It is 1966 and a woman and her husband attend the opening  at MOMA of a photographic exhibit by Walker Evans. The exhibit is of portraits Evans took of ordinary New Yorkers on the subway using a hidden camera. Among the pictures are two portraits of the same man. The woman knew him as Tinker Grey and her husband knew of him as well, although they were not intimate friends.  The one portrait, taken in 1939 shows a dirty, raggedy, thin, yet smiling young man and the other taken just a year earlier in 1938 shows a serious and elegantly dressed man in expensive clothes. The husband murmurs, “Riches to rags,” on seeing the two portraits. “No, not exactly,” the woman responds.

Switching to New York in the 1930s we meet two roommates, Eve and Katie, trying to make their way in the big city. Working in a law office as secretaries, Eve and Katie are slowly making progress towards their dreams even as they enjoy the swirl of night life in New York.  Accidentally, one evening at a nightclub they meet Tinker Grey, and soon are caught up in the swirl of money and high society that is seemingly his milieu. Imperceptibly at first, their competing attractions to Tinker Grey and his lifestyle begins to change Eve and Katie’s relationship and quickly their choices lead them in very different directions. Yet the impact of Tinker Grey remains forever etched on their lives.

Insightful and sympathetic, Towles story allows us to sink deeply into what it means to be young, with seemingly endless choices ahead of you. His characters are fully realized especially Katie, whose role as narrator allows us a deeper look at her inner motivations. The other main character is 1930s New York City with its jazz and nightlife. Towles knows his subject well and he makes New York shine!  Yet it is the mystery of who and what Tinker Grey is and what became of him that is the thread that pulls us along and we come to understand and even celebrate that smile in spite of his outwardly ragged appearance.

Brenda’s Rating: ****( 4 stars out of 5)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Lauren, Sharon and Keith

Book study worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.