There is something lovely about a historically set novel that gets a lot of hype. It kind of gives me hope that not everyone is into drinking raw water. If you eat a Tide Pod with a raw water chaser do they cancel each other out? They are creating a mini-series based on Rules of Civility which would be a costumers and art directors dream project as it is set in in 1930's NYC.Admittedly, some of the prose in this book is a bit overdone. There is one line that makes everyone cringe. I would bet he wishes he could take corrective tape and hit all of the books. Despite that sentence I enjoyed this book with a strong protagonist and somewhat modern woman. Not all people like to read about lonely middle aged women thinking about having affairs while silently weeping on a windswept beach.
While it's not perfect this would make an excellent book club pick as it's got a classy but almost gossipy thing, with lots of drinks, some sex but not too much, horses, art, dinners, fancy parties, boats and typing skills...a little of everything.
There are so many martinis in this book. So very many. In fact there is a great part with a martini and way too many olives. While you certainly could drink a martini with too many olives--I would approve--why not try this fun (and olden times) variation? Turf Club: 1& 1/2 ounces gin (juniper heavy if you have it), 1& 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters. Put all of the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Classy.
