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A review by mmefish
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Funny how a rich middle-aged (white) man decides to write a book from a POV of a young working class girl just to completely ignore all if those attributes he himself set. The MC in question is kind of a perfect human (not like other women) but has no personality whatsoever.
Besides that, Amor Towels, for whatever reason, decided to take a dig on female writes more than once, praising men at the same time. Ah, and women in their 30s are, of course, past their prime.
I also don't see the point of setting the story during the Great Depression, because all the characters do is drink, party and spend money (the main character herself quits a job at a whim, immediately gets another one, and then another, even better one); so why not set it before the Depression? There is no poverty or struggling in "Rules of Civility" (as well as no plot).
P.s. there's a scene in chapter 21 that is the epitome of male fantasy. Just men-writing-women things.
P.p.s. there is another scene - with MC making out with an older woman. It came absolutely out of nowhere.
Besides that, Amor Towels, for whatever reason, decided to take a dig on female writes more than once, praising men at the same time. Ah, and women in their 30s are, of course, past their prime.
I also don't see the point of setting the story during the Great Depression, because all the characters do is drink, party and spend money (the main character herself quits a job at a whim, immediately gets another one, and then another, even better one); so why not set it before the Depression? There is no poverty or struggling in "Rules of Civility" (as well as no plot).
P.s. there's a scene in chapter 21 that is the epitome of male fantasy. Just men-writing-women things.
P.p.s. there is another scene - with MC making out with an older woman. It came absolutely out of nowhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicide