As for the ending there are many layers to the final part of the book. He is amazingly clever and resilient. This is how I perceive the author's intent for all his characters. ***NOW AVAILABLE, ONE OF MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF THE YEAR***. Interesting at first then the characters and story start to wander all over the place - and I don't just mean as they develop their journey. Fast dispatch and delivery. Each of these young men is chasing his dreams, but their pastswhether violent or sadare never far behind. Emmett has big reasons to leave the state, and a plan. Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Hutchinson; 1st edition (January 1, 2021). I have found that this narrative form can detract from a storys impact, but that is not the case here. Duchess is 100% self-centered. I don't understand why when Emmett understood that Woolly did indeed want to leave them the money that he couldn't have given Duchess his share and said - good luck. I've just finished reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. I was sad that the book ended.definitely rereading it!! (4.5 stars rounded up) so 5 stars overall for a book that is incredibly touching in its sentiment and heart breaking in some of its story. It grabbed me, and over and over again, I found myself gripping my chest. Much worse than death of Woolly - which was so sad and a tragedy but not shocking. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles review - an all-American road trip Two teenagers pursue a stolen car in this folksy 50s-set novel from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow Carrie O'Grady Wed. And best of all, everyone will love itmen, women, young, old. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. In 1954 much of that travel would have been on two lane roads until reaching Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Welcome to the discussion about The Lincoln Highway! Amor Towles spins a beguiling and rollicking historical adventure set in the 1950s, brilliantly imaginative, and with an unforgettable cast of characters, ostensibly about a Lincoln Highway road trip to California that keeps gets derailed. 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. It took a long time for me to make it to the Lincoln Highway and what a long winding road / read it was, but what an adventure and what a touching exploration of human nature with this intricate character study from the master storyteller that is Amor Towles. But lets talk over several key events. Amor Towles hat in Yale und Stanford studiert. By clicking "Continue" you agree to the Gates Notes. Thank you for being part of the Gates Notes Insider community. Doris Kearns Goodwins brilliant biography of Abraham Lincoln is more relevant than ever. It turns out Woolly did leave each of the friends his money. 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. Towles is a supreme storyteller, and this one-of-a-kind kind of novel isn't to be missed. . will delight in this travelogue's touchstones." Star-Tribune "History [and] adventure collide in The Lincoln Highway . I truly loved this book and felt affection for each character. . He knows that Duchess cant swim and he did just enough to provide some safety but it was up to Duchess to ensure that he could get back to shore. Choo choo choo! Just about to start another Amor Towels. I think she represents a type of kindness thats been almost non-existent for Billy or Emmett. I found it to be a really wonderful book; light-hearted most of the way through with some really impactful character moments. . Sorry, we were unable to unsubscribe you at this time. Extraordinary! The touches of homespun wisdom, typical of Towles, seemed quirkily sage in the Tolstoy-inspired A Gentleman in Moscow. 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. You Have Arrived at Your Destination (Forward collection), The Lincoln Highway in California: Across the Golden State from Nevada to San Francisco, Highways, The Lincoln Highway across Indiana (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)). However, best laid plans and all that, when everything is thrown up in the air by the unexpected arrival of Duchess and Woolly from Salina. How else would he know where to drive to in New York City? Towles is like no other author I know. Billy is earnest and erudite beyond his years, but with a very literal approach to life. In the same pan, fry the bacon with the bay leaf until the bacon is brown but not crisp. By the end, I didnt care what happened to any of them. I was disappointed they never had an interaction and that really didnt go anywhere. Published: March 16, 2022 The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles is a big work of fiction about the complicated journey of adulthood. Their journey will be far from smooth, with a succession of mishaps and pitfalls, but also some extraordinary encounters, and some delightful characters. John Tamny is editor of . . We dont know if she and Emmett fall in love; Towles doesnt give his story such a tidy narrative. He takes inspiration from famous heros journeys, including, . His father has died, his bank loans against it are called in and the farm is to be sold. Much to admire and enjoy. It took a long time for me to make it to the Lincoln Highway and what a long winding road / read it was, but what an adventure and what a touching exploration of human nature with this intricate character study from the master storyteller that is Amor Towles. With this ominous cue you may sense some very unpopular review is on its way! 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Nathan Levinson Towles describes it as a countdown to the climax. T he Lincoln Highway is a 2021 novel about a young man named Emmett Watson who travels from Nebraska to New York City in 1954. Two you will want to take under your wing and adopt; one will leave you uneasy; and one just might have in him the stuff of heroism. Get help and learn more about the design. Why do I love this so much and the answer is the same? Towles is an incredible storyteller. There was a problem loading your book clubs. A master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America. Brilliant storytelling! . Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2021. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. There is something wrong with the plot when I only decided I loved this book halfway in and then the ending felt a bit incomplete and lacked the closure I wanted for the four boys. How should I describe it? . (I could keep going, but you get the point.) I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. The story is far fetched and almost ludicrous, but the characters who are portrayed come alive and I did not wish the book to end. The new book's title, referring to . His first novel, Rules of Civility, published in 2011, was a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback and was ranked by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best books of 2011. And its a road trip!! The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (Viking) was named the Best Book of the Year by Amazon Books editors. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. I am a fan of this author. Founded in 1912, the Lincoln Highway Association was part of the early "Good Roads" movement to improve automobile roads in the United States. I felt similar when reading the first Cat in the Hat book when Thing I and Thing II had demolished the house. 18-year-old Emmett Watson is the protagonist of LINCOLN HIGHWAY, the first transcontinental highway. There was a problem loading your book clubs. But Duchess made a mess of everything. 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. VERY disappointing. . I havent completely finished it yet but I couldnt wait to share my thoughts! Publisher: Cornerstone ISBN: 9781529157642 Number of pages: 592 Weight: 405 g Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 35 mm MEDIA REVIEWS Ships from the UK. The author keeps the story moving smoothly forward, despite the various tangents on which the action frequently departs. Agree, disagree and/or have other ideas completely? Undoubtedly well written but I felt it generally dragged and failed to engage me. Amor Towles is one of the best authors of today, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021. 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. But he never does come into contact with his fatheralthough it seems like he does try. . The reader will ponder this odyssey long after they finish reading. Set in June 1954 it follows brothers Emmett and Billy Watson who plan to leave their home in Nebraska, and travel along the Lincoln Highway, Americas first transcontinental highway, to San Francisco, where they hope to start a new life. Pastor John represents the ever-present danger of placing your trust in the wrong authority, a matter Towles touches on more generally by including an atomic bomb drill that prefigured the anxiety and mistrust of the cold war. I havent completely finished it yet but I couldnt wait to share my thoughts! But if we make the wrong choices . It is hard for me to rate this book because I loved the first third and was extremely disappointed by the rest. Emmett hopes to load his little brother into his Studebaker and find a new life for them in Texas, but when two rambunctious former inmates show up, they throw a wrench in Emmett's . Interesting at first then the characters and story start to wander all over the place - and I don't just mean as they develop their journey. The Lincoln Highway is the first transcontinental highway in the United States and one of the first highways designed expressly for automobiles. Towles' newest novel, The Lincoln Highway, an enthralling road novel set in the early years of the Eisenhower era that sired the modern Interstate Highway System, takes its name from America's first transcontinental roadway, built in 1913 and superseded by I-80 in 1956. This is their chance to leave behind Nebraska and its bad memories and try out California. 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. A Literary Work of Genius--Extraordinary Plot and Unforgettable Cast of Characters, Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023. I dont feel he was misunderstoodI believe his actions were loud and clear. Towles is not a one-trick pony. I am a fan of this author. Towles takes inspiration from famous heros journeys, including The Iliad, The Odyssey, Hamlet, Huckleberry Finn, and Of Mice and Men. Thanks for visiting the Gates Notes. This section attempts to have the ending explained of The Lincoln Highway. So dont read this unless youve finished the book. By the end of Billy and Emmetts journey east, its clear that Billy is anything but a tragic figure. The Lincoln Highway Overview. Each of the main characters are at a crossroads of sorts and in a way, the Lincoln Highway serves as a getaway from their current, somewhat bleak situation. But his autobiography still surprised me. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've just finished The Lincoln Highway and found myself shedding a tear although I couldn't say why! The plot is set in 1950s America. So it was a no-brainer to pick up his next novel, The Lincoln Highway, when it came out last October. How should I describe it? However, once Duchess is awake and the money begins to blow away, Duchess shifts the boat to try and get itcausing it to sink and since Duchess cant swim, he drowns. Eventually, Emmett knocks out Duchess. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Jimmy was a thorn in Emmett's side who had provoked him into striking him. The two novels have collectively sold more than four million copies and have been translated into more than thirty languages. . Thats the sound of my disappointment train which suddenly left the town. Both novels have been translated into over fifteen languages. I cant tell you how excited I was that Amor Towles came out with a new book! Immediately upon his return Emmett also learns that the bank is about to foreclose the various loans that his father had taken, and on which massive arrears have accrued. A Story of Family, Love, Hope and Adventure, Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2021. It took a long time for me to make it to the Lincoln Highway and what a long winding road / read it was, but what an adventure and what a touching exploration of human nature with this intricate character study from the master storyteller that is Amor Towles. So again, while I dont think Emmett set out to murder Duchess, I also believe he didnt care what happened to himhe just didnt want to deal with his toxic behavior any longer. Writing style 5 stars There is an understated elegance to the writing, brilliant in its simplicity and tragic with its constant referencing back to Greek mythology. : ${cardName} not available for the seller you chose. 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. I know I am in the minority, but perhaps because I am not a fan of quest books, this one didnt live up to the hype for me. 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. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. What do I say about this book? The story follows four boys who set out to travel the country in search of a fresh start: Emmett and Billy want to find their mother who left them when they were young, and Duchess and Woolly are on the hunt for a stashed wad of cash. Please continue to the log in page. Book Club Questions for The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, Review: The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. One of my new favorite storytellers is the writer Amor Towles. . I am a fan of this author. Set in June 1954 it follows brothers Emmett and Billy Watson who plan to leave their home in Nebraska, and travel along the Lincoln Highway, Americas first transcontinental highway, to San Francisco, where they hope to start a new life. More of less, its what theyd be doing whether they lived in Atlanta, Georgia, or Nome, Alaska. is reason to rejoice for Towless millions of fans, who made his first two novels, might just be one of the best novels of this decade, which is a feat considering. . Er lebt mit seiner Frau und seinen beiden Kindern in Manhattan. Reprinted by permission. Th final element of the conclusion has an element of theft from the ending of "The Italian Job" but I think that can be forgiven. Readers [] will delight in this travelogue's touchstones., . I was hooked on this tale of adventure featuring two brothers, Emmett, just out of a prison/work camp, and Billy, his younger brother. Towles is not a one-trick pony. 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 Audiobook.read by Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland, Dion Graham, It is important to read this if you have triggers >>. Utterly enchanting, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2021. Like his other books, The Lincoln Highway contains strokes of elegance, a mesmerizing storyline, and a deep understanding of the human condition. VERY disappointing. A profound book about tennis and much more. Still catching up on books I finished this spring. This is my personal blog, where I share about the people I meet, the books I'm reading, and what I'm learning. The writing style is simplistic enough but full of detail and lets you understand each character in such a meaningful way. He seems to be saying that our personal journeys are never as linear or predictable as an interstate highway. Pleasingly, the boys cross paths with a varied cast of characters: clowns, hobos, out-of-work actors, panhandlers, home-makers, hucksters and just plumb ordinary folk. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023. 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. Perfect fitting for the history and the joy of learning. It was a disappointment. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. Much to admire and enjoy. Once again, I was wowed by Towless writingespecially because The Lincoln Highway is so different from A Gentleman in Moscow in terms of setting, plot, and themes. Its June 12th 1954 and Warden Williams is taking eighteen year old Emmett Watson home from Salina, a juvenile reform program after which Emmetts debt to society is paid in full. Once again, I was wowed by Towles's writingespecially because The Lincoln Highway is so different from A Gentleman in Moscow in terms of setting, plot, and themes . A Literary Work of Genius--Extraordinary Plot and Unforgettable Cast of Characters, Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023. One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now). This is why his interactions with his sister seemed to have a farewell component to it. The Lincoln Highway is elegantly constructed and compulsively readable . Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. Very disappointed by death of Duchess. Despite an almost total lack of sex, violence and foul language the book moves along at a compelling pace. We'd like your feedback. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. It is the story of four young men who travel from Nebraska to New York City on the Lincoln Highway. Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company, By completing your purchase, you agree to Audibles. Please try again. , Screen Reader My favorite character is Billy, an eight-year-old who has endured abandonment by his mother and the death of his father. I loved the latest from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow. Towles lives in Manhattan withhis wife and two children. I did not appreciate the fate of Wooley. Advance praise for The Lincoln Highway : "Towles' third novel is even more entertaining than his much-acclaimed A Gentleman in Moscow . Amor Towles hat in Yale und Stanford studiert. A coming of age story that is not about adolescent outbursts but a story of 4 males trying to make life decisions in a world that they have not learned to live in yet. But Emmett is concerned that Duchess will try and find them. 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