Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout rules of civility by amor towles. Its 1938 as the story opens, and katey has just about had it with the narrow options facing a young woman in depressionera manhattan. Refined manhattan shines with glamorous civility filled with snappy dialogue and sharp observations, amor towles elegant debut novel transports readers back to new york city circa 1938. And if your reading group is meeting for dinner in new york somewhere between.
Armed with little more than a formidable intellect, a bracing wit. In amor towless debut novel, rules of civility viking, postdepression manhattanthe glittering metropolis of cocktails, jazz clubs, and glamorous apartment towers guarded by knowing doormenis also the city of profound reinvention. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Rules of civility by amor towles 7 nov sometimes, im overly excited to talk to my book club about a book i liked and that was the case with rules of civility. Discussion questions for rules of civility by amor towles 1. Rules of civility by amor towles goodreads share book.
Hear why rules of civility is our book of the summer. Rules of civility by amor towles discussion guide penguin. Apr 01, 20 our book for this month is amor towles novel rules of civility. Published in 2011, rules of civility is american author amor towles acclaimed debut novel. Below are some answers to commonly asked questions about rules of civility. Rules of civility from the new york timesbestselling author of a gentleman in moscow, a. Rules of civility by amor towles book club discussion. At the outset, rules of civility appears to be about the interrelationship between katey, tinker and eve. Did you like the book immediately or did it take you some time to become committed. On the last night of 1937, twentyfiveyearold katey kontent is in a secondrate greenwich village jazz bar when tinker grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. After a few weeks of preparation, i started rules of civility on january 1, 2006 and wrapped it up 365 days later.
Rules of civility 2011 is set over one year in america in 1938, during the great depression and after the 1937 recession. Whereas every other american metropolisset novels publication is punctuated with hints of regionalism and yes, i mean chicago and san francisco and boston too, there is something about new york that becomes a standin for america. In towless first novel, rules of civility, his clever heroine, who grew up in brooklyn as katya, restyles herself in 1930s manhattan as the more clubbable katey, aspiring to. Somore i loved a gentleman in moscow and was ready to read another book by towles. Rules of civility the ny times good reads the guardian book companion on the last night of 1937, twentyfiveyearold katey kontent is in a secondrate greenwich village jazz bar when tinker grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. Are dicky vanderwhile, wallace wolcott, bitsy, peaches, hank, and anne grandyn as essential to kateys story as tinker and.
In 1949, archer is paroled from carderock prison he was innocent and must report regularly to his parole officer, ernestine crabtree shes damn finelooking. The rules of civility george washingtons mount vernon. Besides eve, katey spends most of the book talking to men. Popular literature, movies, and tv often delve into the topic of a character climbing. Amor towles started rules of civility on january 1, 2006, and wrapped it up 365 days later. We are around the same age as the main character, katey. In the fall of 2012, the novel was optioned to be made into a feature film. This sophisticated and entertaining first novel presents the story of a young woman whose life is on the brink of transformation. Rules of civility takes its name from the famous guide to decorum that george washington copied down as a young man, which tinker keeps with him. This novel is less riveting, with a more circumspect plotline, but no less beautiful and poetic in its writing. Armed with little more than a formidable intellect, a bracing wit, and her own brand of cool nerve, katey embarks on a journey from a wall street secretarial pool through the upper echelons of new york society in search of a brighter future.
George washingtons rules of civility and decent behavior. The cocktail party november 27, 20 14 comments in etiquette, savoir vivre by jay sennett the ability to entertain is a powerful skill that once mastered, gives a gentleman many hours of joyous reflection and boundless amounts of goodwill from others. This study guide consists of approximately 53 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of rules of civility. They are based on a set of rules composed by french jesuits in 1595.
Here are a few suggested rules to keep the club running smoothly. But those little tidbits are not the bulk of this quite plotty pacey novel, which is a this book was strange for me, at points, it was a 5, at other points a 1. The novel examines how, by changing your attitudes, behaviors, and manners, you can reinvent yourself, and how katey, tinker, and eve all did this in 1938. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. I found the book a bit difficult to get into at first, but really wanted to know more about the characters the more i read. In amor towless witty and slyly brutal debut novel, rules of civility, the protagonist is one katey kontent. Why does the author include a prologue to his novel, featuring a photographic art exhibit. I recommend reading this book first before going on to gentleman in moscow.
