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. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2021. To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Each of these young men is chasing his dreams, but their pastswhether violent or sadare never far behind. This is a 10-star book in a five-star world. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. 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. It takes some time to become hooked by his stories, but the reward is refreshing writing that is unique. I was enchanted by this novel, not least by the way it so comprehensively dodges any attempt to consign it to a particular genre. For more information see our. When they get up in the morning, theyre not looking to change the world. Magnificent . 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. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Two teenagers pursue a stolen car in this folksy 50s-set novel from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow. In June, 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served fifteen months for involuntary manslaughter. (I could picture the car clearlymy dad had one too.) 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. >! Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. 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 . I think its left vague on purpose. Enthralling and life affirming with some epic qualities to the storytelling and characterisation. By the end, I didnt care what happened to any of them. Stir and let simmer another ten minutes. Towles is like no other author I know. From there, we follow Emmett and Billys journey to regain the car and they meet an interesting cast of characters along the way. VERY disappointing. I freely admit that some readers found his earlier books to be trivial and frivolous. Cancel online anytime. And so lets talk about the big twistEmmett leaving Duchess in the boat. Bill may send you a welcome note or other exclusive Insider mail from time to time. He was so focused on getting into the safe that he forgot about Woolly. Duchess is a smart guy so I think he would have waited for the wind to push him back to the other side of the lake. a cross-country adventure packed with unexpected twists and unforgettable action., is a road novel that celebrates the mythos of an era via a cross-country highway . The Lincoln Highway, his third novel, was therefore highly anticipated. Please try again. Please try again. . But lately, Ive noticed some books deserve a third articleone dedicated to shocking endings. His innocence, his love of people, love of belonging. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Emmett also seems like a tragic character early on. You should recieve an email shortly with instructions on how to reset your password. By the end of Billy and Emmetts journey east, its clear that Billy is anything but a tragic figure. I couldn't imagine their being able to clean up the entire house before mother came home! This guy is a very talented author and since I loved A Gentleman from Moscow, I was looking forward to this one. Pour off most, but not all of the bacon fat. It came out on Oct. 5, 2021, published by Viking as a hardcover. So dont read this unless youve finished the book. "I guess you haven't had your adventure yet," 18-year-old Emmett Watson tells his 8-year-old brother, Billy, who responds, "I think we're on it now." has suspense, humor, philosophy, and a strong sense of time and place, moving quickly and surely toward a satisfying conclusion . The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a loud coffee shop., A remarkable blend of sweetness and doom, [, ] is packed with revelations about the American myth, the art of storytelling, and the unrelenting pull of history. 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. And Duchess sounds like a showman. The author keeps the story moving smoothly forward, despite the various tangents on which the action frequently departs. The appearance of two of Emmett's friends Woolly and Duchess, who stowed away in the trunk of the Warden's car, results in a change of plans. I have read many reviews that contradict my review but at the end of the day it is my personal opinion and nothing else. I felt like I was right there with them, every step of the adventure. But Emmett finds ways to overcome his temper. 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 . How should I describe it? Nominee for Best Historical Fiction (2021). Billy dreams of traveling the transcontinental Lincoln Highway as their mother had when she left them when they were younger. I feel like Ive just been tucked in: snug as a bug in a rug, by this masterful storyteller. Towles' previous book A Gentleman in Moscow published in 2016I loved that novel and thought it was such a warmhearted tale. Learn more. Still catching up on books I finished this spring. Towles writing style is recognisable and I cant wait to finish this book as well as hope theres more books in the making! Its been a long time since a book tugged at my emotions like this one did. Welcome to the discussion about The Lincoln Highway! Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2023. . My new novel, The Lincoln Highway, is about three 18-year-old boys and an 8-year-old boy on a journey from Nebraska to New York City in 1954 the whole story lasting just 10 days." Towles is . Oh, what a book. Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2023. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2022, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2021, Amor Towles is one of the best authors of today, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021. . He seems to be saying that our personal journeys are never as linear or predictable as an interstate highway. 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. This is a 10-star book in a five-star world. Using multiple points-of-view and shifting from comedy to tragedy and back again, Towles enthralls., E]xhilarating . . Their Plans are thwarted by the appearance of two friends who cause a major disruption which leads to multiple detours on the journey. In no sense is this book a thriller and yet tension does exist as the end approaches. Join the Gates Notes community to access exclusive content, comment on stories, participate in giveaways, and more. At times I wondered if this really was a myth or fantasy. 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. In order to unsubscribe you will need to sign-in to your Gates Notes Insider account. Amor Towles, author of RULES OF CIVILITY and A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, has decided to make his own contribution to that genre in his third novel, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY. We apparently see a flash before Duchess dies that shows the brothers in California, Woolly alive, Sally with a child and Sister Sarah. About the author (2021) Amor Towles is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. That is until they meet up with two of Emmetts fellow inmates and now escapees; the dangerous swindler that is Duchess Hewitt and Woolly Martin, a man addicted to prescription medicine. 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)). This is their chance to leave behind Nebraska and its bad memories and try out California. 