Helpful Score: 2
It is 1954 and 18 year-old Emmett Watson's warden is driving him home to Nebraska after serving 15 months for involuntary manslaughter. His mother has been dead and his father recently died and the family farm is in foreclosure. Emmett decides to head to California with his 8 year-old brother Billy. He soon discovers that two friends from the work farm have hidden in the trunk of the warden's car. Together, they hatch a different plan for Emmett and his brother. This plan will take them in the opposite direction to New York City. This slow-paced story of their adventure is told in multiple POV's and is very entertaining. By the end, you are enjoying yourself so much that you wish you could follow them on other trip. There are multiple themes; hope, redemption, family, friendship, loyalty and morality. I can't wait for the next book by Towles as he is a master storyteller. If you liked his other books, then I'm sure you will like this one too!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved Gentleman in Moscow, so wanted to try this. I know this is going to sound weird. I enjoyed it very much but the writing had a 'Fannie Flagg' feel to it, which gave it a gentle, sometimes humorous, sometimes sad feel. I liked that. Just didn't expect it. Good vs Evil, how to forgive, understand others, not judge harshly, equating the east-west feel of the highway with the full scale spectrum of good vs. evil, the perspective of the young boy vs. the adults, the perspective of the nun Sister Agnes.
Helpful Score: 1
A fascinating study of the human spirit, this story just takes 10 days, but will remain with you for a lifetime. Four unforgettable characters, each one a unique, funny, disconnected person, in his own right,
Mr. Towles has written a startling tale of love, fear, and hope. All four young men have lived more than their mere mortal years.
Mr. Towles has written a startling tale of love, fear, and hope. All four young men have lived more than their mere mortal years.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. It's an adventure story taking place in the 1950's. The main characters are 3 young men who had been incarcerated in a youth facility in the Midwest and the young brother of one of the men. They are on a road trip of sorts, all for different reasons. It's such an adventure and you can't stop turning the pages.
Helpful Score: 1
Spanning just ten days, told in multiple points of view, this saga involves two brothers who are on their own and their quest to travel to California to start a new life. Wonderful characters that you cheer for, worry about and wish them all the best on their circuitous adventures.
While I'm glad the book wasn't a travelogue, I was hoping for some more description of the actual Lincoln Highway in the 1950s. I grew up in Pennsylvania and one of my favorite examples of roadside architecture is the Ship Hotel. It no longer exists but did during this era.
