Rules of Civility By Amor Towles

Rules of Civility is the first novel from Amor Towles. I now know why this book has gotten a bit of buzz. The novel is well written in a way that made me sad when I had to put it down. It is about Katey, who tells the story of her youth in New York City.  It has a variety of interesting characters. 
The story has elements of sadness, hope, and the prospects that can only come from an independent woman in her mid to late twenties.  The tale occurs from 1937-1940, when Katey and the people she meets have life altering experiences and their lives fell apart, yet slowly come together in a way they would have never expected.
The tale is well told in an almost hypnotic way.  You are transported to a time of luxury and excess at a time when not everyone was so fortunate.  Katey's rise in the social classes of New York in the late 1930s is an intriguing story that carries twists of fate that which a life could produce for such a no nonsense, strong and independent character.  
I highly recommend reading this tale of mystery of what happened between Katey and her larger than life friends.