Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Brenda hosted our book club meeting at the new Bastrop Brewhouse.  We ate tapas style with guacamole and chips, reuben egg rolls, and a club sandwich.  We had a nice view of the Colorado River and old iron bridge from our table. 

Synopsis:
Set in 1938, this novel follows a tumultous year for a young Katey Kontent as she meets influential people, says goodbye to dear friends, and charts a new career for herself.  Only in her twenties, Katey experiences a lifetime of lessons in one short year.

Comments: 
The idea that a chance encounter or cursory decision in one's twenties can shape one's course for decades to come was an intriguing theme of this book and a part of our discussion.  We agreed that there are decisions we all made in our twenties, both good and bad, which altered our future.  Brenda added that although her choices have been of her own free will, God's plan for her life has still been played out, even if it meant taking a longer route to reach that place.  We definitely agreed with this statement.  Carrying around regret for our past mistakes, choices and losses has no positive outcome.  "Old times, as my father used to say: If you're not careful, they'll gut you like a fish." p.77 [Nook]

The characters in this novel were intriguing, varied, and well-developed. 

• We felt sorry for Dickie, the young WASP who was a charming friend and a romantic at heart.  Katey ran to him and used him to forget about her broken heart from another relationship. 
• Anne Grandyn was manipulative, cunning, and self-assured.  Her false introduction by Tinker as his godmother was actually rather appropriate.  After the untimely death of Tinker's parents while he was still in prep school, she became his guardian in all respects--a co-dependent relationship which continued into his adult years.  It angered a few of us when we read that Anne had been the one who had covertly arranged for Katey to get her job.  However, as reminded by one of the FAB girls, Anne may have set her up for the job, but Katey is the one who managed to successfully keep it. 
• Eve was a strong woman who knew what she wanted, even if it meant using the folks around her to achieve her goals.  Her willful determination was admirable only if you could ignore the way she used and hurt those around her.  We questioned whether her friendship with Katey was as sincere for Eve as it was for Katey, whom we felt displayed true characteristics of a loyal, loving, selfless friend.  Eve's strength saw her through the devastating accident and recovery, and her attitude was just as bold and confident as prior to the accident: "But I've learned a thing or two since the accident.  And I like it just fine on this side of the windshield."  (p. 201)
• We liked Tinker and were thoroughly disappointed when we discovered his 'dirty little secret.' We could not quite grasp the idea that he would choose to return to the dangerous docks to live and work, especially when he had other skills he could have used to at least live in a moderately decent manner.  Even with the idea that Tinker was continuing to punish himself for his choices and mistakes, it was unimaginable to us that he would choose filth and desperate poverty.
• The one character who we felt had the most maturity and was the most likeable was Wallace.  Of course, he is also the one character who doesn't stay in the story long enough.
• Interestingly enough, the main character through whom we heard this year-long tale, was also the one whom we had the most difficult time gleaning information.  Katey doled out information about her background, family, and even physical description in bits and pieces throughout the story.

We loved the author's colorful and descriptive word pictures.  His writing painted such vivd mental pictures.  The following are a few of our favorites from the book:  "In the 1950s, America had picked up the globe by the heels and shaken the change from its pockets." (p. 13); "Slurring is the cursive of speech..." (p. 91); "In the apartment next door, I could hear the Zimmers sharpening their sarcasm.  Over an early dinner, they chipped away at each other like little Michelangelos, placing every stroke of the mallet with care and devotion." (p. 224)

Memorable Quote:
Said by Katey: "As a quick aside, let me observe that in moments of high emotion -- whether they're triggered by anger or envy, humiliation or resentment -- if the next thing you're going to say makes you feel better, then it's probably the wrong thing to say.  This is one of the finer maxims that I've discovered in life.  And you can have it, since it's been of no use to me." (p. 241)

FAB Rating: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)
Mr. Towles wrote a novel that appealed to all of us.  There were interesting characters, unexpected twists in the plot, a love story, and a female lead who was appealing in both her vulnerability and her strength.  One of the most appealing aspects of this novel was its ability to stimulate good conversation whether it was regarding the questionable motives and futures of the book's characters or whether it was asking each other some of the same questions the characters themselves asked over their dinner parties.  We had such a good laugh as we shared our answers to the question, "What is one thing no one knows about you?"  However, in an effort to keep that knowledge to a minimum number of people, I cannot share those answers here!