The 1930’s and ’40’s fascinate me. Between the hard times of the Depression to war to the beginnings of changing roles of society, there are so many interesting circumstances, which make for a lovely literary backdrop.
Rules of Civility: A Novel by Amor Towles covers one year — 1938 — in the life of some young adults.
In 1966, Katey is at an art exhibit with her husband where she sees a picture of an old friend she met on New Year’s Eve in 1937, and she is transported back to that year. The story then stays firmly in that year, until the very end when we return to 1966 for a wrap-up (I say this so you know that it’s not a confusing flashback novel).
Katey and her rooming house friend Eve are girls who have each decided to strike out on their own, for different reasons and from different backgrounds. But background aside, they are both working girls having to scrimp and save. When they meet the young, beautiful and obviously rich Tinker Gray in a bar on New Year’s Eve, the three of them form an immediate bond that ends up being cemented and simultaneously ripped apart by tragic circumstances later that month.
The setting is lovely. We get to know the opulent old money New York as well as the view from the working class. It’s a quite introspective novel, yet it also feels clever and quick. I enjoyed digesting Towles’ prose and the story’s plot equally.
Because many characters were introduced superficially before they become integral to the story and thus dear to my heart, it’s the kind of book I wanted to go back and re-read to see who those characters were in the beginning as compared to what I thought of them by the end.
All of the characters change over the year, and I was continually surprised by them, not being able to discern their next moves in many cases. I often couldn’t decide their motivations — were they selfish or self-preserving or simply going along with the flow?
I feel as if my review has done disservice to this book, often the case when I really like a book, which was definitely the case with this one.
The good news is that you have a risk-free chance to check out Rules of Civility for yourself. Leave a comment here if you’d like to win a copy (U.S. only). We’ll announce the winner right here on August 3.The giveaway is closed.
- The winner of the Jet Blue Soar with Reading gift pack is #2 S Club Mama.
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Jennifer Donovan loved her time living near New York City and blogged about it at Snapshot. She is now equally happy back home in Houston.
This looks like it would be a very good book to read.
I would love to win a copy of this book!
This book looks great. Please enter me for the give-away.
You haven’t steered me wrong yet! I would love a copy of this book!
Thank you for your great reviews! I read every one even if I don’t always respond.
I’d love to win! Thanks 🙂
I would love to win a copy! The books sounds great. Thanks!
I love reading books in that time period.
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Debbie–
You won this book. Please respond to this email notification with your shipping address.
Jennifer
This book is on my wishlist. Would love to win it! Thank you.
cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com
Sounds like an interesting read ~ please enter me
hawkes(at)citlink.net
I would love to win a copy of this book, not having lived then. I have some of my mother’s letters during that time periods. I have a feeling that she had very different experiences than the ones in the book. I am very intrigued about this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol.com
Rosamunde Pilcher’s Comong Home was a great on-the-brink of and through WWII novel. I would love to read a book that carries through 20 years on.
I would love to read this book and I know my mom would, too! It sounds really good!
I’d love to win this!
I find I love all books that are written in a time that precede my own. If you enjoy the working class versus old money theme, if you haven’t read it I’d suggest “Oh Money, Money” written by Eleanor H. Porter. Written in 1918, its about a millionaire who gives his working class cousins $100,000 (which back then meant welcome to the upper class).
As always I love your reviews and shamelessly requesting to be added to your giveaway.
I haven’t read it, but I remember when we toured the Vanderbilt or Roosevelt or something home in NY. It was amazing to hear just how very rich the rich were as compared to others.
Thanks for the kind words. Everyone is being so kind today!!
I’m intrigued!
I’d love to win!
It is my birthday onAug 3rd. would love tow in.
I’d enjoy a copy of this book. Love the era reads!
I know I will find this one enjoyable…thanks for the chance!
I would love to read this. Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win a copy.
thebluestockingguide at me dot com
It sounds like a great book! I would love to read it!
I love books that teach you something about history, this sounds like a good one!
I would love to read this! Thanks!
this book looks so fascinating. i love reading about this time period. thank you!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
This book sounds so interesting. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
This book sounds good. I’d love to read it!
sundance (dot)survey (at)gmail (d0t)com