Amor Towles can write a really good story!
Pushkin’s story was the first and for me the best. The ultimate passive gentleman. Life happens to him and he is perfectly content with the smallest of moments. We live in a society that praises those who are constantly busy, productive and striving for money and status. But sometimes, being more Pushkin is what we all need.
The writing is so addictive. Reading this was like enjoying a smooth, creamy milkshake. So good.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

The problem with reviewing “Table for Two” by Amor Towles is that each and every gem of its six short stories, as well as the novella, deserves its own review. Using the language used by the author to describe a very special cup of coffee, they all are “unassailable, incontrovertibly, indismissibly good.” Deft phrasing, bittersweet but never maudlin, with no “hint of the half-assed,” the author’s conversational style captures the reader as only the very best storytellers can. Not to be missed!

I am not normally a fan of short stories but these from Amor Towles are exquisite. They are of course well written and full of characters you want to know all about, but the stories are so clever and thought provoking.
I have not read ‘Rules of Civility’ which is maybe why the novella following Evelyn To L.A. was my least favourite of the collection. This however did not dull the book for me and I will be recommending it to our patrons!

Amor Towles is a wonderful writer. These stories really make you think. My complaint is really just a personal preference; I prefer novels or novellas to short stories. I feel like most short stories suffer from their length. It's hard to fully develop characters, settings and story lines in a short story format. I feel most of these stories would have been more engaging if they had been lengthened and fleshed out more. I love Towles' novels, and I would still recommend this book to everyone. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The short stories that make up the first part of Towles’ Table for Two showcase his ability to craft characters and situations into memorable imprints that leave the reader with vivid snapshots. In “The Line,” the reader follows a couple from a budding communist Russia to New York, where standing in line represents an accepted and acceptable choice. In “The Ballad of Timothy Touchett” Towles crafts a story that will probably make it down into high school literature books as a well-crafted cautionary with the cadence and tone of an American tall tale. I loved “I Will Survive” – it was only as I pondered the events and the minor tragedies of this story that my eye snagged on the title and recognized its import. My favorite was “The Bootlegger,” in part because I recognize myself in situations where righteous indignation reveals my complete lack of perspective. The novella, “Eve in Hollywood” further demonstrates Towles’ prowess as a writer of historical fiction. Readers who enjoyed Rules of Civility get the full story of Eve’s journey to Los Angeles, to the Golden Age of Hollywood and its gilded underbelly.

I have had the pleasure to read two short story collections in the past month, and recommend the exercise to all of my novel-reading friends. You only realize how much you’re starving for a good small meal when you get a hold of fantastic short fiction. Each of the stories is a masterful amuse-bouche or entrée in the prix fixe meal that is A Table for Two.

My thanks to Penguin Group Viking and Netgalley for access to the ARC. Opinions stated herein are my own; I receive no remuneration for my review.

This is a collection of sophisticated stories primarily set in New York City. They a wry, witty and astute in their observations of human nature. If you enjoy Amor Towles writing you these will not disappoint. The last half of the book takes place in LA and continues the story of Eve from Rules of Civilty. You don’t want to miss this.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.

The e-galley copy of this book was in a PDF format that I was unable to read on my phone as they print was miniscule and I was unable to resize. But I'm very much looking forward to reading this once it comes out. I've yet to read an Amor Towles book that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.

I was so fortunate to receive an advanced reading copy of Amor Towles' upcoming work billed as short stories and entitled Table for Two. I consider him one of the preeminent authors of our time. At first it does seem to be a series of unrelated short stories but they soon intertwine to create the story of an enigmatic young woman and those she encounters on her cross country train trip escaping from New York and ultimately ending up in Hollywood of the 30's . Skirting the famous and infamous of that era, the characters are wonderfully drawn, from the over the hill actor, to an elderly widower, a. angry jobless screen photographer a former vice cop and a sweet Olivia de Haviland to whose aid our heroine arrives. Similar to his Gentleman from Moscow, the setting revolves around a magnificent hotel, in this case The luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel. And there's murder. I hated for it to end, as I want to find out what Evelyn does next.

Amor Towles' latest Table for Two features several short stories and one novella. Most of the short stories take place in New York City, while the novella follows Evelyn Ross from Rules of Civility after she leaves New York for Los Angeles. Amor Towles is at his best with his characters, and Table for Two is no different.

Amor Towles' fiction never disappoints. While the format is different in Table for Two, a collection of short stories and a novella, we are nonetheless entranced by Mr. Towles use of language to convey aspects of the human condition. I recommend this collection for book clubs and Towles' fans alike.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

Patrons of our library will certainly enjoy this short-story collection. Towles's writing is flawless, as always, and the characters are vividly portrayed, even when we only see a snippet of their story. Recommended for purchase by the Scottsboro Public Library.

So grateful to net galley and the publisher for this read. Towles has always been a favorite of mine even though his books are always a gentler start. I am not really a short story fan but found several in the collection that I enjoyed. Towles is always reliable for rich character development and doesn’t disappoint here.

This type of book is totally out of the norm of what I like to read. The synopsis intrigued me so I took a chance. I was delightfully surprised I enjoyed the short stories. I can see why Amor Towles receives rave reviews for his past work. Each story was quite interesting to it's location, and to the people it followed. Definitely a detailed and observant read.

This is an exquisite collection. Each story has stayed with me. So unique, captivating and thought provoking. Amor Towles can communicate so much about the outer and inner life of the character and the time and place in which they exist. And the themes in each are so relevant to any era. I have already promoted this book and have many plans to present it during formal readers advisory initiatives this Spring. Thank you!

In typical Amor Towles fashion, this is a slow read with memorable characters. While this wasn’t my favorite of Towles’ works, I think his fans will still enjoy this one, particularly short story fans! Most stories are set in New York.

Table for Two
by Amor Towles
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this collection in exchange for my honest opinion.
From the bestselling author of The Lincoln Highway, A Gentleman in Moscow, and Rules of Civility, a richly detailed and sharply drawn collection of stories, including a novella featuring one of his most beloved characters
Not being a devoted short story fan, I nevertheless really enjoyed several of those included in this book. The author’s ability to create memorable characters is outstanding and is only surpassed by the unique situations he manages to put them in.
This is a long collection. I think I would have preferred two novels but that's just me.
4 stars

I enjoyed this collection for the most part. If you like Amor Towles other works, you will most likely enjoy this one too. His works are slow and pensive and this ones style is no different. I read Rules of Civility but didn't remember the characters very well and felt a little confused during that novella. There were a lot of characters and it took me a long time to feel grounded in that story. I don't think this will be one that sticks with me forever, but I enjoyed the time I spent with it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Although short stories are generally not my cup of tea, these were magnificent. The twists and turns and the brilliant writing once again puts Amor Towles at the top!

Not being a devoted short story fan, I nevertheless really enjoyed several of those included in this book. The author’s ability to create memorable characters is outstanding and is only surpassed by the unique situations he manages to put them in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Press for the ARC to read and review.