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Rules of Civility

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Rules of Civility

By: Amor Towles
Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm, Rebecca Lowman
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About this listen

The unforgettable debut by the bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway

On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate New York City jazz bar trying to stretch three dollars as far as it will go.

But a chance encounter with the handsome banker at the next table changes everything, opening the door to the upper echelons of New York society and a glittering new social circle. Plunged into a dizzy world of cocktail parties, sprawling mansions and glamorous magazine offices, Katey soon learns that there are rules to play by and riches can turn to rags in the trip of a heartbeat . . .

©2011 Amor Towles (P)2011 Penguin Audio 20th Century Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Urban Romance New York Witty Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

Terrific. A smart, witty, charming dry martini of a novel (David Nicholls, author of ONE DAY)
This is a flesh-and-blood tale you believe in, with fabulous period detail. It's all too rare to find a fun, glamorous, semi-literary tale to get lost in . . . While you're lost in the whirl of silk stockings, fur and hip flasks, all you care about is what Katey Kontent does next (Viv Groskop)
Who doesn't want to be transported to Thirties Manhattan? (Lucy Mangan, author of ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?)
All stars
Most relevant
amor does it again! wandr through a park and disappear into this wonderful story! glorious story telling

glorious stot telling

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So beautifully written - and read - the opening paragraphs are a divine combination of words commonly used in the English language but rarely so gorgeously combined.
The story itself paints a vivid picture of relatively rare and certain types of New Yorkers at a pivotal point in the contemporary history of America. The perspective given is an interesting and delightful one, from an independent and determined young woman who knows her own mind and is prepared to stick to her own beliefs and self determination. I miss listening to this one already!

Loved it!

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The narration and story are unparalleled. Highly recommend investing your time to listen to this story.

Masterful

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Beautifully written and expertly read, it has been a while since I have felt great attachment to characters in a book, I did not want this story to end. Rules of Civility cleverly unfolds over the year of 1938 and introduces us to an America rebounding from the depression and 4 young characters that are finding their way in a world where society and rules are changing.

Loved this book!

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Enjoyed listening to this story by a master-storyteller. However, my favourite book by Amor is still A Gentleman in Moscow.

Enjoyable story well told

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