly surprised when Katherine the main character showed such class and restraint in the scene when Tinker first kissed her. But toward the last chapters it ended up predictable when things went wrong and she ended hooking up with Dicky. And her intimate goodbye scene with Anne, was that really necessary? I think Towles’s is a very good story teller. Kept me wanting to keep reading. Just wish he didn’t feel the need to make the main character so predictable.

Emmet Aloysius

Excellent. It is hard to put into words but I just enjoyed reading this novel: a good story with good interplay between interesting characters which keeps you moving along at a leisurely, carefree pace. Looking forward to his second book...EAF

MDN1980

Katey Kontent is a whole mood…. COULD NOT PUT THIS ONE DOWN. Such a good story, and follows the lives of Eve & Katey so well…

HK#4

Rules of Civility. This is the best book I've read in a long time...right up there with The Paris Wife...I miss it already.

NotaNickname2012

Wonderful!!!. Such a beautifully written book! It’s so rare to find books this well-written in this day and age. It’s definitely a great book for those that know how to read.

BeckyLittle

Great Book- Rules of Civility. Loved this book! Very hard to put down. Made you feel as if you were there in 1938. Wish we had that kind of appreciation and respect in our society today!

Asapr212

Lovely and Thought Provoking. As near-perfect duality as may be possible. I recommend it highly.

Momster Loves It

Rules of civility. Amazing

Marjorie8888

Exquisite. The writing was exquisite. I found myself re-reading paragraphs because I could not believe how amazing the writing was.

ColleenHess

Rules of Civility. I thought it was absolutely wonderful!

Ecdu

Boring. I could not finish half way into it I still cant talk now tell what it is about. Do not buy

K. Alexsandra

The book I will read again.... Making time for everyday life while reading The Rules of Civility was a challenge. Nothing matched the excitement of preparing to sit down for the next read! These are my celebrities, the ones who most intrigue and indulge.

Pearland_Peach

Highly recommend. Love this book. Interesting, sympathetic characters. Lots of touching parts but not cloying at all. I loved about an era I wasn't that familiar with and I leaned some new words! This is a book that I wish didn't end.

Jim4153

Rules of civility. My second time reading this beautifully written book. I'm so anxious for the author to share his talent with us again !!

Judy/Paul

Rules of Civility. A book with lines you keep revisiting. Marvelous

MissK29

Favorite!. I love the authors writing style. I was captivated from the beginning!

SPBerko

Rules of Civility. Excellent book, very well written. Not one dull page in the entire book.

Bebe_555

Brilliant and charming, in every way. I am a smarter, wittier version of my own life during the precious hours I spend in the company of Towles’s finely crafted characters. One of my favorite writers ever!

Marketing Mensa

N.mcdonald. Yes, I know it sounds trite, but it was difficult for me to put the book down each night before turning out the light. It goes without saying that story was great, but it was the insightful musings of Katey, her innate wisdom, which well exceeded her young age, and adherence to "the greater good" of those she loved -- all enhanced by the amazing prose which underlined it, which kept me mesmerized. Well done.

Kentucky Kid 69

Beautifully written book. Amor Towles is an absolutely wonderful story teller. Best book I have read in some time.

S Caroline

A surprising gem. Although read for a book club, once I picked it up it was hard to put down - though each chapter deserved some cool reflection. the language is exquisite and the characters remind me of a finely drawn black and white cartoon from The New Yorker Magazine. There is just enough information to see a line drawing - but not too much to destroy the illusion. The theme of an old early romance is one we can all relate to. How often we think back on those precious times. Where are they now? The saying goes.

Letopcat

Too precious. The names of the characters alone are groan-inducing. I like the period in which it’s set, so I stuck with the book. In the end, however, this is writing that wants to be admired and thought to be “charming.” No thanks

Bethesdachika

Disappointed. After reading all the high praises and ratings for this book, i was really excited to read it. I was rather disappointed with the plot. I found it to be very boring and over-detailed, diverging from the underlying meaning and theme of the story. I did appreciate the history of NYC as the background, however it was so boring I could barely finish it. I do not recommend this book.

VTmommy25

Sad to have it end. The characters, the writing, all of it. I couldn't sleep till it was done. I was sad to have it end.

Jane Mercer

"Rules of Civility". The messages are so interesting. A book so good to read twice"

Laithido

A perfectly polished jewel!. I fell in love with A Gentleman in Moscow first and didn’t think that Amor’s debut novel could reach that level of sophistication, but I was wrong!! This is just beautiful and so thoughtful. Every word written in this book has a personal resonance for me. I cannot wait for Amor’s next creation. Thank you!

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ColleenHess

Rules of Civility. I thought it was absolutely wonderful!

Miltongirls

So elegant. Extraordinary - best book I have read all year. Smart but not stuffy, you are transported to an era of grace and sophistication. You will quickly follow along in Katey's entourage becoming part of her inner circle.

Mensa lady

Rules of Civility. I read this in a day and a half. It was impossible to put down. Loved it!

Kdellison

Best best book I've read in years. The best book I've read in a long time. A real escape into another time in America. I was only sad to finish.

Jersey Shore Girl 1014

Buy this book. A fantastic book! The story was pitch perfect, the writing original and thought provoking. The characters felt like your best friends and the visions of 1938 New York were the perfect background. One of the best books of the year.

