Table for Two: Fictions

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 13,914 ratings

Price: 19.69

Last update: 01-20-2025


About this item

An Instant New York Times Bestseller

“A knockout collection. ... Sharp-edged satire deceptively wrapped like a box of Neuhaus chocolates, Table for Two is a winner.”—The New York Times

“Superb ... This may be Towles’ best book yet. Each tale is as satisfying as a master chef’s main course, filled with drama, wit, erudition and, most of all, heart.”—Los Angeles Times

Millions of Amor Towles fans are in for a treat as he shares some of his shorter fiction: six stories based in New York City and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood.

The New York stories, most of which take place around the year 2000, consider the fateful consequences that can spring from brief encounters and the delicate mechanics of compromise that operate at the heart of modern marriages.

In Towles’s novel Rules of Civility, the indomitable Evelyn Ross leaves New York City in September 1938 with the intention of returning home to Indiana. But as her train pulls into Chicago, where her parents are waiting, she instead extends her ticket to Los Angeles. Told from seven points of view, “Eve in Hollywood” describes how Eve crafts a new future for herself—and others—in a noirish tale that takes us through the movie sets, bungalows, and dive bars of Los Angeles.

Written with his signature wit, humor, and sophistication, Table for Two is another glittering addition to Towles’s canon of stylish and transporting fiction.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Renee Blango-Michie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amor Towles Excels Again
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2024
    Table for Two is a superb collection of short stories & a glorious novella. I enjoyed the plots, characters & Towles' literary style. I always feel as though I'm "in" the story & can easily make each unique journey with them. I'd recommend this book for young & mature readers. This book is hard to put down.
  • LindaL
    4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging characters
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
    Amor Towles is a great writer. If you enjoyed his other books, A Gentleman in Moscow, Rules of Civility, or The Lincoln Highway, you must read this collection of six short stories and a novella. If you haven't read any of his books, these stories might be an excellent place to begin. Towles has a fantastic ability to create characters that the reader will care about, and it is rare to do that well in short stories.

    Two of the more memorable stories from this collection are "Hasta Luego" and "The Bootlegger." In "Hasta Luega," Towle introduces us to Smitty, a cheerful, personable man who makes kind gestures and retains his composure at the airport after his flight is canceled. Jerry, the storyteller, meets Smitty at the airport, is allured by his positive attitude, and goes to the same hotel while they await the rescheduling of their flights. Jerry enjoys Smitty's amiable personality and his stories as they hang out in the hotel's bar. When Smitty and Jerry's phones get mixed up, Jerry discovers something about Smitty and his marriage and must make ethical decisions highlighting Jerry's true nature and humanity.

    In "The Bootlegger," Tommy, the storyteller, notices Mr. Fein, sitting near him at a Carnegie Hall concert, is recording the concert. Of course, this is prohibited, and Tommy decides to report the recording and ensure that Mr. Fein is appropriately reprimanded. When Tommy finds out that Mr. Fein has been recording the concerts for his sick wife, he feels remorseful for not being a more sensitive human being. Tommy sets out to apologize to Mr. Fein, and some poignant events ensue. Again, Towels portrays many aspects of humanity and marriage through these relatable characters.

    All the short stories take place in New York City, and places in New York, such as Central Park and Broadway, are prominent in some of them. In all of them, he delves into ethics, human nature, and relationships. Two people in each story sit at a metaphoric "table for two," which gives the collection its name.

    The novella, set in Los Angeles and Hollywood, is not as profound as the short stories but is fun and engaging. It takes place in 1938 and involves Olivia de Havilland before her Gone with the Wind role. It is an entertaining glimpse into movie studio happenings and movie stars' concerns. Again, the one-on-one encounters between the characters lead to many "table for two" interactions that show human beings in situations where they make decisions that affect others as much as themselves.
  • J. MIlligan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful author
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025
    I like all his books. Each is different from the others, but they are all original in tone and story line. This is just as entertaining.
  • Ruthie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024
    This author is wonderful. His imagination is amazing. The stories and novelette in this book are gems, every one.
  • Stephanie Baum
    3.0 out of 5 stars not sure I liked this book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
    The visual images were clear. I could see what was going on. But there were too many storylines and characters to keep track of.
  • Moni
    5.0 out of 5 stars GET ON THIS TRAIN… AND ENJOY THE RIDE
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    It is not often that you run across short stories by notable authors. This was a most enjoyable reading experience, written in true Towles style.
    There have been some negativity regarding the novella attached at the end, described by some as an afterthought, separated from the short story texts. Their thinking being it did not add the connective tissue they desired for a suitable finality. Seriously? we are talking Towles here. An ending without a question mark?, definitely not happening here.
  • California Girl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
    As a fan of Amor Towels I was hesitant to purchase this book because it was short stories however I was pleasantly surprised. He did not disappoint. The first half of the book was a series of short stories which were very well written and engaging. I enjoyed them all. The second half is actually one story but presented in separate chapters which followed separate characters but contributing to the same basic story. All of them give the reader food for thought on moral issues and interesting characters. I really enjoyed the book and certainly recommend it.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you love good writing
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
    Absolutely brilliant. I loved A Gentleman in Moscow but this collection of short stories is even better. What a pleasure!

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