One historical fiction book I am forever recommending to friends is A Gentleman in Moscow. The story of Count Alexander Rostov and his forced, extended stay in a luxury hotel is especially interesting considering what life what was like at the beginning of the pandemic. So I was pleased to see that Amor Towles was coming out with a new novel, The Lincoln Highway, this time set in 1950s America.
The Situation: Emmett Watson has just returned to his home in Nebraska after serving time in a juvenile work farm. Due to his father's death, Emmett is actually released early from his time for committing involuntary manslaughter. Since the bank has foreclosed on the farm, Emmett has decided that he and his younger brother Billy need to make a fresh start somewhere other than a small farming town. Having set his sights on Texas, Emmett begins making preparations for the long journey, only for his plans to be immediately disrupted. First, Billy insists the two brothers need to head to California, via the Lincoln Highway, in order to find their mother. And second, it seems two of Emmett's fellow inmates have arranged their own early release from the juvenile work farm, and they have a different kind of adventure in mind.
The Problem: Emmett is not exactly angry with Duchess and Woolly for showing up at his house, at least not until they "borrow" his car for their own adventure east. Now all four boys are headed to New York City: Duchess and Woolly are on a sort of treasure hunt as they attempt to locate the latter's inheritance. And Emmett simply wants his car back, while young Billy is along for the journey. On the way, the two brothers will encounter all sorts of obstacles, while also meeting various characters who are on their own adventure. And while Billy loves a good adventure, Emmett must stay focused on keeping them both safe, and getting his car back.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that takes place across ten days in June of 1954. While Emmett is the primary hero of the story, almost an equal amount of chapters are told from the point of view of Duchess, and he has a few scores to settle with people. Then there is Billy, who is obsessed with his Compendium of Heroes, Adventurers, and Other Intrepid Travelers, and has read it over 20 times. Throughout their journey, he cannot help but see the similarities between the heroes in the book, himself and his brother, and even some of the people he meets, some of which get their own chapters. It is a ten-day tale with overlapping storylines from various characters, all leading up to day one, when it all comes together.
My Verdict: I was expecting a grand adventure, and I certainly got one. From the first page of the first section, which simply says "Ten," the countdown has begun, and the expectation is set that something big is going to happen when the reader reaches "One." Even though the book is 500+ pages, what follows is a non-stop adventure told from multiple points of view. There may be long hours on the open road involved, which in real life are always a breeding ground for intense boredom, but that is not the case throughout the course of this book. Each character sees the world and the situation in a different light, and they each have their own idea of what their adventure should be. It is wonderful to find an author who a reader can trust for 500 pages and know they will not be let down.
Favorite Moment: When Billy meets another adventurer while riding the rails with his brother, and it is someone that proves to be helpful, protective, and nice.
Favorite Character: Billy is a ten year-old boy, but he is a clever, observant, obedient (to a fault), and resourceful.
Recommended Reading: Naturally, I recommend A Gentleman in Moscow. It is a story I read four years ago, but I still think about more often than most of the books on my shelves.
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