Jlolab

Loved it!. Started reading one afternoon and did not stop until early the next morning when I finished. I'm rereading random chapters to pick up details I may have missed the first time. Best book I've read this year!

KCWinkler

Really Enjoyed it!. I had just finished the French Wife and was left a little disappointed. I decided to try Rules of Civility after reading an excerpt and I was immediately drawn into the author's story telling. This is a smart and rich tale that I could not put down. I strongly suggest you give it a go! Fabulous!

Janches

Refreshing. This is a well written and engaging book. Characters with substance ( or not ) living in an era sadly behind us. Mr. Towles has the touch of Fitzgerald in his portrayals of people, place and time. Don't miss this one!

Book dweller

Rules of civility. As I had just returned from Manhatten, this writing struck an unusually close chord of simpatico. Katherine, Katie, Kate-never Kathy, is unflinchingly cast as the main character who's life follows an eventful, upward lifestyle. While the implausibility of so many of the old monied crowd seeking Kate's friendship and approval can seem a trifle farfetched, it is still delightful to succumb to the notion that personality alone can be such a powerful invitation to a relationship. The sharp repartee between the characters is highly entertaining and reminds us how rare such conversations are in today's society. Kate's moral compass is so highly set that I sometimes found myself wanting her to be derailed by either greed or lust, if only for a short while. But Kate proves to be the exception to the rule, that in a gathering of acquaintances, people tend to sink to the lowest common denominator in our midst. By simple association, whether they desire to or not, Kate's friends become better people. Visit Manhatten in the 1930's through Kate's eyes. Follow her while her relationships with Eve, Tinker Grey and a multitude of other interesting characters ebb and flow. By the end one would think that a definite decision would have been made by the reader regarding Kate's choices for her life, but when the novel was placed on the nightstand, my ambivalence was disconcerting.

Reads Anything

Loved it. Loved everything about this novel. Everything. I groaned out loud when I finished it; I did not want it to end.

Ray2You

Wonderful journey. What can I tell you - I really enjoyed this book. One day I'll re-read it and maybe then I can tell you why. Then again, if it still moves me, you'll have to wait some more.

Eleveniss

Beautifully written. A great read with insight and a compelling story. I could picture, smell and taste NYC at almost every turn of the page. I recommend this book confidently.

Spbaum

Like a fine wine. Early on you may begin to sense this book is something special. Like a fine wine, nearing the midpoint you appreciate and savor every sip. It is only as the last drop drains from the bottle that you truly appreciate what you have experienced and with bittersweet memories come to realize it will no doubt be quite some time before you are treated again to such a treasure.

Susy-1

Boring. I really tried to like this book, but after reading it once and back again half way to see if I missed something, I realizes it was way over detailed to the point of boring.

Erics Mom

Mesmerizing. I found the story and main character mesmerizing. It's a coming of age story that is beautifully portrayed. I could not put it down.

Alwnewyork

Rules of Civility. loved it! Having spent 13 years living and working in NYC, this book showed me how not much has changed with the class systems.

Reader08

Pretentious. This book is so pretentious!! Why is the author quoting random pages of Fitzgerald's or Hemingway's or Woolf's book as if the reader has never heard of these authors or read books from these authors. It's a little condescending toward the readers.

Dalila32001

Rules of civility. Loved the characters, the story of their lives and Manhattan.

Kmde

Rules of Civility. It has been a long time -- perhaps even ever-- that I have been drawn into a book so much. I loved this character and the lessons of her life. As I read it, I found insights that I wanted to share with my children, my peers and my parents. Such a broad spectrum of perspectives -- one more true than the next. Amazing ...

Amy52668

Great Story. One of the best books I've ever read. I loved the characters and felt like I knew them intimately.

Cathyncompany

Rules of Civility. Wonderful story! The author gets the story without long ramblings. The characters are very life like and their circumstances quite believable. Look forward to reading more from this author

Killer605

Rules of civility. For anyone that wants a taste of Fitzgerald with a delightful strong female protagonist- this book should be ordered.

Smartpaws

Engaging. Interesting.

Bills Queen

Rules of Civility. Put this gem on your "best ever" list - superb read!!

Apps2Heart

Golden. When a reading a book makes one feel as though a new, undiscovered volume of Fitzgerald has been accomplished, sad at its end and satisfied throughout, greatness is at hand. Amor, encore!

Ana Morales

Rules of Civility. Excellent! Great unfolding! Smooth... Very enjoyable.

Helmithead

Rules of civility. What a find. Very well-writen. Not a "romance novel" but rather an interesting perspective on relationships and choices. Some insightful quotes worth highlighting. A good book club choice.

Amor Towles - Rules of Civility Comments

5 Books like Rules of Civility (Amor Towles)

About Author "Amor Towles"

Amor Towles (born 1964) is an American novelist. He is best known for his bestselling novels Rules of Civility (2011), A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), and The Lincoln Highway (2021). Early life and education Towles was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Yale College and received an M.A. in English from Stanford University, where he was a Scowcroft Fellow. When Towles was 10 years old, he threw a bottle with a message into the Atlantic Ocean. Several weeks later, he received a letter from Harrison Salisbury, who was then the managing editor of The New York Times. Towles and Salisbury corresponded for many years afterward. Career After graduating from Yale University, Towles was set to teach in China on a two-year fellowship from the Yale China Association. However, this was abruptly canceled due to the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989.From 1991 to 2012, he worked as an investment manager and director of research at Select Equity Group in New York.When Towl....

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