I thought Table for Two would be a good introduction to Amor Towels. There were only a couple of stories that I enjoyed. I did find that this author has a calm, smooth tone.

This is my first Amor Towles book and I will definitely read more. I absolutely loved the short stories. I did not like the novella. Perhaps because I did not have the background connection that Towles fans have to the story, but also because I didn't like the switch from NY to LA or the time period switch.

Wonderful Amor Towles: I have never read an unsatisfying book by this author. Enough said. The book is actually a collection of short stories, not the author’s usual wheelhouse. As in his other books, there is some humor, some seriousness, and overall an excellent purchase for any library.

I love Amor Towles. Despite the allusions to Rules of Civility, Towles stories all seem to be different in such a way that could make the reader believe they’re all written by separate authors. The tone of each of these pieces, even the humor and phrasing helped to make these stories distinct. I love all the endings (or lack thereof!) and they left me responsible for what came next. Excellent way to engage the reader.

I really enjoyed reading "Table for Two" by Amor Towles. The first two short stories were my favorite in the book. Well done!

I am really not a fan of the short story. But when the writer of the short story compilation is Amor Towles, one is forced to change one's mind. His mesmerizing style of writing draws one into the story immediately and captivates throughout.

Mr. Towels' latest offering is a collection of six short stories and one delicious novella that are sure to satisfy. The novella is a spin-off? of Mr. Towels' first novel, "Rules of Civility", in which the character, Eve, is the main character here.

I had a wonderful time reading this book and highly recommend it.

I loved Towles's previous books—A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway. In Table for Two, there are several short stories and a novella about a woman in Golden Age Hollywood, whose unique talents are employed by the major film studios. It wasn't what I was expecting, and I prefer his novels, but I enjoy his writing immensely.

Towles does it again! His books are a pleasure to read; witty, charming, smart and stylish. Plus the added treat of reuniting with Eve from Rules of Civility was such a joy

Note: This review will be published in the April edition of BookBrowse.com along with a related essay for their Beyond the Book section on Olivia de Havilland and the Hollywood Studio System. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC copy.

Amor Towles’s new short story collection Table for Two reads as something of a dream compilation for those of us who have dearly wished we could spend just a bit more time in the company of his characters and in the fully imagined settings of his novels Rules of Civility (2011), A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), and The Lincoln Highway (2021). Now it becomes clear that the author may have felt that way, too.

While we get just a short whiff of the Moscow location of Towles’s Gentleman in Moscow in “The Line,” the first of six stories that make up the New York section of Table for Two, the general sensibility, gentle humor, and expert storytelling we associate with Towles and, perhaps his greatest character, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, reverberate through all of the stories, particularly the wry first-person narrative of “The Didomenico Fragment.” Here, retired art expert Percival Skinner recounts his attempt to broker the sale of a fragment of an important Italian Renaissance painting of the Annunciation that his family has increasingly mutilated as each successive generation has cut it into smaller pieces to pass down equal sections to their children in an ever-shrinking inheritance. This is only one element of the story, but it demonstrates how Towles can present us readers with an absolutely absurd proposition, but in such a reasonable manner that we don’t even blink as we easily visualize the dwindling artifact. In this story, as in others in the volume, readers are kept engrossed by one surprising plot twist after another; Guy de Maupassant would be proud.

The second, and perhaps most satisfying, Los Angeles section of the book contains the novella “Eve in Hollywood,” which serves as a sequel of sorts to Rules of Civility, and reintroduces the intrepid character Eve Ross, now busy creating a new life for herself in Hollywood. (I will note here that the novella stands alone, and will also appeal to readers who have not read Rules of Civility.)

We last heard of twenty-something Eve at the end of Rules of Civility when she left New York still reeling from a series of traumatic events. We were told that on the train to her parents’ midwestern home, she suddenly changed her mind and extended her ticket through to Los Angeles. Later, she was glimpsed in a gossip magazine photograph in the company of a “boisterous Olivia de Havilland.” And from these two small pieces of information, Towles has constructed his novella.

Eve ends up at the elegant Beverly Hills Hotel where she gathers a small collection of wonderful, eccentric friends, including the charming young actress Olivia de Havilland, who has just completed her role as Maid Marian starring with Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood. The reader will be forgiven for again thinking of the Metropole Hotel setting of A Gentleman in Moscow. There is something about a grand hotel that Towles just can’t seem to resist, and thank goodness for that. But instead of the grey Moscow skyline, Towles now harnesses the evocative setting of Los Angeles in the late 1930s, those years just before the Second World War when Hollywood was at its peak of glamour and the jasmine-scented air felt ripe with possibility.

Of course, one can’t write about Los Angeles of this period without giving a nod to the great LA writers of the era, particularly Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, and Towles includes an exciting mystery subplot in which Eve gets to the bottom of a blackmailing scheme using nothing but brains, clever repartee, friends with the right skills, and a surprisingly handy recipe for concocting a drug-laced Micky Finn to knock out the baddies.

