Mr Towles has such a wonderful talent. This collection of short stories and the novella were fun to read. Each something different and it was good to read about New York. I will continue to pick up whatever he writes!

“For the world to have any sense of justice, a team of artisans had to come forward with their hammers and paintbrushes and pumice stones in order to patiently unmake the palaces of the proud.”

Appreciate the genius of Amor Towles…savor his writing same as you would a glass of fine wine (or whiskey as might be more appropriate in his tales).

“Table for Two” is split into two parts; the first a series of short stories, the second a novella followup to Eve’s story from “Rules of Civility.” The common thread throughout are a variety of contemplative encounters between two people (thus the title.)

Towles is an extremely talented storyteller. His descriptions and character reflections are so thoughtful. He weaves layers upon layers seamlessly. What is amazing is how he retains that skill in short story and novella format, where there is less space to build layers. That is gifted. I LOVED the short stories…tiny wonders of art and humanity! I also really liked Eve in Hollywood… it had an old Hollywood film noir crime story feel. It was interesting how while the title implies Eve to be the central force, she is one of many characters who share face time. And yet we sort of see Hollywood in its glory and darker shame through the eyes of our heroine, Eve, who is always watching/assessing. She lives above the facade, connects with real people and always in control, chooses her time to “skedaddle.” I would love to see a novel of all of her adventures, traveling off of her “plans and aspirations, a celebration of the not yet done, of what thou shalt.”

Honestly, I would have preferred this as two separate entities, with one book a novella, the other a book of short stories. They are each strong on their own. I’m not sure why they needed to be combined. It just made for an unnecessarily THICK book for SHORT stories and a SHORT novel. It made me wonder what I missed along the way and what were the hidden connections which took a bit of pleasure out of relaxing and enjoying the ride.

Regardless, I still appreciated the fine storytelling!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC!

Having previously read Amor Towles other books, I was thrilled to read his latest book. Seven different short stories having to do with New York city, each one was unique and fresh, From the minute you start on page one you are captured into his wonderful writing skills and keeps you to turning the pages as you want to see what happens next.
I look forward to many more books by this author and I will happily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great book.

"Table for Two" by Amor Towles is a dazzling collection of short fiction that takes readers on a journey through the bustling streets of New York City and the glitz of Golden Age Hollywood. In the New York stories set around 2000, Towles explores the intricacies of modern marriages and the consequences of chance encounters, inviting reflection on love and commitment. Meanwhile, in the novella "Eve in Hollywood," readers are transported to Tinseltown's golden era as Evelyn Ross navigates a noirish tale of self-discovery amidst the glamour of movie sets and dive bars. With Towles's signature wit and sophistication, "Table for Two" captivates with its richly drawn characters and evocative settings, offering a stylish and transporting literary experience for fans old and new.

Amor Towles, author of A Gentlemen in Moscow (currently an online streaming series) and The Lincoln Highway, has become a must-read writer. Table for Two is a collection of short stories which is a shift from his previous complex novels. He six stories are set in New York City with a variety of characters and eras ranging from an accidental forger of famous authors’ signatures to a chance airport meeting with a charismatic salesman. The book also includes a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood with a character from Towles’ Rules of Civility. Themes of the stories bring to mind old Twilight Zone television episodes where the main character becomes caught up in situations beyond his or her control yet Towles playfully mixes in dry humor as scenes spiral out of control. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read where one can sit back and savor each page.

Amor Towles has done it again! Although I usually don't read short stories, these stories captivated me from the first one. I thought each one I read was better than the one before and I loved them all! Amor Towles is an absolute master and I already can't wait to see what he does next. He might be the best writer of our time!

Anything written by Amor Towles is on my reading list. His stories are clever, and his writing is creative; nothing mundane here. Reading each of these short stories is compelling with one exception, but I'm not complaining. Six stories take place in New York and a novella in Los Angeles, hence the title. I wondered how he was going to tie up all of the loose ends in his last piece, but they all fell into place. Towles is a masterful writer.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this group of Towles' stories in exchange for my honest review.
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My first Amor Towles: It was a great introduction to his work. I loved the different settings in place and time period. Loved the connection to Rules of Civility, a book I’ve had on my TBR for years. The settings span from Russia to NYC to Los Angeles, truly wonderful and captivating.

Amor Towles evocative, luxurious prose translates just as well into short fiction as it does to a novel, evidenced here in this lovely story collection.

Towles seems to have a unique gift for creating atmosphere with minimal amounts of description, an interesting phenomenon and no small feat for a writer. What he’s actual writing about matters a lot less than it does with most writers, though Towles is no slouch at selecting content either.

