Rules of Civility—Amor Towles (2011 Fiction)

When I first read the blurb for this book, I thought, “another Pygmalion.” Not in the slightest. This is a gorgeously worded chronicle of a year in a woman’s life in late 1930’s New York. And it’s written by a man. Yes, a chance encounter at a bar does catapult 25-year-old Katey Kontent from a blue-collar existence into the upper echelons of depression-era Manhattan society. However, her achievements are entirely within her control and ability. I have not read a book written in this style or with this command of the English language in quite some time, and certainly not a contemporary one, so think “future classic.” But this book is also readable, interesting, thought-provoking, and one that you will not want to put down until the end. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era and conjures up the energy of any large city. The characters are intelligent, and most are, if not completely likeable, at least sympathetic. I had visions
of Gatsby combined with the Algonquian Round Table floating through my head.

Review by Ginger Russell