I am looking for suggestions on fiction books that depict, or non-fiction books that describe and seek to understand, elegance and manners, particularly in 19th and early 20th century culture. Elegance used to be a part of everyday life: in social decorum that shaped conversation, in fashion, in architecture, in everything. Any suggestions would be much appreciated here.
by cameforthereading
5 Comments
Look for the original Emily Post Etiquette book
Any Jane Austen book will have it covered
Little Women probably does as well
Edith Wharton, Henry James
For fiction, A Gentleman in Moscow
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Seconding A Gentleman in Moscow and anything by Henry James and Edith Wharton.