What happens when you set out to go west… but life has other plans?
Amor Towles' third novel, The Lincoln Highway, takes readers on an unforgettable cross-country journey that's both literal and metaphorical. Published in 2021, this carefully crafted story proves once again why Towles has become one of America's most beloved contemporary novelists.
The Story That Captures America
Set in 1954, the novel follows 18-year-old Emmett Watson as he returns to his Nebraska farmhouse after serving time at a juvenile work farm. His plan is simple: collect his eight-year-old brother Billy and start fresh in California. But when two fellow inmates from the work farm appear unexpectedly, Emmett's carefully laid plans take an dramatic detour.
What follows is a 10-day odyssey that stretches from Nebraska to New York City, involving a cast of unforgettable characters including the charismatic and unpredictable Duchess, the gentle giant Woolly, and young Billy with his unwavering faith in The Lincoln Highway: A Hero's Journey guidebook.
Why This Novel Resonates
Towles has crafted something special here—a story that operates on multiple levels. On the surface, it's a rollicking adventure tale full of unexpected twists and colorful characters. Dig deeper, and you'll find a profound meditation on destiny versus choice, the weight of the past, and the endless possibility of reinvention that has always been central to the American dream.
The novel's structure is particularly clever, with each chapter told from a different character's perspective, creating a kaleidoscope effect that reveals new facets of truth with each turn. Towles' prose is both elegant and accessible, carrying echoes of classic American road novels while feeling entirely contemporary.
The Lincoln Highway as Symbol
The highway itself—America's first transcontinental road—serves as more than just a setting. It represents the promise of movement, progress, and escape that has long captivated the American imagination. Yet Towles is too sophisticated a writer to present this uncritically. His characters discover that you can't simply drive away from your problems, and that the journey often matters more than the destination.
Quotes That Hit Home:
- “The funny thing about a picture—you look at it, and in an instant, you know what it’s about. But what if the picture is about something you don’t see?”
- “What you want is not always what you get. But sometimes, what you get is what you need.”
- “We never knew we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.”
Why You Should Read It:
- It's a road trip novel with heart, humor, and soul
- Full of unforgettable characters you’ll wish were real
- It reminds you how the best journeys are the ones you never expected
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
Since its publication, The Lincoln Highway has garnered widespread critical acclaim and has become a fixture on bestseller lists. Critics have praised Towles' ability to balance humor with heartbreak, adventure with introspection. The novel has found particular resonance with readers seeking stories that capture both the complexities of family relationships and the broader sweep of American life.
Book clubs have embraced the novel for its rich discussion possibilities, from its exploration of moral ambiguity to its vivid portrayal of 1950s America. The multiple narrative perspectives provide endless opportunities for readers to debate character motivations and moral choices.
Looking Forward
The Lincoln Highway stands as a worthy successor to Towles' previous acclaimed novels, Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. It showcases his continued evolution as a storyteller while maintaining the wit, wisdom, and attention to detail that have made him a literary favorite.
For readers seeking a novel that combines page-turning plot with literary depth, The Lincoln Highway delivers on both counts. It's a book that reminds us why the road novel remains such an enduring American form—because sometimes you have to leave home to truly understand it.
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