Review: The Lincoln Highway


I have to admit, I'm a bit of a Towles fan. Such eloquence of expression is truly spell-binding. This is undisputedly an adults' novel but I'd recommend it for YA readers, as well. Here's why ...

Towles writes with such wit, intelligence, compassion and sophistication, to experience one of his novels is less of a reading event rather an exquisite pilgrimage into a world so beautifully crafted and portrayed, so cleverly multi-layered, it's an effort to farewell it. Admittedly, the following does not reveal a great deal about the plot. I'll leave that for the back cover blurb. It's the purpose of the thing that truly resounds. 

The Lincoln Highway exhibited elements of The Outsiders and The Rain Man for me but all encapsulated in its own big, bold, unique personality. And just like these two former tales, larger than life characters dripping with charm, tragedy and heart-hugging humour steal the show; characters so finely honed, their hurts and happy moments pierce like a tattoo artist's needle, forever leaving an imprint that is hard to erase. 

And no, I didn't find the alternating voices and exposition confusing or distracting. More fascinating was the reverse chronological listing of chapters or parts; perhaps a notation of the fact that the whole story is in fact based around the 'snag' Emmet encounters thanks to the appearance of Duchess and Woolly before his and Billy's journey even begins. Ingenious. Once these disruptions are overcome, our protagonists' true story can begin. In medias res as it were ...

There is a sustentive balance of light and shade throughout this expedition of duty, provenance, retribution and faith. Indeed some moments are decidedly dark. Yet each turn and twist adds to immensity of Emmet's and Billy's quest: ostensibly to find their mother and start a new life. Each mile achieved, then lost then retraced, takes them closer to a future they as yet have only dreamt about. But the journey on the Lincoln Highway is also a magnificent coming of age experience. Symbolically and veritably, lives are enriched by their journey including their own. Souls are saved. And ultimately an awful lovely solace is found.

Just like the great Ulysses' journey, Emmet's and Billy's adventure is tale of determination, road blocks, perceived integrity and above all love in its many stupendous guises. Towles explores them all - eros, philia, storge, agape, pragma - at all levels and I encourage you to do so as well.

Highly recommended.

Title: The Lincoln Highway
Author: Amor Towles
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $22.99
Publication Date: July 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781529157642
For ages: 15+
Type: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

Buy the Book: Dymocks, Boomerang Books, Booktopia

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