52 pages 1 hour read

Amor Towles

Rules of Civility

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Published in 2011, Rules of Civility is American author Amor Towles’ acclaimed debut novel 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, exploring themes of identity, class struggle, love, betrayal, choice, friendship, and wants versus needs in noirish prose.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles captures readers with its elegant prose and vivid depiction of 1930s New York. Praise centers on its richly drawn characters and atmospheric setting, while criticisms note occasional lapses in plot momentum. Overall, it stands out for its stylish storytelling and transportive quality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Rules of Civility ?

Fans of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter will relish Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. This novel appeals to readers who enjoy richly detailed historical fiction, vivid 1930s New York City settings, and intricate tales of ambition, love, and social dynamics.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction