I read A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles a couple of years ago and wrote about it on my blog. My last sentence stated, “I bet ya this won’t be the last book I read of his”. I kept my word and just finished the first novel he wrote, Rules of Civility. This book was published in 2011, 5 years before A Gentleman In Moscow.

I loved A Gentleman and was hoping Rules would live up to my expectations. It did! I’m so glad I chose this book from my TBR (to be read) pile!

As an avid reader, I enjoy a book with solid characters and an entertaining plot. This sounds simple enough but often this is the kind of book I look forward to reading. Rules of Civility does not have a hard-to-follow storyline, and there are no super crazy or intense characters. Depending on my mood, those are traits of a good book. It’s the kind of book that you look forward to reading after a busy day. You simply want to be entertained, relaxed, and not feel so hyped up that your mind is racing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy many different genres and writing styles but sometimes I just like to read a good narrative that pleasantly holds my attention. 

It’s a historical work of fiction that takes place in New York City and its vicinities in 1938. You’ll meet Katey Kontent and Eve Ross, twenty-something working single girls living in a boarding house. By chance, they meet Theodore “Tinker” Grey on New Year’s Eve. This encounter changes both young women’s worlds forever. 

After finishing a book I like to peruse the internet to hear other people’s thoughts and opinions. There were parallels from other readers that were interesting. Some compared it to The Great Gatsby, only about 15 years later. I can see it..the whole Jazz Age vibe, lavish parties, and a perplexing male character.

Also, I learned that Amor Towles cleverly integrated one character into both books, Gentleman and Rules. I couldn’t put my finger on who it was but when I discovered the name, it made me love both books even more! What a clever surprise! 

Let’s talk about the cover! This photo is gorgeous and definitely portrays the backdrop of this novel. Once you get your hands on a copy and open it, the rudimentary sketches on the inside fit perfectly with the vibe of the book.

I would definitely recommend reading The Rules of Civility. The moral of the story is when you read one piece from a particular author, most likely you will enjoy their other work as well. Honestly, I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters and always looked forward to picking up the book where I left off. Enjoy!