Rules of Civility

A Novel

By: Amor Towles

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling 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, 25-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.

Hear why Rules of Civility is Our Book of the Summer.

©2011 Amor Towles (P)2011 Penguin

Amor Towles: a Brilliant Writer

After having read A Gentleman in Moscow and now Rules of Civility, I cannot praise Amon Towles writing highly enough. Towles masterfully weaves the fabric of each character so artfully, his audience is treated throughout both these novels to imagery that could not be more perfect in drawing the analogies he wants us to picture through his unequaled use of language. Add both of these books to your library and start either of them tonight. You will be enchanted by both.

I read the book because of the bookcover

If you could sum up Rules of Civility in three words, what would they be?

Moving, breathtaking, surprising

What other book might you compare Rules of Civility to and why?

Ethan Frome. Once I really got into the storyline of this book, I couldn't help thinking of how easily it would have been for all three major characters to fit into Ethan Frome's life. Without giving away spoilers, there are similarities, but well played and totally fitting.

What does Rebecca Lowman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think if I had just read the book I wouldn't have caught the emotional depth of the sadness through the eyes of the main character.

Excellent!!!

I loved listening to this book. It was a real treat. Rebecca Lowman totally was a great narrator for this book. I can't wait to get Amor Towles next book. I loved this author's writing style, language and characters. He truly captured the New York 30's. The story was interesting with well developed characters. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I loved listening to Rebecca lowman

I loved listening to the book however by the time we got to chapter 28 the story started jumping around. it bothered me that one sentence we we're in 1937 then jumped to 44 then back then forward to 1966. but the first 28-30 chapters were fantastic

Fresh Look by a Fresh Writer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Rebecca Lowman's performance of this book is stellar. She gives meaningful inflections to each character's voice. She pulls off a few language shifts, as well.

The book is unbelievably good. It is a reader's read. Filled with homages and name-drops, Towles achieves the impossible: he is Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald all at once.

What other book might you compare Rules of Civility to and why?

Age of Innocence for its comedy of manners approach to Manhattan.
The Great Gatsby for its up-and-coming-or-not characters.
The Sun Also Rises for its burn-and-crash characters and pacing.

The movie Metropolitan for its look at the upper-class and arrivistes with equal measure.

What about Rebecca Lowman’s performance did you like?

See above.

Who was the most memorable character of Rules of Civility and why?

Tinker Grey--his is the character of greatest focus and growth.

Most enjoyable

A+ performance and an utterly charming book. A favorite that will last for quite awhile

Accurate depiction of the 30's

I found the story a little depressing even though that was the author's intent. Some uplifting character's would have been welcome. But, overall, a good depiction of that era in NYC.

One of a kind

This book is fabulous. It’s the kind that just makes you wish you could write too. A must read.

Excellent

This was a really great audiobook. My primary critique is that the main character / narrator could have been more developed. It was unclear how she seamlessly went from the Russian immigrant working class to hanging out with upper class people her age. My personal perspective is that that going from one extreme to the other is somewhat of an anomaly warranting further explanation.

Another thing that irked me a little was the overzealous use of idiomatic phrases like "it's a Cracker Jack day!" And "Off with your head!" My mom who was born about 13 years after the book takes place (the book takes place in 1938) said that those kinds of figures of speech were common back then because life was simpler and people were less cynical. Still, I feel like it would have been better if the phrases and idioms were sprinkled more sparingly because I found them a bit disruptive to the narrative. Otherwise though, it was a great listen!!

Leisurely Listen for Summer

Would you try another book from Amor Towles and/or Rebecca Lowman?

Sure, I would probably try another.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Rushed - but I was pleased with the ending.

What aspect of Rebecca Lowman’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing

Could you see Rules of Civility being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Kate - Sandra Bullock
Tinker - Brad Pitt
Eve - Charlize Theron

Any additional comments?

I realize this book represented a different class, is set in New York City and is fiction - but I would question so many women being unchaperoned and having sex during that era.