Summary
Table for Two, released in 2024, is a captivating collection of short fiction by acclaimed and bestselling author Amor Towles. The book is divided into two distinct parts—six short stories set in New York City around the turn of the millennium and a novella, titled “Eve in Hollywood,” that takes place during Tinseltown’s Golden Age. Throughout the collection, Towles explores themes of chance encounters, the delicate balance of relationships, and the profound impact of seemingly small decisions. Showcasing Towles’s signature wit, sophistication, and keen eye for human nature, Table for Two has been hailed by many critics as the author’s best work to date.
Plot
Table for Two is a collection of short stories and a novella by acclaimed author Amor Towles. The book is divided into two parts, with six short stories set in New York City and a novella taking place in Los Angeles. Most of the New York stories are set around the turn of the millennium and explore themes such as ego, brief encounters, and the complexities of modern marriages.
The first story, “The Line,” follows a Russian peasant named Pushkin who moves to Moscow and finds himself holding places in lines for others. His experiences lead him to New York City, where he takes comfort in a familiar queue for a soup kitchen. “The Ballad of Timothy Touchett” tells the tale of an aspiring novelist who becomes involved in a literary forgery scheme, ultimately landing him in trouble with the law.
"Hasta Luego” depicts an unexpected connection between two strangers stranded at an airport, while “I Will Survive” explores the consequences of a lawyer's secret passion for roller skating. “The Bootlegger” centers on a man's confrontation with an elderly patron illicitly recording performances at Carnegie Hall. “The DiDomenico Fragment” follows a retired art specialist's attempt to locate pieces of a famous painting divided among his family members.
The novella, “Eve in Hollywood,” revisits the character of Evelyn Ross from Towles's novel Rules of Civility. Set in 1938, it chronicles Eve's journey to Los Angeles and her experiences in Hollywood's Golden Age. Told from seven different perspectives, the novella showcases how Eve crafts a new future for herself and others in the glamorous world of cinema.
Themes
Consequences of brief encounters
Dynamics of modern marriages
Pursuit of dreams and ambitions
Impact of secrets and revelations
Moral dilemmas and ethical choices
Transformation through unexpected experiences
Nostalgia for different eras
Setting
The first part of Table for Two is set primarily in New York City around the turn of the millennium. Throughout six short stories, the bustling metropolis serves as a vibrant backdrop for Amor Towles's characters as they navigate relationships, careers, personal dilemmas, and a changing world.
In the second part of the collection, the novella “Eve in Hollywood” transports readers to the glittering world of 1930s Los Angeles. This shift in setting allows Towles to explore the Golden Age of Hollywood, contrasting the glamour and opportunity of the West Coast with the more established East Coast sensibilities.
Throughout the collection, Towles skillfully uses specific locations to enhance his narratives. From the hallowed halls of Carnegie Hall to the intimate corners of Manhattan restaurants, each setting is carefully chosen to reflect the characters' states of mind and the themes being explored. The juxtaposition of these varied environments—from crowded city streets to quiet park benches—creates a rich tapestry that brings the era and its inhabitants vividly to life.
Characters
Pushkin: A kindhearted Russian peasant who moves to Moscow at his wife's urging. He finds purpose holding places in lines for others, receiving small tokens of appreciation in return. Pushkin accidentally applies for and receives a visa to leave the Soviet Union, leading him and his wife to New York City. In an unfamiliar city, he finds comfort in familiar queues.
Irina: Pushkin's wife, who desires to participate in the Russian Revolution. She accompanies Pushkin to Moscow and later to New York City.
Timothy Touchett: A recent college graduate aspiring to be a novelist. Plagued by self-doubt and a perceived lack of life experience, Timothy takes a job at a rare bookstore. He becomes involved in a scheme forging authors' signatures, which ultimately leads to his arrest and ironically provides the life experience he sought.
Jerry: The narrator of “Hasta Luego,” an emotionally detached man who meets a stranger named Smith at an airport. Despite his initial reluctance, Jerry finds himself going to great lengths to help the newly sober Smith avoid a relapse.
Smith: A sincere and gregarious man Jerry meets at the airport. Recently sober, Smith struggles with the temptation to drink during their unexpected layover.
John: A prominent lawyer in his sixties with a secret passion for roller skating in the park. His hobby, hidden from his wife Peggy, is eventually revealed, leading to marital strife and ultimately divorce.
Peggy: John's wife, who becomes suspicious of his whereabouts but prefers to remain unaware of his roller skating hobby.
Nell: John and Peggy's daughter, who follows her father and uncovers his roller skating secret. Her revelation of this information contributes to her parents' divorce.
Tommy: A concertgoer who becomes increasingly frustrated with an old man he catches recording performances at Carnegie Hall. His confrontation leads to the old man's ban from the venue, causing Tommy to feel remorseful and go to great lengths to apologize.
Percival Skinner: A retired Renaissance art specialist who frequents the same Manhattan restaurant daily. He becomes involved in a scheme to locate fragments of a famous DiDomenico painting once owned by his family, hoping to improve his financial situation.
Eve Ross: The protagonist of the novella “Eve in Hollywood,” originally from Towles's novel Rules of Civility. She leaves New York for Los Angeles in 1938, crafting a new future for herself in Hollywood's Golden Age.
Quick facts
Table for Two contains six short stories set in New York City and one novella set in Los Angeles.
Amor Towles began writing short stories in high school and college, which helped prepare him for this collection.
Towles stayed at The Beverly Hills Hotel for a week to help set the mood for the novella “Eve in Hollywood."
The collection’s title comes from the recurring theme of two characters sitting across a table from each other in pivotal moments.
One of the stories, “Bootlegger,” is partly autobiographical, inspired by Towles's experience at Carnegie Hall.
The novella “Eve in Hollywood” features a character from Towles' previous novel Rules of Civility.
Towles typically wrote for about four hours each morning and revised his work at restaurant bars in the afternoon.
The collection includes a story about a Russian peasant who waits in lines and an aspiring author involved in a literary con.
The book became an instant New York Times bestseller upon its release in April 2024.
Critics widely praised the short stories but had mixed reactions to the novella “Eve in Hollywood."
About the Author
Amor Towles (1964-) is an American author acclaimed for his works of historical and literary fiction. His debut novel, Rules of Civility (2011), became an instant New York Times bestseller. His sophomore effort, A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), was widely praised by critics and immensely popular with readers, solidifying his status as a literary powerhouse and inspiring a television adaptation, starring Ewan McGregor. His third novel, The Lincoln Highway (2021), was chosen an Amazon best book of the year.
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Towles studied at Yale University and earned an MA in English from Stanford, and then embarked on a successful career in investment banking. In 2012, he decided to follow his passion for writing and become a full-time author. Towles's writing style is characterized by its attention to historical detail and engaging storytelling. His works often explore themes of identity, social class, and personal transformation.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Towles is known for his eclectic interests. He is an ardent fan of early 20th-century painting, 1950's jazz, and 1970's cop shows. His passion for the arts extends to his personal life, where he is a collector of fine art and antiques. Towles resides in Manhattan's Gramercy Park with his wife Maggie and their two children.
