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isaacbereading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
ktrain3900's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This fast-paced jaunt through 1938 New York's creme de la creme features almost impossibly witty characters who speak with a tinge of noir, and who exist on the fringes of a Wharton novel, had she come along a generation later. I found it fun, escapist fiction, requiring the reader to apply a dash of good ol' suspension of disbelief. The exploits of our intrepid heroine, the preposterously named Katey Kontent, are exhausting - just how does one balance the heavy work schedule with the heavy social schedule? - but I was 25 once, with that sort of bounding boundless energy. While it's good for a first novel, it's still a first novel: did it need the preface and epilogue; do we believe a bold broad like Katey would be such a Dickens fan (and was it only because she was named a bit like a Dickens character); could it have done without some of the dated racisms and still felt genuine? I'm not sure, but overall, I wouldn't kick this book out of bed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Abortion, Alcohol, and War
nukie19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
susanm_82's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
emciver's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Car accident
erin1096's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Car accident
Minor: Xenophobia, Abortion, and War
emma_sky's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Car accident, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
gloomi_sundai's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
definitely a relaxing book, ive come to realize that in these historical stories theres like rarely any plot just vibes. and that was this book was, a big vibe. the characters were interesting and i liked seeing the main characters growth in her career but idk i really dont know how i felt about this my thoughts are empty
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
thebowandthebook's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Greatly enjoyed the book, a few sexual references diminished my pleasure of it The storytelling transported me back to the 1930's and was delivered in a very enjoyable style. I admire Towles versatility and always enjoys his stories, and this one didn't disappoint.
Tinker's sexual favours provided to his patroness was the big twist I didn't quite see coming until it was there, and I didn't love that twist but the story still progressed well and had me wanting to find out what came next
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicide, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Abortion, and Death of parent