The star of this collection is The Ballad of Timothy Touchett. Also worthy of 5+ stars was The DiDomenico feast. I also greatly enjoyed I Will Survive and Los Angeles (a novella that revisits the characters from Rules of Civility).

All seven stories are worth a read though, with no let downs among them. I wondered a bit if the novella would have been best published separately, as the difference in length from the rest (which are true short stories) makes for an odd reader experience. Mostly though, I appreciated the tightness of this. It’s so rare to find a collection in which none of the entires turn out to be filler.

This was a really delightful selections of short stories sure to appeal to the fans of Amor Towles as well as those who might be new to the author.

Amor Towles's "Table for Two" is a literary feast that tantalizes the senses and nourishes the soul. With his signature wit, charm, and elegance, Towles invites readers into the enchanting world of love, passion, and gastronomy converge to create an unforgettable experience.

But perhaps the greatest strength of "Table for Two" lies in its exploration of love and relationships. Each story navigates the complexities of romance and friendship, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates deeply. From the fiery passion of a new love affair to the bittersweet nostalgia of old flames, Towles captures the essence of human connection with sensitivity and grace.

In conclusion, "Table for Two" is a five-star masterpiece that will delight and enchant readers from start to finish. With its delectable prose, captivating characters, this novel is a feast for the senses that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you're a romantic or simply a lover of great literature, "Table for Two" is a must-read that will satisfy your appetite for storytelling at its finest.

A good number of readers seem to have an aversion to reading short fiction collections. That fact is a shame in general, but especially in regards to the latest book by Amor Towles, as in passing it by they would be depriving themselves of one of the best books of the year. Across 6 short stories set in New York City and 1 novella in Los Angeles, Towles shows exactly why his fans make it a point to never miss one of his books.

The New York tales mostly take place in the present day, aside from opener “The Line”, and follow a variety of people who either through luck or will find themselves in situations that promise to change their circumstances. In the vein of many classic fables, these characters also find that their decisions often lead to a fateful lesson they hadn’t foreseen but likely deserved. “The Bootlegger” is the best of these and follows an investment banker who believes the elderly gentleman seated next to him at Carnegie Hall is surreptitiously recording the concerts, but who quickly comes to regret making an accusation against him.

The novella, “Eve In Hollywood”, takes up the latter half of the book and follows Evelyn Ross from Towles’ prior novel Rules of Civility as she arrives in Los Angeles looking to start her life anew. At first it plays out as a series of seemingly random encounters with interesting strangers but gradually reveals itself to be the assemblage of a new social circle as she becomes embroiled in an effort to rescue the actress Olivia DeHavilland from a potentially major scandal.

Every single sentence of this book is a joy to read, with Towles at the top of his game throughout. In prose that is witty and erudite while avoiding pretension he manages to elicit smiles during the most mundane of moments. His characters practically leap off the page and their relationships with each other feel genuine. The stories aren’t particularly “short” and always reach satisfying conclusions, but the worlds contained within them are so endearing that it’s hard not to wish to spend more time in each. Longtime fans of the author will delight in this volume though it would serve as a fantastic entry point for newcomers as well. Table for Two proves one of the most purely pleasurable reads I’ve come across in years.

This collection of shorter stories from Amor Towles does not disappoint! The characters are so well written, you find yourself craving more of their story when you finish reading.

I don’t usually love story collections as they are a bit like cocktail parties where just when I get to know someone I am having to meet someone new, but this one was like visiting old friends. And lovely writing, of course!

Six short stories and a novella from the master. I loved Towles’ The Lincoln Highway, A Gentleman in Moscow, and Rules of Civility and his rich and resonate writing is the star of each of these stories. Set in different cities and countries, even continents and eras, these stories with grand characters are among the best I have read.

If anyone can get me to pick up a short story/novella collection with eagerness, it’s Amor Towles. TABLE FOR TWO features six short stories set in New York city that explore the nuances of marriage and conversations across the table as well as the novella, Eve in Hollywood which continues the life of a character from one of my favorite novels, Rules of Civility.

I approached the short stories with a bit of skepticism, but to my surprise I really enjoyed them. It was thought-provoking to consider what message Amor was attempting to convey in a limited number of words. The novella was unfortunately less enjoyable to me. It somehow felt too long as well as too short all at the same time. The pace was very contemplative and I struggled to stay engaged in the story. I much prefer Amor’s full-length novels but am thankful for the opportunity to branch out and try something new. I’m averaging out my enjoyment of the full book and landing on 3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4 stars)

Speaking of Amor’s novels, who is tuning into the A Gentleman in Moscow mini series coming soon?

