Sunday, January 30, 2022

Book Review - The Lincoln Highway; Amor Towles

                                                      The Lincoln Highway; Amor Towles 

                                           (Combo read/listen) - Viking - 2021 & Penguin Audio

I spent the better part of last week reading and listening to The Lincoln Highway. This is my third book by Amor Towles and IMO, another winner.  I loved the characters, even most of the minor ones were a joy to hear from.

Set in 1954 the story takes place over the course of ten days.  The story begins with 18 year old Emmett Watson being released early from a one year sentence to a work farm in Kansas for an involuntary manslaughter charge.  It was an unfortunate incident that landed Emmett this sentence. Now back in Nebraska, his father has died so it's just Emmett and his eight year old brother Billy. The boy's mother had abandoned Emmett and Billy years earlier.   With their house foreclosed and a few thousand dollars set aside Emmett and Billy plan to start fresh and head along the Lincoln Highway in Emmett's prized Studebaker. Billy has dreams of finding their mother who always looked forward to 4th of July fireworks in Lincoln Park in CA.

Things don't go exactly as they planned when two of Emmett's work farm inmate buddies: Dutchess and Wooly escape and show up to derail those plans.  I thought the road trip alone was time well spent.

All of the major characters here are looking for new start: Emmett and Billy hope to build a new life together, Dutchess would like to have his own restaurant and Wooly would just like to find peace and happiness.  There are several minor characters who left an impression as well (both good and bad) : Sally, a spunky next door neighbor, Ulysses a WWII veteran, the unsavory Pastor John and Professor Abernathe.  The story is told in multiple POVs which really helped to shed light on the past of each character.  I was especially fond of Emmett and Billy.  I admired Emmetts fierce concern and devotion to his smart, intense eight year old brother Billy; Billy won my heart as well. I found the ending both heartbreaking yet hopeful.  Highly recommended.

The audio book production was excellent with a full cast:  Edoardo Ballerini, Dion Graham and Marin Ireland. Although in general I like Marin Ireland as a narrator, I found her slightly annoying in the role of Sally.  This was a combo read/listen - about a 50/50 split.

Here are a few quotes I noted:.

Quotes -

 "Wouldn't it been wonderful if everybody's life was a piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Then no one person's life would be an inconvenience to anyone else's.  It would just fit snugly in its very own, specially designed spot, and then in so doing, would enable the whole intricate picture to become complete."

"Because young children do not know how things are supposed to be done, they will come to imagine the habits of their household are the habits of the world.  If a child grows up in a family where angry words are exchanged over supper he will assume that angry words are exchanged at every kitchen table; while if a child grows up in a family where no words are exchanged over supper at all, he will assume that all families eat in silence....."

Rating 4.5/5 stars

Note: I purchased the print edition of this book and the audio version was provided to me at no cost by the publisher.

28 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, too. The audio version was excellent! Great quotes, too.

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    1. So happy it worked for both of us. The next chunksters on my list are: To Paradise, Yanagihara and Cloud Cuckoo Land; Doerr.

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  2. I'm so looking forward to reading this one! Maybe I'll start reading it next month and listen to the audio for a refresher before my book club meeting in September.

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    1. I hope you will love it Les. The audio is excellent too. It would make a great discussion book as well IMO.

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  3. Both Emmett and Billy were terrific characters. I especially loved Billy. The plot kept things moving, sometimes in surprising directions. It was definitely a winner on every level. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. Thanks Dorothy, I recall you not enjoying it as much as me but -- that happens.

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  4. That sounds like it is so well done and interesting!

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  5. I will have to give this one a try, Diane. You make it sound so good!

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    1. It really was a great book and characters to spend time with.

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  6. I feel intimidated by this book, but everyone seems to be really enjoying it. Maybe I'll read it for the Big Book Summer challenge

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    1. It's not a difficult read and such a good story to escape with.

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  7. :) I really enjoyed it! An adventure to remember.

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  8. I know quite a few bloggers who have read this. I'm still on the fence because my tbr list is so long.

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  9. My copy of this one is sitting across the desk from me as I type this...maybe this will be the encouragement I need to finally wade into it. It sounds like a nice change of pace from the reading I've done so far this year, kind of gotten myself into a rut.

    I love the idea of being able to get the audiobook free when purchasing a hardcopy of a book. That's similar to what the movie people do when you buy a movie. Often, for one price, you get a Blu-ray copy, a regular DVD copy, and a streaming copy that can be accessed from anywhere. It makes good business sense to me.

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    1. Hi Sam, I really thought this was time well spent. I love the way this author writes and the characters he creates. Just to clarify, I actually purchased the hardcover but, the publisher directly offered me the audio download -fantastic narrators too. Hope you will enjoy this one.

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  10. This is the one Towles novel I haven't read yet. But it sounds as interesting and good as his other books. :)

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  11. I saw this post but didn't read it yet... I just started reading this book last night! I will read your post once I finish the book.

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  12. My sister also really liked this novel ... so along with your positive review ... I will put it on my radar for 2022. I liked his novel Rules of Civility. Sounds like a good road trip story.

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    1. I hope you will try it. I usually avoid hefty novels over 500+ but had such good luck with Crossroads and now this that I'm now reading 700+pp - To Paradise. It's actually kind of nice to get into a story and know I can take my time and really spend time with the characters.

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    1. It was a nice treat - loved the characters and the road trip.

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  14. The page count scares me off but I need to pick up the audio and just dive in. It sounds great!

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    1. The audio was excellent. I usually avoid 500+ page books as well, but am actually starting to really enjoy them. You really feel like you get to know the characters and care about them.

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