The Rules of Civility title is taken from a list created by George Washington, a guideline for social behavior that he created for himself. I will say that I aspire to write as well as Mr. Towles – his prose is crisp, his humor cynical and self-deprecating and overall this is a sophisticated look at the denizens of that most sophisticated city, New York.
In reading this novel, I never felt the title was all that appropriate, but that’s beside the point.
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had great reviews and was compared to F Scott Fitzgerald.
I don’t feel the first third of the book lived up to the billing. It was disjointed and unclear. I think that is because the male author could not identify with his female mc at that stage in her life.
However, once she becomes part of the upper crust lifestyle of New York, he comes into his own and the work is reminiscent of the great authors of that era.
Towles has a wonderful way with descriptive phrases and self-deprecating humor on the part of his characters. I felt I came away with an excellent feel for the society of the time period he describes.
I look forward to his next work.