Many thanks to Viking and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Despite my love of Amor Towles’ ‘The Lincoln Highway’ and ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ and appreciation of his ‘Rules of Civility’, I wasn’t enthralled with ‘Table for Two’. Granted short stories tend to be like a box of chocolate, loving some while disliking others, I found myself not enjoying most, although I did enjoy ‘Eve in Hollywood’, which to be fair, is a longer novella and so characterization is slightly more established. Saying that, this might be a nice introduction to Mr Towels, as you can get a taste of Mr Towles easy way of words.

This is my first time reading Amor Towles. Often reading short stories by an author helps to give you an idea about tracking down some of their full-length books. I am beginning my review with my reactions to each of the six short stories at the beginning of the book:

The Line - ⭐⭐⭐
A man gets creative with his line-waiting chores. Perhaps a testament to his inner capitalist? Made me think of the classic quote: "They also serve who only stand and wait."

The Ballad of Timothy Touchett - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aspiring writer obsesses over the lives of those who have excelled at the endeavor. Then he meets a rare book dealer and his morals begin to bend.

Hasta Luego - ⭐⭐⭐
A passenger with an unexpected layover finds himself helping a wife keep her husband in line.

I Will Survive - ⭐
Our narrator takes breaks in his narrative about a senior citizen's secret hobby to pompously promote his Upper Manhattan Bubble view of Planned Parenthood.

The Bootlegger - ⭐⭐⭐
An ethics crisis over symphony etiquette results in unintended consequences in the 5th row of Carnegie Hall.

The DiDomenico Fragment - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Renaissance painting of The Annunciation has been sectioned out over the years to the heirs of the original owners. Just one piece is left in the family and there are collectors on the prowl.

Eve In Hollywood (Novella) -⭐⭐⭐⭐
A comprehensive view of old Hollywood featuring Evelyn Ross and a smorgasbord of POVs. When you work for the moguls, your work is legit. Evelyn uses that knowledge to protect a young starlets reputation with some help from a retired cop named Charlie. He was my favorite character.

This will be a satisfying read for Amor Towles fans. I liked the novella the very best and am rounding up to four stars after some reflection. Happy Pub Day!

Thank you to Viking and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not usually a big fan of short stories, but each one of these is a gem. I also loved Rules of Civility, and I enjoyed the novella in this collection. I am ready to read anything Amor Towles writes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It seems as though Amor Towles had a ripping good time writing these stories and his enthusiasm for his characters, storylines, and most of all the authorial hand or slight of hand, so expertly played… well it is contagious.
Each of the stories and the novelette, concerns those small, often unforeseen moments that delineate the fork in the road, sometimes geographical, often moral, and frequently ill-advised. How Towles characters cope with these ethical quandaries that resonate far beyond the triggering incident, is unpredictable, yet inevitable. The writing is both humorous and compassionate and often incandescent. One of the reasons I admire Towles work is that I find the whispers of classical authors in them; not in a derivative sense but in the best way possible: seeing the traces of their influence in his careful, joyful creations. I found echoes of Gogol in “The Line,” a story of a bumbling Russian immigrant whose genius is expressed though waiting in lines. Also making an appearance between the lines in these stories were O. Henry, Dickens, and oddly enough even Terry Pratchett (another author who clearly delighted in his characters).

But the greatest power of this weighty collection came in the last story, almost a novelette, which extends the storyline of the enigmatic Eve, last seen in The Rules of Civility. Eve, whose stunning face has become disfigured, due to a car accident, was on a train heading to Chicago but instead decides to take it to Hollywood. Her introduction to Hollywood, begins on the train when she meets Charlie, a retired avuncular LAPD officer. It deepens once Eve is ensconced in the Beverly Hills Hotel and becomes acquaintances, then friends with Prentice, a massively overweight has-been former movie idol, Billy, an aspiring young stunt man, and the young Olivia Havilland. Eve shows an entirely different side of herself in this novelette; she has a fierce noir-infused kindness, wrapped in fearlessness and the self-confidence that is somewhat reminiscent of a female Humphrey Bogart. She also has a blue-ribbon BS detector, which she employs in tangles with blackmailers, unscrupulous paparazzi, and studio heads. Eve is a delight and the plot that swirls around her shows Towles characteristic skilled maneuvering and his equally zealous investment in well-earned outcomes that do not have to be dour. This is a rarity in literary fiction. Whenever his next book will be published, it will be too long a wait.