Publisher's Synopsis
Perfect Behavior is a satirical novel written by Donald Ogden Stewart, first published in 1922. The book is set in New York City during the 1920s and follows the story of Amory Blaine, a young man who is desperate to fit in with high society. Amory is determined to learn the rules of perfect behavior and become accepted by the upper class. He moves in with his wealthy aunt and uncle and spends his days attending parties, going to the theater, and rubbing shoulders with the elite.However, as Amory becomes more immersed in this world, he begins to see the hypocrisy and superficiality of the people he is trying to impress. He starts to question whether he really wants to be a part of this society and whether it is worth sacrificing his own values and beliefs to fit in.The novel is a biting satire of the social mores of the time and the obsession with wealth and status. Stewart uses humor and irony to expose the flaws in the upper class and their values. The book is a commentary on the dangers of conformity and the importance of staying true to oneself.Overall, Perfect Behavior is a witty and entertaining novel that provides a fascinating insight into the society of the 1920s. It is a timeless classic that still resonates with readers today.The first thing to do on arriving at a symphony concert is to express the wish that the orchestra will play Beethoven's Fifth. If your companion then says ""Fifth what?"" you are safe with him for the rest of the evening; no metal can touch you. If, however, he says ""So do I""--this is a danger signal and he may require careful handling.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.