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Aug 28, 2011 Denise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: knocked-my-socks-off, fiction, historical-fiction, debut-novel, kobo-e-book

I could not put this book down. The characters were facscinating and well-developed. I felt that I knew them...or wanted to know them. The story took place in New York City in the late 30's. The city was full of the monied and famed and those who wanted to climb the ladder for the money and fame. The city offered all sorts of delights and entertainment for the young during this period...jazz clubs, old Irish bars, and posh hotels and restaurants.

The story was narrated by Katherine (or Kate or K ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2017 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-books, 2017-tbr

Earlier this year, my book group selected A Gentleman in Moscow and we all enjoyed it. Looking for a title for November, we selected this, his first novel. This story is told through the voice of Katey Kontent, who comes to New York City in the 1920s to make a name and a life for herself. She befriends Eve, another girl in her rooming house and they begin to hang out where the wealthy meet. Katey is able to fake it through her new world until she actually rises above her very humble origins. It ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Antonia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, audio-audible, read-in-2017, read-in-2024

You might find this interesting. In her 2011 review of this book in the New York Times, Leisl Schillinger wrote:

"The saying 'May you live in interesting times' has undeniable resonance for the investment executive-turned- novelist Amor Towles. In 1989, he was set to go to China for two years to teach. When the Tiananmen Square massacre put an abrupt end to that plan, he headed for Manhattan. On his first night in the city, he met two strangers. One would become his brother-in-law; through the o ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Betsy rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, historical, on-audio, 2015, own-audio

Very well written story about an ordinary woman who happens to get drawn into a circle of the rich and powerful in NYC in the late 1930's. Being somewhat of an outsider, she maintains a canniness about the people and the setting. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the locales made you feel as though you were there. The audio version is quite well performed. ...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Suzanne Moore rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nominations-to-sort

Loved this book! The conversations between characters were delightful. Sad, happy, scandalous, romantic, and real. The story begins as flashback to the year 1938 when a photography exhibit triggers Katie's memories of a love she will always cherish despite the wrong turns that left her with a distance to far to travel.

Katy and her roommate Eve meet Tinker, a handsome, sophisticated, and wealthy man while out for drinks in Manhattan. Soon a friendship develops, followed by lover's triangle, so-to ...more

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Dec 21, 2011 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I very much enjoyed this book. Loved the characters, especially loved Eve, wish she was in the book more however. Love books that give you a window in which you can look at a certain period of time. Not sure if you would consider this Historical Fiction. But to experience New York in the late 1930's was fun. ...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Dee rated it liked it

Shelves: 2010-2019

This was a grand book! The setting was so well written. Manhattan in 1938. It was an intriguing book. Sort of like Holly Golightly meets Gatsby. It captures so much of the feel of the jazz and gin crowd, and so much more. It was definitely a pleasurable read.

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Jan 09, 2012 Tara rated it really liked it

Shelves: lit-fiction

I wish goodreads had half stars - I cannot quite give it 5 but it's definitely more than 4!

The characters drew you in and the setting was played out beautifully. A nice compliment to the Great Gatsby IMHO......although not quite as successful.

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Mar 01, 2012 Anne rated it it was amazing

Read for my Book Club. Reminded me of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Loved the time period (1930's), hosted the meeting at my house in a snow storm until the lights went out and the martinis were all gone!
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