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on April 7, 2017
I first read "A Gentleman in Moscow", which I loved. I thought at first that both books start off slow, but they don't. It is more the authors pace. He begins to draw you further and further into the story until you are fully invested into the characters and into the tale. It reminds me of The Great Gatsby and F. Scott. I honestly can not wait for another story. There is truly an art about the way he writes.
on May 2, 2017
Towles writing is sublime. It's almost like reading poetry, but without the constraints of form. This man could describe the growth of grass and it would be a great read. Not that there's not an excellent plot here - there is. But a Towles book is more about the melody of the language. I also read "A Gentleman in Moscow" and that was great too, but the plot in "Rules" is perhaps a bit more realistic.
on June 10, 2017
I loved A Gentleman in Moscow (author's second book). So unique, and the writing is just amazing. To say "It was well written" is an understatement. I think Towles is a great author Hope his third one is in the works. That being said, Rules of Civility is a good book and I am glad I read it, but if I had read it first, I might have skipped A Gentleman in Moscow and missed out on a superior story.
... because I read "The Gentleman in Moscow" and absolutely loved it. This first novel is not nearly as ...
on March 8, 2017
I ordered this Towles novel because I read "The Gentleman in Moscow" and absolutely loved it. This first novel is not nearly as enjoyable as his second. So, if you have read this one and are not certain about the second, you really must go ahead with the second.
on April 22, 2017
This is a story of a woman in the 1930's who manages to work her way into the social circles of the NY elite. We follower her from one friendship to another interconnected friendship with each group accepting her based upon her connection with the other. It is an interesting book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The writing style of the author is the best. I highly recommend it
on June 29, 2017
This book is like eating the most delicious dessert imaginable. You take smaller bites, trying not to rush, to savor every morsel. And still, you are so sorry when it's all gone.
The book is wise, it's wry, it's funny. And if you love New York, do yourself a favor. Read it.
The book is wise, it's wry, it's funny. And if you love New York, do yourself a favor. Read it.
on May 17, 2017
By and large this is a pretty good read, compelling and entertaining, well written, and insightful, with characters fully drawn, and dialogue that is precise and economical. I wasn't totally blown away, but I can recommend it, especially to women, who would appreciate it more than men, as this is a story of a young woman circumstances and hardships in New York City during 1938.
on May 15, 2015
You can read other reviews for the plot of this wonderful book, but I am going to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I first stumbled on to the radio station that reads books. I was able to listen to the last third of this novel. I just loved the clever repartee of the characters and put this on my "wish list" for later. Recently I was looking for something to read and remembered this title. It was so beautifully written that when I was finished I just started it over. Thanks Amor. I will be waiting for your next novel. Ps I also read his "Eve..." But that is another review.
on April 28, 2017
While and interesting books - I liked the setting. There was basically no emotion - from any character. I didn't think you got to know any character in the book. Now maybe that was the author's intention - rules of civility meaning you never have a deep conversation or express your emotions. However this is a book and you could have characters have internal dialog. They could react to things. The only true reaction was toward the end by the main character but since you didn't have any other actions to base her reaction on it didn't seem real. There were a lot of characters and some could have been much more interesting - but you didn't get to know them. The other item, again, it seems to be the author's intent, is that this takes place right before WWII. Characters travel to Europe in late 1930's and into 1940 - and no one seems to have noticed that there were Nazis over there. One character is killed fighting against the fascists in Spain and there is absolutely no mention as to why was he fighting, what were the politics that lead him there - there was also not a lot of mourning of him either. I found it like a superficial perusal of a group of people and what they did with no context as to why or how it effected them.