The introduction of real people into the mix, such as Olivia de Havilland and the film executive Jack Warner, works wonders to establish a strong sense of time and place, as does the snappy dialogue that feels straight out of the mouths of Nick and Nora Charles in any of the Thin Man films. In all, this is a delightful group of stories to dive into, and Towles will not disappoint any of his admirers.

It should be noted that, as is often the case with story collections, several of the stories have previously appeared elsewhere. I distinctly remember sitting on an airplane some years ago listening to an Audible Original recording of the “The Didomenico Fragment,” read by the great John Lithgow, and an earlier version of “Eve in Hollywood” was published as a Penguin special edition. But regardless of the stories’ publication history, readers will still appreciate having them in a single volume for the first time

I normally enjoy Towles' books. I had a tough time getting into this one and did not finish it, although I did getalmost halfway through.
I was disappointed.

A Highly Recommended Reading Experience

SUMMARY
Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow (2016) and The Rules of Civility (2011), has released one of the most anticipated books of 2024. Table for Two is a series of six short stories and a novella stemming from Towles’ own experiences and imagination.

REVIEW
All of Towles's short stories in Table for Two are delightful and profound. Reading them was like enjoying a fabulous meal, with each story serving as a different course. After each course, you’ll want to pause to think, take a breath, and savor his beautiful word choice and the thought-provoking themes. Towles’ writing is simply delicious, and the novella featuring Evelyn Ross (Rules of Civility) was a particularly enjoyable dessert, complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

These captivating stories are historical in nature, set around the turn of the century. According to Towles in a recent interview, two of the characters in Table for Two will appear in one of his yet-to-be-published novels. I can hardly wait.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Viking for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Penguin Group Viking
Published April 2, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

What a wonderful gift Amor Towels has given us! This is a superb collection from start to finish.

Towles' writing, as always, is immersive and brings the reader fully into the story world. There's a remarkable sense of place in each story in TABLE FOR TWO, both in terms of time period and setting. The use of sensory details adds another layer.

My favorite aspect of Towles' writing is how he brings astute psychological insights to the page and brings his characters alive. You never feel like he's preaching to you, but yet you come away feeling a little bit wiser. I adore that.

Prior familiarity with Towles' work is by no means required, but may provide even more enjoyment with respect to the novella, which relates to a character from Rules of Civility.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Viking and the author Amor Towles for this advanced copy of Table for Two in exchange for my honest opinion.

I started this book thinking it would be the same Amor Towles that I know and love. Boy was I wrong in a good way.

Each little "vignette" was delightful. I loved the stories and how they were laid out. It took me over a week to get through this as I was reading one section per evening before bed.

Amor is a master! I will read anything that he writes.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc!

This was a fantastic piece of writing! Towles is a fantastic storyteller and really brings characters to life in his writing, and I look forward to seeing what comes next. I'm sure we'll be adding this to our book club rotation. I'm looking forward to listening to this as well, as I feel like Towle's books really sing on audio.

I am not generally a fan of short stories, however, this is a beautifully written gift from Amor Towels which I highly recommend. The story of Eve from Rules of Civility showcases her going to Hollywood and a different path she could have taken. The story of standing in line for food and making it a positive experience by helping others is a treasure.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

Amor Towles is a delightful author. One is never quite sure what to expect, but only to know he will not disappoint the reader. My favorite was Pushkin, an immigrant from Russia living in New York, who turned waiting in line into an art and caused him to fare far better than he would have otherwise.
The longer novella gave greater insight into Evelyn Ross (Rules of Civility) who is in 1920s Hollywood, dealing with big name stars and the studios who control their every move. The dialogue moves right along and we are given some very clear insights into why people behave the way they do.

A beautiful collection of short fiction by an incredibly talented writer. Some stories were historical and showed a glimpse of a life that was hard but steadfast. Some were contemporary and showed a true sense of human nature and the will to be successful and to survive. The novella of Old Hollywood was a solid inclusion in this collection, a beautiful arrangement.

Definitely a must read for 2024! Amor Towles is an amazing storyteller. His latest collection of short stories, Table for Two, transports the reader with each tale. The format is not my favorite to read but Towles' writing is so amazing it drew me in to each tale.

The tone, atmosphere and characters vary but the majority of stories take place in New York. The novella picks up on his character from Rules of Civility, Eve Ross, as she impulsively decides to go to Hollywood instead of returning to her home in Indiana.

The writing is flawless and each story is a precious jewel that captures the reader. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the advanced copy.

I am a huge fan of Amor Towles. I am also a huge fan of short stories. That being said, I loved every word, every page and had to call my sister to quote some lines!! Some of my favorite short stories were from O'Henry. And I love them because of the twist you don't see coming. Several of these stories were not the same sort of twist, but there was a feeling of awe for me at the end.

Amor Towles is such an amazing story teller. Each of these stories, plus the novelette continuing the story of Eve from Rules of Civility, is different in setting, tone, mood and characters. But each is a great capsule of personalities and the time and place where they occur.

Don't expect Gentleman from Moscow. But do let yourself be carried into each tale and appreciate the language, the humor, and the cleverness of the story. He weaves the most wonderful scenarios. From revolutionary Russia to 30s Hollywood, from peasants to movie moguls -- it's all highly enjoyable. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.