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jhbandcats's review
- 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? Yes
5.0
The story is told from multiple points of view, each in a distinctive voice. The writing is beautiful, lush in its descriptions, knowing in the ways of damaged people. It’s a story of four boys on a journey but the Lincoln Highway itself is a sidebar to the varied experiences, both good and bad, that befall the characters.
I loved seeing the world through Billy’s eyes. At eight, he’s innocent and guileless, expecting the world to be the same. The older boys, each around 18, have good reason to be jaded and angry but overall they’re hopeful. Emmett is especially resourceful in dealing with the many obstacles in his path. His love for Billy guides his every move.
I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
franklola's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
elizaeaa22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
sharonus's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Blood, and Death of parent
lauramcc7's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
like, i get what it tries to do, but it doesnt rly end up working for me. the writing and narrative voices can be enjoyable - god knows how many times i chuckled or snorted from the periodically deadpanned narration and dialogue; the characters are fleshed out, making them understandable as ppl despite how ??? they can be, and billy's def my fav character for how endearing yet wise he is. at the same time, however, i find a few of them bland (esp emmett, befuddingly), and others simply rage-inducing (looking at u, the damn pastor and duchess). the book also often reads like a game of cat-and-mouse, just a long, winding trail chase that hops from one thing to another, one w/ an ending thats unfortunately a lil underwhelming at that.
my biggest issue w/ the novel is prolly its ability to evoke any emotions - the good ones anyway - from me, despite how long, adventurous, character filled it is, esp considering the amount of scenes that could be impactful, but ultimately fail to. overall, this unfortunately doesnt live up to my expectations despite its lofty potential.
Graphic: Racism and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and War
kmw2017's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Toxic friendship
debimorton's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment