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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'd give this 4.75 stars if I could, only for the troubling ending, but certainly since I can't nitpick, the book deserves a 5. I loved this book right from the beginning--all the way up to the last page. I love the characters in this book. Even Duchess, who made me nutty early on grew on me to some degree as his quirky but consistent moral code arose. He clearly is not a "good guy," but you see where he and his behavior came from. Emmett and Woolly, and Sally and Ulysses and even Abacus Abernathe are beautifully developed and engaging characters. Billy Watson, however, is pure gold. He alone is worth 5 stars. I have read all of Towles' books and I am by now a big fan!
Spoiler
I can see that it makes sense for Duchess to die, and there were times when I even wanted him to, but I found it quite disturbing that he dies at Emmett's hands, albeit without intention and without Emmett's even knowing. Seems to me we're left with the strong possibility that cops will be looking for Emmett until they find him. Woolly's death was sad, but seems inevitable and it fits the rest of the story well.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Loved it! Loved it!
Beautifully written, packed with terrific characters, well paced and deftly plotted, this is my first taste of this author's writing and I'll be back for more. It follows the tale of two brothers who have just lost their unsuccessful farmer father leading to the early release of the older one (Emmett) from juvenile detention. The younger brother (Billy) is on the autistic spectrum, with all the great strengths and challenges that brings, and together they are trying to make their way from Nebraska to California along the Lincoln Highway to try to find their absconded Mother and to start a new life.
Unfortunately for them -but luckily for the reader- the arrival and intervention of two of Emmett's fellow inmates means they find themselves going in the wrong direction and having a series of 'adventures' on the way to and in New York. While it doesn't end happily ever after all round, there is plenty of hope see send off characters that I found myself really invested in and rooting for. Towles is a generous creator and handles some tricky stuff for his cast with sensitivity and care.
I love a bit of an 'odyssey' novel, and this one is a cracker.
Beautifully written, packed with terrific characters, well paced and deftly plotted, this is my first taste of this author's writing and I'll be back for more. It follows the tale of two brothers who have just lost their unsuccessful farmer father leading to the early release of the older one (Emmett) from juvenile detention. The younger brother (Billy) is on the autistic spectrum, with all the great strengths and challenges that brings, and together they are trying to make their way from Nebraska to California along the Lincoln Highway to try to find their absconded Mother and to start a new life.
Unfortunately for them -but luckily for the reader- the arrival and intervention of two of Emmett's fellow inmates means they find themselves going in the wrong direction and having a series of 'adventures' on the way to and in New York. While it doesn't end happily ever after all round, there is plenty of hope see send off characters that I found myself really invested in and rooting for. Towles is a generous creator and handles some tricky stuff for his cast with sensitivity and care.
I love a bit of an 'odyssey' novel, and this one is a cracker.
WHAT?! I enjoyed the book but need to discuss the ending.