But once into the book, i happened to pull a collection of washingtons writings off my shelf, which led off with his rules of civilityand i knew right away that the rules should be the primary thing that tinker had studied. Amor towles recreates the beautiful atmosphere of this era and fills the pages with people and events that take you back to this time of witty conversation, lavish parties and soaring ambitions. Great supplemental information for school essays and projects. When general franco and his fascists succeed in overthrowing the government, hundreds of thousands are forced to flee in a treacherous journey over the mountains to the french border. Amor towles recreates the beautiful atmosphere of this era and fills the pages with people and events that take you back to this time of. Discussion questions for rules of civility by amor. Aug 02, 2011 refined manhattan shines with glamorous civility filled with snappy dialogue and sharp observations, amor towles elegant debut novel transports readers back to new york city circa 1938. Amazon best books of the month, august 2011 set during the hazy, enchanting, and martinifilled world of new york city circa 1938, rules of civility follows three friendskatey, eve, and tinkerfrom their chance meeting at a jazz club on new years eve through a year of enlightening and occasionally tragic adventures.
Rules of civility by amor towles book club discussion questions. In amor towless debut novel, rules of civility viking, postdepression manhattan the glittering metropolis of cocktails, jazz clubs, and glamorous apartment towers guarded by knowing doormen is also the city of profound reinvention. Aug 14, 2011 in towless first novel, rules of civility, his clever heroine, who grew up in brooklyn as katya, restyles herself in 1930s manhattan as the more clubbable katey, aspiring to. Here are some basic questions to get a book club discussion going i mean, lets. Rules of civility amor towles, 2011 penguin group usa 352 pp. Forni ode to better angels of our nature this one was recommended persistently by my mom until i eventually caved. His first novel, rules of civility, published in 2011, was a new york times bestseller and was named by the wall street journal as one of the best books of 2011. Named after george washingtons book of moral and social codes, this. Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned. Sometimes, im overly excited to talk to my book club about a book i liked and that was the case with rules of civility. Our book for this month is amor towles novel rules of civility. I loved the feel of the period created in this book.
Commentary on the role of walker evanss photography in the book is included here. Rules of civility from the new york timesbestselling author of a gentleman in moscow, a sharply stylish boston globe novel of a young woman in postdepression era new york who suddenly finds herself thrust into high societynow with over one million readers worldwideon the last night of 1937, twentyfiveyearold katey kontent is in a secondrate greenwich village jazz bar when tinker. In 1949, archer is paroled from carderock prison he was innocent and must report regularly to his parole officer, ernestine crabtree shes damn fine. Set in new york city in 1938, rules of civility tells the story of a watershed year in the life of an uncompromising twentyfiveyearold named katey kontent. Rules of civility, the first novel by amor towles, chronicles a transitional year in the life of a young woman in manhattan. Is there anything unique about this book such as writing style, structure, or subject matter. His first novel, rules of civility, published in 2011, was a new york times bestseller and was named by the wall street journal as. Rules of civility takes its name from the famous guide to decorum that. Find discussion questions and reading group guide for rules of civility by amor towles. George washingtons many virtues have, for centuries, led masons to regard him as a true exemplar of the dignity and morality that our craft espouses. Here are some basic questions to get a book club discussion going i mean, lets try not to gossip the whole time. Rules of civility is the authors first book, and although it is superbly written, his third book, a gentleman in moscow 2016, is the one worthy of 5 stars. His second novel, a gentleman in moscow, published in 2016, was also a new york times bestseller and. If you are interested, there is additional content regarding rules of civility at.
