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Quote by Amor Towles

“-You've got a . . . Lot of books, he said at last. -it's a sickness. -Are you . . . Seeing anyone for it? -I'm afraid it's untreatable. -is this the . . . Dewey decimal system? -No. But it's based on similar principles. Those are the British novelists. The French are in the kitchen. Homer, Virgil, and the other epics are by the tub. -I take it the . . . Transcendental its do better in the sunlight. -Exactly. -Do they need much water? -Not as much as you think. But lots of pruning. He pointed the volume toward a pile of books under my bed. -And the . . . Mushrooms? -The Russians. -Ah. -Who's winning? -Not me.”

Quote by Amor Towles

Work

Rules of Civility

In 'Rules of Civility,' the reader is transported to the vibrant and tumultuous era of the 1930s. The story revolves around the life of a young woman navigating the complexities of her social and romantic life in New York City. The novel delves into themes of class distinction, the pursuit of personal identity, and the transformative power of love and friendship. The narrative is rich with historical detail and offers a compelling look at the era's cultural landscape. more

Author

Amor Towles
Amor Towles

Amor Towles is an American author born in 1964. His works are known for their exquisite prose and profound character development, with notable titles including 'Rules of Civility' and 'A Gentleman in Moscow'. Towles' novels often set in mid-20th-century New York, exploring themes of social class, love, and moral dilemmas. more

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“In the end Navidson is left with one page and one match. For a long time he waits in darkness and cold, postponing this final bit of illumination. At last though, he grips the match by the neck and after locating the friction strip sparks to life a final ball of light. First, he reads a few lines by match light and then as the heat bites his fingertips he applies the flame to the page. Here then is one end: a final act of reading, a final act of consumption. And as the fire rapidly devours the paper, Navidson's eyes frantically sweep down over the text, keeping just ahead of the necessary immolation, until as he reaches the last few words, flames lick around his hands, ash peels off into the surrounding emptiness, and then as the fire retreats, dimming, its light suddenly spent, the book is gone leaving nothing behind but invisible traces already dismantled in the dark.”