Rules of Civility

On the cusp of 1938, in a bustling New York City jazz club, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent's life takes an unforeseen turn. What begins as an attempt to make three dollars last through the night transforms into an invitation into the city's exclusive upper crust, thanks to a chance encounter with the enigmatic banker, Tinker Grey. Plunged headfirst into a dazzling world of high society cocktail parties, opulent mansions, and glamorous magazine offices, Katey, along with her spirited friend Eve, grapples with the unwritten rules and unspoken expectations of this intoxicating milieu. As their fortunes rise and fall with the volatile currents of friendship, love, and ambition, Katey discovers the true cost of chasing dreams in a city where status is fleeting and the line between riches and ruin is razor-thin. Amor Towles's unforgettable debut masterfully evokes the glamour and grit of late 1930s New York, offering a poignant exploration of identity, independence, and the enduring power of self-invention.