Title: The Lincoln Highway
Author: Amor Towles
Publisher: Viking
Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age
Year of Publication: 2021
Date of Publication: October 5, 2021
Pages: 592
ISBN-13: 9780735222359
Summary
The Lincoln Highway is a heartfelt, adventurous novel that follows the journey of Emmett Watson, an 18-year-old recently released from a juvenile work farm in 1954.
Planning to leave Nebraska with his younger brother Billy for a fresh start in California, Emmett finds his plans upended when two former bunkmates, Duchess and Woolly, reappear with a scheme that takes them all on an unexpected journey eastward along the Lincoln Highway.
Spanning just ten days, the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, leading to a series of chance encounters and life-changing revelations.
Through this road trip, Amor Towles crafts a moving tale of friendship, redemption, and the pursuit of dreams.
Main Plot & Characters
Emmett Watson, a young man recently released from a juvenile work farm, is determined to leave his past behind and start anew.
His younger brother, Billy, joins him with an unwavering belief in adventure and destiny.
Alongside them are Duchess, a resourceful and troubled friend, and Woolly, a sensitive soul yearning for peace.
Together, they embark on an unintended journey along the Lincoln Highway, with each character bringing unique hopes, regrets, and motivations that shape their fates.
Key Themes of The Lincoln Highway
Key themes include redemption, the complexity of friendship, and the search for identity and purpose.
Towles explores how each character’s past influences their actions, revealing how the journey itself can lead to personal growth.
The novel also delves into themes of loyalty, family bonds, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of a better life, underscoring the resilience required to confront life’s challenges.
Writing Style
Amor Towles’s writing is detailed and pays keen attention to period details that bring 1950s America to life.
Towles’s use of multiple perspectives allows readers experience the journey from various angles.
Impact of The Lincoln Highway
This novel explores friendship, ambition, and the American road trip as a metaphor for self-discovery.
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