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journeywithmeow'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
amyvl93'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
The novel follows Emmett, who has been released from youth prison following a freak accident, and returns to his farm home following the death of his father. He plans to travel with his brother to a new life in California but this plan is derailed when his fellow inmates Duchess and Woolly have escaped with him and have their owns plans to head to New York.
Now whilst this may not have hit the heights for me of his previous works, Towles writing is excellent as ever. There's something about his prose that can really sweep you up into a story, and the sense of place was excellent - both the rural small town settings and the streets of New York. This is an American road trip novel, which is a tradition I'm not steeped in, so I'm aware that I may have missed some references to novels and films, as there were definitely times where I found the zany cast of characters that the characters came across got a little wearing.
My biggest challenge with this novel was the fundamentally unlikeable character of Duchess. I think the text wanted us to find sympathy for him; and I definitely recognised the pain of his upbringing but other than that I found him a horrendously selfish character and I struggled to spend time with his perspective. Whilst all the characters, except maybe Billy - Emmett's brother, were complex flawed characters, but Duchess had my back right up as I could never quite understand his motivations for any of his choices.
It's a shame this didn't live up to my expectations, but I still look forward to what Towles writes next.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
natashaball's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
mitchelldavis1997's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
slynne12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
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
abbyarm'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
3.5
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and War