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  • Rules of Civility

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Amor Towles
  • Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
  • Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (163 ratings)

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Rules of Civility

Written by: Amor Towles
Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
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Publisher's Summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Lincoln Highway and A Gentleman in Moscow, a “sharply stylish” (Boston Globe) book about a young woman in post-Depression era New York who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society - now with over one million readers worldwide.

On the last night of 1937, 25-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society - where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.

With its sparkling depiction of New York’s social strata, its intricate imagery and themes, and its immensely appealing characters, Rules of Civility won the hearts of readers and critics alike.

©2011 Amor Towles (P)2011 Penguin

What listeners say about Rules of Civility

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

They don't write books like this anymore

The thing that stands out most about this book is how beautifully written it is, feeling almost like a piece of classical literature. It was so lovely I was swept up in it's charm from the beginning. The narrator was excellent and brought a lot of depth, however sometimes I felt like if I was reading it in my own head, the happy parts would've felt a bit more joyful. That being said, the voices were excellent, and you could hear the personality of every character.
The story brings 1930's New York to vivid life which was so much fun to listen to. The characters had so many layers and continued to surprise you, especially just when you thought you had them figured out. The conclusion was satisfying and the story was bitter sweet. I'm happy to have read this one.
Read it if you love New York City, historical fiction, classic literature, or any and all of the above. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Story - Well Told

My First audiobook. Decided to try this after reading “ A Gentleman in Moscow .” Both books are books to read if you enjoy a good story, well told , with amazing insights into human behaviour and a story line you will want to see through to the climax. The epilogue in “ Rules of Civility” was one of the best parts. Imagine that !
The language is so enjoyable to read and hear. The characters are so diverse, with a little of each of us in everyone of them. Read it. Hear it. You will not regret it.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A glimpse into a bygone era

There is perhaps no song that stirs emotions quite like Auld Lang Syne and this book completely captures the essence of the lyrics. While it's a traditional song to hear on New Year's Eve, it's the experiences between those New Year's celebrations that truly give it meaning. For Katey Kontent, the year 1938 turned out to be a doozy, and her decisions in that year made way for who she would ultimately become. The beauty in this is how it rings true for all of us: our decisions, the people that come and go from our lives, these things shape us and the dawn of each New Year is the perfect time for reflection and nostalgia for the days (and people) of yore. #Audible1

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I thought I would really like this based on the author’s reputation and the description of the book. But actually I never got into it. I finished it because I kept hoping that I would eventually get hooked on the story but I never did. The characters I didn’t find that interesting. It is one of those books where nothing much ever happens - there really isn’t a plot of any kind - and you just hear about this woman in New York and the various people she meets. For me it was a bit boring I’m afraid.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

This novel desperately needs an editor

Way too long with a cast of characters that is hard to believe in. The writer is obviously a fan of Charles Dickens and decided that the reader needed to know what happened to every character, most of which you have already forgotten. There are moments of interest but the writer decides to overload and overwork every scene. This first novel should have been forgotten in a drawer for a longtime,perhaps forever.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great listen - story and narrator

Found myself immersed in this story - not thinking of anything but the characters and events throughout.
As with a Gentleman in Moscow, it was hard to get a handle on where the story was going, but, the peeling
away of layers draws the listener in and it all comes together by the end.
Enjoyed the addition of George Washington's "Rules of Civility" at the end - most of them are still relevant
and could be put into practice today.
#Audible1 continues to do great things matching narrators and stories!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Struggling to Finish

I find that the characters are hard to relate to, and none of them are likeable. The story is not engaging it just drags along. If i would have known how u engaging the story was I would not have wasted a credit. I hate leaving bad reviews, but this one was just not for me.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved this book!

Be ready to be transported to New York City in the 30's and 40's. An extremely well told story told from the perspective of an interesting and independent woman, not prone to convention or loveless relationships. Full of fun, adventure, heartbreak, serendipity and rich characters. Lots of insights to the publishing world. The perfect narrator for the story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Loved this!!

Brilliant writing. Captivating story. How a young woman navigated New York with civility and shone through it all!!!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Waiting for something to happen

I wanted to like this book so much but the story never went anywhere. I couldn't finish it.

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