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mimela78's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is the story of three friends who have all spent time in a youth correctional facility. This story follows the boys as they each travel home and try to make amends for things in their past. Along the way one of the boys younger brother and neighbor join the gang as they travel from Nebraska to New York all while planning to take the Lincoln Highway to California.
brennanpeterson's review against another edition
2.0
* Spoilers ahead - so please skip if you have not read it *
I really like the 1st half of this book. I would have given it 4-5 stars.
There were times I was in awe at the authors writing style, his attention to detail, and his ability to deeply develop delve into his characters thoughts and motivations.
But I absolutely hated how it ended.
Dutchess was the most interesting and compelling character in the book. The way his story resolved was completely unsatisfying.
And Emmit had to be the most bland, milk-toast main character in a book in recent memory. He had so little to offer and was about as interesting as staring at a blank wall.
And the hyperarticulate 8-year old Billy - who was able to deduct every possible conclusion and to every vexing problem in the book . . . and seemingly the world . . . . - well, I just don't think he could exist.
There were some compelling sub-stories - Ulysses being the most interesting.
But all in all, the conclusion of this book was not worth the journey - certainly not one along a highway that spans the entire United States. Maybe more like one that connects a few counties and then returns home again.
I really like the 1st half of this book. I would have given it 4-5 stars.
There were times I was in awe at the authors writing style, his attention to detail, and his ability to deeply develop delve into his characters thoughts and motivations.
But I absolutely hated how it ended.
Dutchess was the most interesting and compelling character in the book. The way his story resolved was completely unsatisfying.
And Emmit had to be the most bland, milk-toast main character in a book in recent memory. He had so little to offer and was about as interesting as staring at a blank wall.
And the hyperarticulate 8-year old Billy - who was able to deduct every possible conclusion and to every vexing problem in the book . . . and seemingly the world . . . . - well, I just don't think he could exist.
There were some compelling sub-stories - Ulysses being the most interesting.
But all in all, the conclusion of this book was not worth the journey - certainly not one along a highway that spans the entire United States. Maybe more like one that connects a few counties and then returns home again.
jonathandavid5's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely wonderful, heartbreaking and beautiful adventure
iggy63's review against another edition
4.0
Didn't like it quite as much as A Gentleman In Moscow, but it still deserves high marks. A epic journey told from the vantage point of the main characters in alternating chapters, it is well written, highly readable and very entertaining. Towles is a great storyteller.
meghanleighb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
camarks1's review against another edition
2.0
Long and unlike Towles's earlier books, easy to put down. The prose is excellent in parts, but the story and main character are lacking. There are gimmicks, like the chapters being numbered in descending order, that are more desperate and distracting than helpful. The novel implies that it starts "in medias res" but in my opinion, that's where it ends. However, it would have been better, if not good, with the final section omitted. And at nearly 600 pages why not that, along with a few other deletions? There are several doubtful and outright anachronistic passages, like when reference is made to "In God We Trust" on paper money, which didn't happen until three years after the novel is set. Disappointing, and I certainly would not have finished it if I had not thoroughly enjoyed Towles's previous novels.
bennyreedsbookz's review against another edition
5.0
yeah this was the best book i've read hand down
rahassen's review against another edition
5.0
Such a lovely story. Of Mice and Men meets the Odyssey.
jeblank's review against another edition
5.0
I am so sad this book is over! I absolutely loved it :) I saw someone write a review complaining about all the “side stories” and said they wanted to like the book but couldn’t… well in that case the whole point of this book went completely over their head. This was the best story of stories I’ve ever read and a true work of art. I loved a gentleman of Moscow and now must go read Towles other works.
yarncatsnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Good writing, just didn't like some of the characters or the ending.