Table for Two (Rules of Civility #1.5)

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss Table for Two, a book in the Rules of Civility series by Amor Towles.

Pages: 451 pages

Length: 1 month (June)

Participants: Lorraine, Valerie

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

[Lorraine]

On Sunday, I finished the first story in Table for Two, titled The Line. I haven’t read many short story collections before, so this is a new experience for me. (view spoiler)[The story was good, though it didn’t quite meet the high expectations I have for this author. I'm not sure what we're meant to take away from it—or if it will eventually connect to other stories in the book.

One thing that stood out is how quickly the character seems to revert to old behaviors and personality traits, no matter where they are. The adaptation happens almost instantly. Having never moved to another country myself, I wonder if that's truly how it works. (hide spoiler)]

[Lorraine]

I finished the second story yesterday, and it was definitely an improvement. It made me laugh a few times. (view spoiler)[ I do wonder, though—was Timothy really as innocent as he seemed, or is that just what the author wants us to believe? (hide spoiler)]

Not sure I'll have time today for the third story. We'll see.

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "On Sunday, I finished the first story in Table for Two, titled The Line. I haven’t read many short story collections before, so this is a new experience for me. The story was good, though it didn’t..."
I enjoyed this one as it revisited some of the themes from A Gentleman in Moscow (although in a much lighter version). I agree with you Lorraine that it is about the unchanging nature of human identity. Having lived in several expat communities, I’d say there is some truth to the idea that wherever we go, we take our essential selves with us - for better or worse!

[Lorraine]

Valerie wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "On Sunday, I finished the first story in Table for Two, titled The Line. I haven’t read many short story collections before, so this is a new experience for me. The story was good,..."

I need to read that book. I heard so many good things about it!

[Lorraine]

Finished the third story, Hasta Luego. (view spoiler)[ It was a good story, but not really the kind that interests me—probably because it hits a bit too close to my own family history. I'm also not sure strangers should be made to feel responsible for taking care of someone struggling with alcoholism. That said, I do understand that with children involved, the wife and mother would be desperate for help. (hide spoiler)]

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "I finished the second story yesterday, and it was definitely an improvement. It made me laugh a few times. [spoilers removed]

Not sure I'll have time today for the third story. We'll see."
Yes it was quite amusing and enjoyable. As to Timothy, (view spoiler)[ I think the phrase ‘path of least resistance’ sums him up. If he was ever innocent, it wouldn’t have lasted long. (hide spoiler)]

[Lorraine]

Valerie wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I finished the second story yesterday, and it was definitely an improvement. It made me laugh a few times. [spoilers removed]

Not sure I'll have time today for the third story. We..."

ahahah! Did not know that phrase but will add it to my wisdom!

[Lorraine]

Finished the fourth story, I Will Survive. (view spoiler)[ I really liked it, especially the ending—though I would have preferred a happy one. Still, I found it original and thought-provoking. I appreciated that the author portrayed Nell as partially responsible for what happened. It’s a reminder that you should never interfere in a couple’s relationship, especially when one partner explicitly asks you not to. (hide spoiler)]

[Lorraine]

Fifth story: The Bootlegger. (view spoiler)[Ah, that one was really funny! It’s such a great example of how you shouldn’t judge without knowing the full story—or better yet, that you shouldn’t judge at all unless you’re an actual judge! Poor Tommy. He was so caught up in doing what he thought was right that he completely missed his chance to grow. (hide spoiler)]

Hope to finish the 6th story today and then get to Eve in Hollywood!

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "Finished the third story, Hasta Luego. [spoilers removed]"
Yes I thought this one was well done as the reader, along with the protagonist, gradually understands the truth and what he’s got himself into. At any point he could walk away but he doesn’t which says something positive about human nature, I feel.

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "Finished the fourth story, I Will Survive. [spoilers removed]"
Yes I agree with you on this one, it was indeed both enjoyable and thought provoking. I believe that it is dishonesty that destroys relationships, or more precisely lack of trust which is hard to recover from. As for Nell, I think she needed to be more honest about her motivations and should take some of the blame.

[Lorraine]

A few words on story number 6: The DiDomenico Fragment.
(view spoiler)[ Always satisfying when the person trying to outsmart everyone else ends up being the architect of their own downfall. The story cleverly plays with the idea that those who see themselves as the brightest often fall hardest—trapped by their own arrogance...I Like it! (hide spoiler)]

[Lorraine]

And now, a few words on the final story, Eve in Hollywood.
(view spoiler)[What a fantastic piece. I was almost disappointed by how short it was—until I realized it didn’t need to be any longer. The author crafted a near-perfect story in just a few pages. So many crime and mystery books these days stretch on for 500 pages or more, but this one proved that a sharp, clever plot doesn’t need that kind of length to deliver impact.

As for the story itself—I absolutely loved that the con man ends up being the one conned. That twist never gets old when it’s done right, and here it was spot-on. And Eve! What a brilliant character. Smart, composed, and just plain cool. She stole the show.

This story reminded me of the Ocean’s Eleven films— with Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Have you seen them? I think it’s time I rewatch them! (hide spoiler)]

I am now waiting for A Gentleman in Moscow! Should get it in about 4 weeks. I really like this author.

[Denise]

Lorraine wrote: "And now, a few words on the final story, Eve in Hollywood.
What a fantastic piece. I was almost disappointed by how short it was—until I realized it didn’t need to be any longer. The author crafted..."

I loved A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway. More so than Table For Two. Enjoy!

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "Fifth story: The Bootlegger. [spoilers removed]

Hope to finish the 6th story today and then get to Eve in Hollywood!"
Yes very funny and very clever with the way it twists to reveal the real situation just when you think you’ve figured it out. I thought the narrative of the wife added to the wit and humour. So glad she got rewarded and he missed out.

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "A few words on story number 6: The DiDomenico Fragment.
[spoilers removed]"

Yes it was a satisfying twist but I thought he took it gracefully and it brought him some reward as he became closer to a family which wouldn’t have happened if he’d been resentful about being bested.

[Lorraine]

I agree. I think he found something more important.

[Valerie]

Read part 1 of Eve. Very enjoyable and definitely raising a smile. She’s certainly one resourceful and determined woman who disrupts the lives of those she meets in a good way. Interested to see what she will do in her new job, hope it doesn’t tie her down too much.

[Valerie]

Lorraine wrote: "And now, a few words on the final story, Eve in Hollywood.
What a fantastic piece. I was almost disappointed by how short it was—until I realized it didn’t need to be any longer. The author crafted..."
Yes I agree, it had me hooked from start to finish and all got their just desserts. Eve was indeed magnificent but I also really appreciated how Prentice and Charlie both rediscovered themselves. A great read.
I’ve read A Gentleman in Moscow twice and loved it both times. The TV series is good as well although rather too short to really do justice to the scope of the novel. Enjoy!