Ask the Author: Amor Towles

“I'm happy to announce that my new novel, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY, will be out on October 5, 2021. It’s about four boys on their way from Nebraska to New York City in 1954.” Amor Towles

Answered Questions (165)

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Why did you decide to have the final scene on the lake for Duchess end the way it did? It felt like a bitter ending for one of the main characters.

Amor Towles Tom,
You can find my thoughts about the ending of THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY in the Q&A about the book at amortowles.com

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I loved "Eve in Hollywood" in "Table For Two," but I never read the original novella (and haven't been able to find it). I know that the new version is more than twice as long as the original, but other than that I haven't been able to find out what the differences are. Was the 2013 version essentially part 1 of its 2023 counterpart? The entire story yet much more abridged? Or were there more substantial changes made?

Amor Towles The 2013 version was essentially part 1 of the expended novella that appears in Table For Two

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Could you please tell me where to find a copy of Eve in Hollywood? I love your novels and this short story is a must have for me. I have checked everywhere and cannot find it! Please help! Thanks and can't wait to read your new book!

Amor Towles A vastly expanded version of EVE is in my new collection TABLE FOR TWO, which was released in early April.

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Dear Mr. Towles, In your letter to the reader in Tables For Two, you extend the hope that your readers enjoy the stories a much as you enjoyed the writing of them. I would love to know how you would describe that particular enjoyment. If asked to put it to words, how would you? Thank you for so many hours of reading delight, Katherine

Amor Towles that letter only appeared in advance reader copies for booksellers, etc.
I think your question is best answered by the readers!

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In writing "Eve In Hollywood", were you influenced by Ray Bradbury's novel "A Graveyard For Lunatics"?

Amor Towles No. While I read Bradbury's short stories as a youth, I have not read that book

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I read Rules of Civility when it first came out and it is one of my favorite novels. Now, years later, I am listening to it on Libby, and am reminded what an incredible world you have created, what complex characters. There is not one misstep in this book and I thank-you for it! I am curious where the initial idea for Katey came from, and how you developed her as you wrote the book? Jill

Amor Towles Thanks, Jill.
I'll refer you to the Q&A on the book at amortowles.com where I talk about the book's origins.

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Are you familiar with two of my favorite literary gentlemen, the characters Francis Crawford of Lymond in the novels of Dorothy Dunnett, and/or Lord Peter Wimsey in those of Dorothy Sayers? I saw hints of them both in Count Rostov. I couldn't put A Gentleman in Moscow down; it was wonderful.

Amor Towles I'm afraid I don't know the work of Dunnett; I did read and enjoy some of Sayers after writing AGIM. So neither was an influence.

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When describing your books to someone who hasn't read one, I tell them to think of a time when you have heard someone make a statement and said, "I don't think I ever heard that said better." Now imagine reading a book where every sentence is worded in just such a way. Is that natural for you, or do you have to work and re-work the phrasing? I'm trying to write in the same way, but it isn't easy.

Amor Towles Robert, I recommend you visit amortowles.com to read one of my Q&A;s; or watch one of my speeches where I speak about my process like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08tfk...

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I trust we will see more soon? Your writing enchants me.

Amor Towles My new book, TABLE FOR TWO, came out on Tuesday. I hope that's soon enough!

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Hello Amor. Big fan of your writing here ! Can you please direct us to where you discuss not using quotation marks? I'm very curious as well. The place you mentioned above apparently didn't provide the answer?

Amor Towles Bonnie, please visit amortowles.com for an answer. You can find it in the Q&A for both RULES and LINCOLN HIGHWAY.

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I want to use a partial line from your book The Lincoln Highway 'Woolly suffering from the worst type of affection.' Do I need written permission from you? I am writing a book on books and reviews I have read or written over the years. Thanks, mwc

Amor Towles Marty, Thanks for reaching out. But I'm afraid this is not a line from my book. Best, AT

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Amor Towles Gloria, thanks for the kind remarks. I encourage you to visit the Q&A at amortowles.com where your question is answered. Best, AT

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Amor Towles Susan, Thanks for kinds words. I'm so glad you enjoyed TLH. As to your take, I think you have misinterpreted the ending. You can find my thoughts about it at the bottom of the Q&A at amortowles.com.
Best, AT

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Mr. Towles, I enjoyed very much "A gentleman in Moscow". Is your Count Alexander Rostov inspired by Count Léon d'Algout, the wonderful character that seduces Ninotchka in the great Lubitch movie? As the film, your shares a funny and tragic description of the Comunist regime and its victims.

Amor Towles Thanks for the kind words. But no, Rostov has no connection to Ninotchka.

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Are the “Leave it to Beaver” parallels intentional? Emmett is Wally. Billy is Beaver. Duchess is Eddie Haskel. Wooley’s real name is Wallace.

Amor Towles I'm afraid Leave It to Beaver has nothing to do with THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY. (Other than being boys in the 1950s, the characters are hardly similar).

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Now that I have read and cherished your three most recent books, how do I get my hands on your older ones like "You have arrived....." and "Eve in Hollywood"? They seem to be impossible to find.

Amor Towles Nancy, visit the Signed Editions, and the Other Writing pages of amortowles.com
Best, AT

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Mr. Towles - We loved The Lincoln Highway but were shocked and disappointed to see you casually traffic in grossly antisemitic tropes. The statements (p.214) of Jews that "could hardly be trusted to give him a fair price" and needing to ensure that Billy "wasn't taken advantage of" by Jews (p.215) were entirely gratuitous and beneath a man of your intellect and sophistication. Why would you use such language?

Amor Towles Dear Andrew,
The language you quote is stated by a character who is transparently an ugly, immoral, and reprehensible figure. These are exactly the sorts of things that he would think and say. As a result, the book calls attention to the reprehensibleness of his antisemitsm.
It is the job of the writer to depict people in a manner that is consistent with their time, upbringing and personality. It is not the job of the writer to whitewash them or reality.

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