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. They leave to escape angry townspeople who believe Emmett got off . Your Gates Notes account has been deactivated. Sally turns out to be a bold and wise charactershe bristles at the strictures placed on women in 1950s America and has what it takes to overcome them. Orders received by 3pm Sent from the UK that weekday. His new novel, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY, will be released on October 5, 2021. Er ist in der Finanzbranche ttig und gehrt dem Vorstand der Library of America und der Yale Art Gallery an. Five stars. I cant tell you how excited I was that Amor Towles came out with a new book! Their journey will be far from smooth, with a succession of mishaps and pitfalls, but also some extraordinary encounters, and some delightful characters. The two novels have collectively sold more than four million copies and have been translated into more than thirty languages. 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. That would have taken another day for sure. Woolly is from a privileged background, but has not found it easy to engage with life. Set over the course of ten riveting days, the story of these four boys unfolds, refolds, tears, and is taped back together. 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. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2022. One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now). I was sad that the book ended.definitely rereading it!! The Lincoln Highway By Amor Towles Review by Alice Cary The pages of Amor Towles' novel are destined to be turnedand occasionally tatteredby numerous gratified readers. Emmett and Duchess scuffle, and Emmett knocks Duchess out. He seems to be saying that our personal journeys are never as linear or predictable as an interstate highway. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. He died as a result of falling and . Towles is like no other author I know. I freely admit that some readers found his earlier books to be trivial and frivolous. In June 1954, 18-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served 15 months . The actors who lend their voices to the narrative are amazing. Advance praise for The Lincoln Highway : "Towles' third novel is even more entertaining than his much-acclaimed A Gentleman in Moscow . Much to admire and enjoy. With the 3 teenagers all aged 18, the perfect backdrop of people on a journey was created. With this ominous cue you may sense some very unpopular review is on its way! The reader will ponder this odyssey long after they finish reading. He has a strong moral code, and is determined never again to place himself under a debt or obligation to anyone else. 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. , X-Ray Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Additionally, some campaigns and content may only be available to users in certain areas. Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022. In 2019, I reviewed his book A Gentleman in Moscow, which was fantastic. . Im lucky to call Bono a friend. Oh, What a Book! One of my new favorite storytellers is the writer Amor Towles. All you needed was a Howard Johnsons map. Hes distraught but when he sees Duchess, all Duchess cares about his trying to get Woollys inheritance that is locked away. . The cowboy was thoroughly nasty and the violence to Ackerly was provoked - Ackerly treated those in his care callously. So the shift in tone during the climax to the ending was pretty shocking. Amor Towles hat in Yale und Stanford studiert. He returns from reform school to deal with the foreclosure of his fathers farm. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if everybody's life was like a piece of a jigsaw puzzleno one's life an inconvenience to another'sfitting snuggly into its own, specially designed spot.enabling the whole intricate picture to become complete." After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Newly released from a work farm in 1950s Kansas, where he served 18 months for involuntary manslaughter, 18-year-old Emmett Watson hits the road with his little brother, Billy, following the death of their father and the foreclosure of their Nebraska farm. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. . They want to have a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, put in their eight hours, and wrap up the day with a bottle of beer in front of the TV set. Undoubtedly well written but I felt it generally dragged and failed to engage me. It also made maneuvering across the country and navigating NYC seem extremely uncomplicated and easy for 1954. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. . So Emmett will not get pushed around any longer and is willing to do whatever it takes to get him and Billy to safety. I did not appreciate the fate of Wooley. Why do I love this so much and the answer is the same? There was not much substance to the plot and events and conversations were often repeated. My favorite character is Billy, an eight-year-old who has endured abandonment by his mother and the death of his father. This is my personal blog, where I share about the people I meet, the books I'm reading, and what I'm learning. To answer questions about The Lincoln Highway , please sign up . Click verification link sent to this email address or, If you would like to permanently delete your Gates Notes account and remove its content, please, The best memoir by a rock star I actually know, The best guide to getting out of your own way. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! : Sold by Penguin 4.4 star 88 reviews Ebook 592 Pages family_home Eligible info $14.99 Ebook Free sample Switch to the audiobook About this ebook. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. will delight in this travelogue's touchstones." Star-Tribune "History [and] adventure collide in The Lincoln Highway . (I could keep going, but you get the point.) 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. Please use a different way to share. 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. I havent completely finished it yet but I couldnt wait to share my thoughts! A remarkable work of storytelling that is a 2021 favorite. But Emmett is concerned that Duchess will try and find them. 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. 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. Hundreds of miles roll by over the course of The Lincoln Highway, a breezy Bildungsroman meets road trip that suits the Boston-born Towless expansive, folksy, anecdotal style down to the ground. Superior! Here is my 2022 Pulitzer list - please come and vote for your favorite. Their Plans are thwarted by the appearance of two friends who cause a major disruption which leads to multiple detours on the journey. . 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). We all need one of those. I've just finished reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. "The Lincoln Highway is a road novel that celebrates the mythos of an era via a cross-country highway . Enthralling and life affirming with some epic qualities to the storytelling and characterisation. I don't understand why Towles wrote the death of Duchess at the end the way he did. I was enchanted by this novel, not least by the way it so comprehensively dodges any attempt to consign it to a particular genre. Free delivery for many products. Duchess held grudges but recognized when he'd treated others badly (as when he found Townsend and got him to settle the score from the work camp). 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