Rules of Civility: A Novel

I want to step outside my typical writing and share something I have never shared before – two novels, an author, and the most poignant understanding of personal human endeavors, loss, and life within historical context that is so penetrating, I slow my reading for fear the novel will end. The author is Amor Towles. The two books I read of his in wrong descension was his latest first, A Gentleman in Moscow, and his debut – perhaps last, Rules of Civility. The cadence of his novels is not ruled by dialogue, but intent on sharing the characters convictions, their philosophies, and their trials. The intensity with which he delves into the persona is beyond anything I have read. Interspersed with wit personified in Agatha Christie, and the poignancy of Walden and Dickens, he unveils the human spirit like no other. That combination seems well suited to today’s conflagrations of betrayal and ineptness and ignorance. It revels in the spirit of human dignity and self worth given the circumstances of the era – revealing that every era of time is in its own tapestry of a painting whether along the Seine or the trials of personhood in the Soviet Union or America. They are the inner struggle for self – and love. The words spill across the pages like a violin. Each note reverberating a different soliloquy to be embraced and coveted lest it be lost in a singular second of time. Never to be grasped again. I have never felt so moved by an author as I have with these novels. Fictional in their rule, historical in their setting and societal ambiance. Seductive in the worldly sense without the necessitation of overtly candid sex, this author has grasped the gift of tale. And the diction of words in a melodious composition just as reminiscent of an opera as a jazz quartet or a dance routine of Fred Astaire. Amor provides a glimpse into what was to see what is today. From a place of society within the frame of the political eras that existed in this time frame he portrays. The politics of which are integrated but not judged. Simply presented – as an historian might. His main characters are seemingly devoid of one common anomaly – family. And thus traverse the rails of trains traversing the countryside – devoid, yet desperate to create this fulcrum of court. Of a purpose. Of a life outside of life apparent. I finished the second – albeit debut novel today – and feel a sense of vacancy. As though I need him to fill more of the vacuous void that has eclipsed our society in such tragedy we cannot find a leveled jutty from the mountainous cliff. I personally shared the experiences of wonderous persons who have come in and out of my life through the resonance of time and situation. Leaving a mark. A memory. Long gone. Never forgotten. The basic instinct of the novels being to revel in each and every moment as a punctuated gift from God or Angels. Each person brought to us in our lives was placed there for a valuable purpose – sometimes good and sometimes bad – but always for purpose. And nothing is coincidental or random. Good Night My Friends -

I really enjoyed reading this book. No I don't think Amor Towles is the next F. Scott, but I really enjoyed the language and metaphors that some people are blasting in the reviews. Unfortunately, the pacing fell off somewhere around the middle of the book and it just wandered around for a while and then decided to stop. The very ending made sense, but Tinker's desires and goals could have been woven better into the rest of the novel so that the ending would seem to the reader the only way it could or should have ended. Instead it just sort of quietly stopped after meandering around for a while. I felt the introduction of Tinker's brother and the role that character played was completely extraneous, and should have been edited out or fixed to be more effective. The author seemed to try to use the brother to justify Tinker's choices and I didn't buy it. I actually felt that way about a lot of the secondary characters. Their roles were elevated beyond their usefulness. A tighter focus on Tinker, Eve, Katie and Anne (oh, and what about Val? His cameos weren't even long enough to generate interest, and they should have been!) while getting rid of all the girlfriends and the Texan with the maitre d', and and and would have greatly improved this book. Some of the literary allusions fell flat, and the author didn't quite seem to be able to keep a little Mike Hammer or something from his voice, although it detracted only slightly. This review sounds uber-critical for someone who says she loved reading this book, but that is because I was really paying attention, which is the biggest complement I can pay to an author. Now for a few of the things I really liked: I loved the voice of the main character. Her imperfect self was imminently knowable and believable to me, although the intro and the ending had me kind of wondering if I still cared. I loved the description of the Russian club--this author really gets the truth of these Russians and described their emotional way of relating to things beautifully. I felt like I had been there. And my favorite part was the descriptive prose and imagery. On one of the first pages, this caught my eye: "In the 1950's, America had picked up the globe by the heels and shaken the change from its pockets. Europe had become a poor cousin--all crests and no table settings. And the indistinguishable countries of Africa, Asia, and South America had just begun skittering across our schoolroom walls like salamanders in the sun. True, the Communists were out there, somewhere, but with Joe McCarthy in the grave and no one on the Moon, for the time being the Russians just skulked across the pages of spy novels." What a beautifully succinct way to set the time and arrogantly optimistic American mindset for the book! So in spite of its shortcomings, this book is worth the time it takes to read it and I do recommend it although with the caveat that you will probably enjoy the first half and then cruise through the second without the full satisfaction that might have been...

