52 pages • 1 hour read
Rules of Civility
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.
Book Brief
368
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1930s
2011
Adult
18+ years
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.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
287,424 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
287,424 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1930s
2011
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.