A literary work of genius! Like all the best storytellers, he has range. Up until about the last 60 pages or so, the story is fairly straightforward coming-of-age tale with vivid imagery of the time period and lots of pondering about the past and whats next. At the beginning of the story, when Billys brother, Emmett, returns home after 15 months of juvenile detention, Billy comes across as a sweet but hapless dreamer who has survived by escaping into adventure stories. I felt like I was right there with them, every step of the adventure. The The Lincoln Highway Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. If youre new to Book Club Chat, I write spoiler-free reviews and spoiler-filled book club questions for each novel I read. Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022. It takes some time to become hooked by his stories, but the reward is refreshing writing that is unique. The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a . Your Gates Notes account has been deactivated. Gates Notes may send a welcome note or other exclusive Insider mail from time to time. On reflection now, I can see that Duchess is a charming psychopath (who can quote Shakespeare but cant read) and his end is kind of fitting. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles is a thought-provoking work of historical fiction, one which tends to take its time but rewards us with a compelling world populated by a vivid cast of colourful characters with memorable sequences of their own. Then I reflected on the closing chapters for a while and concluded that the ending was in fact perfect and did not need a contrived happy ending for everyone. I know the year is still young but I wont be surprised this masterful novel will be my fave 2022 read. Emmett, by contrast, grows to share in the societal code laid down not by police or presidents, but by good plain folk in the community, which Towles thoroughly approves of: The comfort of knowing ones sense of right and wrong was shared by another, and thus was somehow more true.. Despite an almost total lack of sex, violence and foul language the book moves along at a compelling pace. The Lincoln Highway Summary Set over the course of a transformative ten days in the 1950's, this story follows Emmett, an eighteen-year-old boy who has just been released from a juvenile work farm from only to find his old life is gonehis father is dead, his family home has been foreclosed, and his mother abandoned the family years ago. A masterpiece! It was a disappointment. Of course he didn't want to continue a connection to Duchess but I'm not sure why (he seemed smart and to have sense) he couldn't have thought of a better way to leave him behind (safely). , Text-to-Speech : Towles takes inspiration from famous heros journeys, including The Iliad, The Odyssey, Hamlet, Huckleberry Finn, and Of Mice and Men. Or maybe it is more reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz where the characters are struggling to reach the wizard to get their needs/ wants met. . I adored Amor Towles's first two novels, and I savored every moment of this one. I found them to be a delight. I havent completely finished it yet but I couldnt wait to share my thoughts! You should recieve an email shortly with instructions on how to reset your password. Though dark shadows fall across its final chapters, the book is permeated with light, wit, youth . The reason I make a shift like this is because it forces me to retool almost every element of my craft. Please try again. . It scared me. Once signed in just go to your Account Settings page and set your subscription options as desired. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. But yes, I also laughed. It begins with him returning from a juvenile home, after spending time there because he . a month after 30 days. The plot is set in 1950s America. We have several characters on a journey to either find someone or search for the ultimate prize that would make their lives From a book that captivated me from the beginning with exceptional writing and characterizations I really would have liked a different ending. The bestselling author of A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW and RULES OF CIVILITY and master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America. It is hard for me to rate this book because I loved the first third and was extremely disappointed by the rest. A wonderful novel - part road-trip, part coming-of-age story. The new book's title, referring to . There is nothing sensational about the plot, the language, or its characters, but there is something sensational about the way the stories are perfectly nuanced, the characters are intimately observed, and the story is beautifully written. . . I did not understand the role of Sally. 18 year old Emmet Watson is a surprisingly composed and mature young man, who arrives back home to Morgen, Nebraska, after serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter at a juvenile work farm in Salina. Whenever I choose a novel and put it in my canvas book bag, I optimize for great storytellingalmost regardless of the topic. : I havent completely finished it yet but I couldnt wait to share my thoughts! I think its left vague on purpose. It would have avoided the constant eye roll from me, because sometimes he felt a precocious little twirp, but still adorable when his innocence shone through. I was sad that the book ended.definitely rereading it!! It meandered through irrelevant and illogical anecdotes. With this ominous cue you may sense some very unpopular review is on its way! A TODAY Show Read with Jenna Book Club Pick, A New York Times Notable Book, and Chosen by Oprah Daily, Time, NPR, The Washington Post and Barack Obamaas a Best Book of the Year, The bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility and master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America. A remarkable work of storytelling that is a 2021 favorite. Publisher: Cornerstone ISBN: 9781529157642 Number of pages: 592 Weight: 405 g Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 35 mm MEDIA REVIEWS He decides to leave Nebraska and drive to California with his younger brother Billy for a fresh start. The last one she sent was from San Francisco, and he expects to find her at the 4th of July celebration which she loved. , Publisher Dust jacket has a 'signed' label on the front, creased edges and is now in a protective sleeve, signed by the author without dedication. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Review and Comments Characterisation was superb and the dynamics between the group and between individuals within the group make this such a unique and extraordinary story. How I take this is after Emmett murdered that bully, he really worked to contain his anger but Duchess behavior left him no choice. Editorial director Sarah Gelman said the novel was "the perfect book for the times . The time was June of 1954, the place was a bankrupt farm in rural Nebraska, and the two central characters in this work of fiction were the Watson brothers, Emmett who was eighteen and his little brother Billy, who was eight. However, with the desire for retribution, a past haunting them and an opportunity to make money fast, you are totally caught up in their dilemma between doing what is right and wrong. There's so much to enjoy in this generous novel packed with fantastic characters [] and filled with digressions, magic tricks, sorry sagas, retributions, and the messy business of balancing accounts., returns with an American picaresque destined to become a classic . Just about to start another Amor Towels. permeated with light, wit, youth. , Jenna Bush Hager, Read with Jenna book club, and master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America, in terms of setting, plot, and themes. The story is a time capture odyssey of one week, with a smooth transition from one chapter to the next as the four main characters narrate in the first person providing the history to their story as they learn to live in the present, deal with the past and look forward to their future. I savored this book: every page. A master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America. This guy is a very talented author and since I loved A Gentleman from Moscow, I was looking forward to this one. Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022. Living in the big city, rushing around amid all that hammering and clamoring, the events of life can begin to seem random. Amor Towles is the author of New York Times bestsellers RULES OF CIVILITY and A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW. ***NOW AVAILABLE, ONE OF MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF THE YEAR***. Lisa Countdowns were also referred to . All in all, this is a great story peopled by marvellous characters, and I had enjoyed reading it so much that I felt sad when I finished it. While Duchess probably thought of himself as a hero, he was the villain, in the end. The present novel is the story of two brothers who plan to set off from their failed family farm in Nebraska and start a new life in California. But Emmett finds ways to overcome his temper. . . His mother long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank . The Lincoln Highway: A Novel Paperback - March 21, 2023 by Amor Towles (Author) 73,212 ratings Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction See all formats and editions Kindle $14.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $15.09 187 Used from $6.61 69 New from $10.00 19 Collectible from $17.40 Paperback Oh, what a book. this multiperspective story offers an abundance of surprising detours and run-ins., , a big book of camaraderie and adventure in which the miles fly by and the pages turn fast. ${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}. His intentions are to take his younger brother, William "Billy" Watson, to another state and make a fresh start. This is why his interactions with his sister seemed to have a farewell component to it. He has a strong moral code, and is determined never again to place himself under a debt or obligation to anyone else. The road is perilous, their mission is thwart with obstacles and the outcome reflected the tragedy and justice you often get from Greek Mythology which the book often references. I can't wait for his next book. The two boys are alone, but have each other. Were sorry to see you go. The Lincoln Highway A Novel by Amor Towles Critics' Opinion: Readers' Opinion: First Published: Oct 2021, 592 pages Paperback: Mar 21, 2023, 592 pages Genres Rate this book Write a Review Book Reviewed by: Rebecca Foster Buy This Book About this Book Summary Excerpt Reading Guide Reading Guide Questions . Gates Notes will never share and distribute your information with external parties. One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now). We'd like your feedback. . And so lets talk about the big twistEmmett leaving Duchess in the boat. While Billy hopes they can find their mother in San Fransisco (even though she abandoned the family), Emmett believes they can get a fresh start with fixing and then selling houses (the original house flippers). We apparently see a flash before Duchess dies that shows the brothers in California, Woolly alive, Sally with a child and Sister Sarah. Brilliant storytelling! I do love everything stopping still like in Marcellines stage act - thats usual Amor Towles elegance. is filled with nostalgia as well as the gentle navet and hijinks of those who are young, optimistic, and on a mission. It takes some time to become hooked by his stories, but the reward is refreshing writing that is unique. Despite an almost total lack of sex, violence and foul language the book moves along at a compelling pace. I finished it last night on audio no wonder it was nominated for an Audie award - at midnight and had to wait until this morning to talk about the ending with my husband who was reading the print version (he finished it at 5:30 this morning having to also wait until I awoke at seven to talk about it).