Reviewing “Rules of Civility” is a pleasure. The novel resembles classic American literature, reminiscent of Hemingway's style. The storytelling is engaging, with exquisite language. The plot unfolds at a delightful pace, and the writing's depth and elegance are captivating. Unlike many modern American novels, this one doesn't seem tailored for film or TV adaptations. Reading it is refreshing, like a breath of fresh air. It was an absolute delight, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I loved this book so much I reread it 4 months later. I think he’s an author of such charm and warmth. His skilful use of metaphors greatly enriches the writing, and they are incredibly witty and natural, never feel forced or jarring. A fabulous cast of characters where even the bit parts are fully fleshed out, believable people with human flaws. I particularly loved Eve, Anne and Wallace. He also draws perfectly the picture of late 30’s New York. The story of a year that, although pivotal for Katey as an individual, could have been a year in anyone’s life and yet was made so engaging and interesting through his writing techniques. A solid 5/5 from me, not because it’s perfect but because I don’t think I could have got greater enjoyment from it. One of my favourite extracts, Katey’s response to receiving a summons from Anne – ‘I tore the letter into a thousand pieces and hurled them at the spot on the wall where a fireplace should have been. Then I carefully considered what I should wear.’ Perfect!

This is an excellent book - very well written and very difficult to put down. The prose is very compelling too, and the writing is very witty as well.

There's not much I can say that other reviewers haven't already said. This book is gorgeous. The protagonist is wonderful, the writing style is the best I have encountered in a long time. This book meanders along and I enjoyed every minute of the journey. It is difficult to explain exactly why it is so good, the best I can come up with is to compare it to a classical music composition, it builds and shines and sweeps over you and you don't want it end and you can't stop thinking about it when it does.

The bohemians, immigrants and struggling artists who once leant so much flavor to New York city have long since left and been replaced by the wealthy, very wealthy and obscenely rich. Much to the satisfaction of his readers, Amor Towles has transported us to a New York of the late 1930s and a world that once was. Katey Kontent rents a room in a house where she shares space with Evelyn Ross. The two frequent jazz bars where they meet Tinker Grey. With his help, vistas are open to them and a life they would never have though possible. Unfortunately, even a life fulfilled beyond expectations can still bring with it disappointments. “Rules of Civility” celebrates a lifestyle long gone and with it a feeling of nostalgia for adventures provided by a city inhabited by the nouveau riche, the blue blood American aristocrat, the fresh off the boat immigrant, the struggling artist, the talented musician, and the idealistic writer. As our characters mature, so must New York and the reader is left with a nostalgia for lost youth and simpler times. If only by following rules such those of civility, everything in life would turn out okay. "Rules of Civility" is a terrific book that provides a nostalgic journey back to simpler and more dangerous times that some would love to relive and others forget.

Brillante, divertida, emotiva, original, dinámica y muy bien escrita. Me ha gustado tanto como Un caballero en moscú. Esta la leí en inglés, y la otra traducida al castellano. Ambas me han encantado. Espero su nuevo libro.