This week did not include the impressive array of books I normally choose. Ha. At any rate, the best of the bunch was Amor Towles' Rules of Civility. The story follows New Yorker Katya/Katey from pre-WWII through the mid century and recalls the era with nostalgia that is not too sappy. This is a typical American reinvention story except that Katey, as the reader sees, never really completely leaves her past.
I think this is the reason the book appealed to me. We all reinvent ourselves, especially immigrants, but even back in the 1930s when becoming integrated into American society was the ultimate goal, and melting into the Pot was what all the young people wanted, they still retained something from "the old neighborhood."
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