A few friends who had read both didnt like rules of civility as much. From the new york times bestselling author of a gentleman in moscow, a sharply stylish boston globe novel of a young woman in postdepressionera new york who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society. Choosing civility the 25 rules of considerate conduct by p. Aug 31, 2011 rules of civility takes its name from the famous guide to decorum that george washington copied down as a young man, which tinker keeps with him. Reading guide five years ago, three friends and i set out to read some of the great books or those works of literature which would merit rereading several times over the course of our lives. Are dicky vanderwhile, wallace wolcott, bitsy, peaches, hank, and anne grandyn as essential to kateys story as tinker and eve. I may or may not have skipped out on another meeting to come to this book club. The book was designed with twentysix chapters, because there are fiftytwo weeks in the year and he. The book was rated by the wall street journal as one of the ten best works of fiction in 2011. Are dicky vanderwhile, wallace wolcott, bitsy, peaches, hank and anne grandyn as essential to kateys story as tinker and eve. Commentary on the role of jazz in the book is included here. These little nuggets are katys own rules of civility and they made the book worth reading.
Katey kontent narrates her own journey through the year 1938, from the future perspective of 1966, after she runs upon photographs of a man named tinker grey. Although the cover of the book grabbed my attention since i saw it in a bookstore a few months ago, for some reason i didnt buy it and then i regretted my decision when i saw it mentioned on your blog. With its sparkling depiction of new yorks social strata, its intricate imagery and themes, and its immensely appealing characters, rules of civility won the hearts of readers and critics alike. This being said, most folks will enjoy the rules of civility because it is good, effortless reading and has some fun characters in it. On the last night of 1937, poor 25yearold katherine katey kontent, and her friend eve ross, meet rich theodore tinker grey, a handsome banker, at the hotspot jazz club. Jan 05, 2012 i recommend reading this book first before going on to gentleman in moscow. Jul 15, 2011 i worried initially that the reissue of rona jaffes the best of everything had slightly stolen rules of civility s thunder. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Thriller writer baldacci a minute to midnight, 2019, etc. Set a small fine for late books, to be put in a communal fund for snacks or similar expenses. At the outset, rules of civility appears to be about the interrelationship between katey, tinker, and eve.
Book club may 2019 rules of civility by amor towles. I am only two months late, but i just wanted to say how much i enjoyed reading the rules of civility discussion you hosted. Reading guide five years ago, three friends and i set out to read some of the great books or those works of literature which would merit re. The book was designed with 26 chapters, because there are 52 weeks in the year and i allotted myself two weeks to draft, revise and bank each chapter. Diane parfitt i loved a gentleman in moscow and was ready to read another book by towles.
This 52page guide for rules of civility by amor towles includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 26 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Jul 25, 2011 thriller writer baldacci a minute to midnight, 2019, etc. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that. Posts about rules of civility book club written by pamela dae. Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned by young washingtons schoolmaster. Each book is due back after a certain amount of time such as two months. As a group we have not yet met to discuss the rules of civility. Towless fascinating narrator, katey nee katya kontent, works as a secretary at a whiteshoe law firm, where she deftly hides the fact that shes the daughter of immigrant laborers. Jul 26, 2011 npr coverage of rules of civility by amor towles. Her writing has appeared in the awl, the av club, the chicago reader, and chicago magazine. Set at the end of the 1930s during the great depression, the narrative follows spunky roommates katey kontent and evelyn ross as they make their way up the social ladder in new york society.
Katey and eve stretch their few dollars out each evening on the town. Jul 09, 2018 rules of civility 2011 is set over one year in america in 1938, during the great depression and after the 1937 recession. Climbing the manhattan social ladder in rules of civility. George washingtons many virtues have, for centuries, led masons to regard him as a true exemplar of. Manhattan in the 1930s with all its charm, sophistication and jazzage dynamics is the highlight of this book.
Partway through rules of civility, the novels autodidact protagonist goes to work for a book publisher that is conservatively described by its celebrated fiction editor as being decades behind. Rules of civility by amor towles reading guidebook club. Born and raised in the boston area, amor towles graduated from yale college and received an ma in english from stanford university. As someone who has written quietly for twenty years, the notion that a group might gather to discuss a book of mine seems something so fantastic it must be a. Initially, i imagined tinker as an avid student of the period.
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