As the reader will quickly realise, The Lincoln Highway is not the novel that it purports to be. Duchess sees wrongs as misdeeds essentially put someone in anothers debt, which can only be put right by finding a way to balance the accounts. Hes being let out a a few months early from his 18-month sentence because his father has passed away. I found there to be some inconsistencies in the narrative - my opinion is that much of the book seems like it have taken place in the late 1950s, when travel investments (e.g., Interstate Road System) would have enabled a 20 hour drive from Nebraska to New York City. A year ago, Emmett killed another young man, Jimmy Snyder. So, he plans to go there to ask about Harry Hewetts whereabouts and hopefully find Duchess in the process. With Emmett busy at Ma Belles place, Woolly and Duchess have Billy in tow. He then thinks about happy memories of their adventures. Emmett finds himself regarding the drunk man with some measure of disdain, while thinking about how Mr. Parker is probably someone who has always been able to get anything he wanted his whole life. While A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway differ in duration, the ending of the two books match each other in a very specific . Townhouse tells Emmett what transpired with Duchess, and Townhouse warns that two cops showed up yesterday looking for Duchess. Emmett thinks about how the difficulty of distinguishing between fact and fancy was what drove their father to end up bankrupt pursuing his dreams. Feeling good about having squared things away with Townhouse, Duchess thinks about how good deeds can be habit forming, and he decides to give Maurice the keys to Emmetts Studebaker. Duchess (nicknamed because he was born in Dutchess County) explains that they hid in the wardens trunk to hitch a ride here. Sally muses that men seem to think that meals just make themselves. However, once Duchess is awake and the money begins to blow away, Duchess shifts the boat to try and get itcausing it to sink and since Duchess cant swim, he drowns. Looking at Emmett, though, he says he doesnt look like a theatrical producer, and he recommends that Emmett pretend to be a rodeo owner. However, the police broke up the event. Duchess plans to start a new life after all of this and wants to clear out any debts he owes or owed to him before he does. He says hes considering joining the army. When it was his turn to recite the Gettysburg Address, he remembers how the whole family had chimed in happily when he forgot the words. This road show incorporates American culture, history, food, family, traditions and the changing way . Emmett ventures into Brooklyn to attend circus show that Townhouse had mentioned that Duchess and Woolly were going to. He reminds Emmett that he has paid his debt to society and to make the most of your liberty. Finally, he tells Woolly that hes going back to Salina to finish his sentence, and afterwards Woolly is going to work for his friend at the stock exchange to teach Woolly some responsibility. Emmetts father describes his legacies as being a form of sacrilege. He tells Pastor John to leave Billy alone and demands that Pastor John exit the moving train, saying that he rides alone. In Pennsylvania, much of the Lincoln Highway became Route 30. Not long after, World War II had started. He also thinks about how his mother had loved firework shows. Duchess tells Townhouse that he figures he owes Townhouse about three punches (8 for the Hondo incident minus 5 for the Oreo incident), and he invites Townhouse the punch him, promising not to fight back. Duchess is a smart guy so I think he would have waited for the wind to push him back to the other side of the lake. Sheriff Peterson comments on how Emmett doesnt appear to have fought back with Jake at all. The second is because his father knew it technically belonged to his creditors. Amor Towles ' new Great American Road Novel tails four boys three 18-year-olds who met in a juvenile reformatory, plus a brainy 8-year-old as they set out. Back at Sarah's place, Emmett eventually shows up. "Most of us shell our days like peanuts. The Lincoln Highway is a coming-of-age tale about the transition from teenager to adulthood. Emmett has carefully planned the trip so they can make it to Omaha to drop off Duchess and Woolly and then to San Francisco in four days flat. Knowing the Fitzy is an alcoholic, Duchess offers to buy him a drink in an attempt to loosen his tongue. I will definitely finish the book, as I like it, but your summary will help me bluff my way through book club. Emmett finds him in another room playing piano. The two novels have collectively sold more than four million copies and have been translated into more than thirty languages. However, Peterson had asked if Emmett had visitors from out of town. Towles' intricately plotted tale is underpinned by young Billy's obsession with a big red alphabetical compendium of 26 heroes and adventurers both mythical and real from Achilles to Zorro, though the letter Y is left blank for You (the reader) to record your own intrepid quest. His father was an insurance adjuster for damaged ships and his mother was a seamstress. In 1954 much of that travel would have been on two lane roads until reaching Pennsylvania and New Jersey. ABC's newest procedural crime drama, Big Sky, premieres . Its an Italian dinner of Fettuccine Mio Amore inspired by Duchesss story about Leonardos. As he drives by the fairgrounds, it reminds him of Jimmy Snyder. Nov. 19, 2021 Universally Accepted To the Editor: In his recent review of Amor Towles's wonderful "The Lincoln Highway" (Nov. 7), Chris Bachelder says, "The book lacks a prominent female. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Then he thinks about it and forcefully knocks Duchess out. This surprises Emmett since Duchess had always implied that Delphine had abandoned them. Once he steals Emmetts car and heads up to New York, it completely delays Emmetts and Billys plans. They mentioned that former warden Ackerly was attacked and a blue Studebaker was spotted nearby. Macie hadnt wanted him to enlist, but as time passed Ulysses had been unable to stand stares of everyone else who judged him for that decision. So, maybe he didnt actually kill Woolly but he also didnt help to prevent the overdose. However, Woolly says that its too precious just to keep, saying that its a watch that should be handed down to others. However, flour is much more dense than crackers, so on the way to New York, there is extra space (and empty train cars at the back) although it carries it same weight back and forth. He sees that Maurice is mixed race (part black and part white) and imagines that he struggles to fit in. In present day, Ulysses asks him if hes still coming, and he follows Ulysses up to a boxcar that was destined to take them who knows where. Im not surewhat do you think about that scene? Also, he realizes that he never gave Emmett an address for Sarahs house. This section covers Woolly Part 9 through Wooly . In the meantime, the Snyders had told everyone that Emmett had punched Jimmy for accidentally bumping into him. At the park, Woolly notices a man feeding the birds and some squirrels (the Birdman) by placing kernels of popcorn all over himself. Maurice looks dejected. Before Emmett leaves, Sally mentions that when they do finally hit the road, she plans to go to San Francisco as well. (Previous chapters have referenced how Warden William had taken over from Ackerly and made reforms like trying to educate the kids and firing the nurse who was illicitly dispensing drugs. They spent a nice afternoon together, but when Dennis, a VP-level banker at J.P. Morgan, at gets home he is furious that Woollys sister spent the afternoon chatting with Woolly instead of getting dinner ready. On the spare tire, he finds a letter from his father. He says that the train will soon slow down and that Billy needs to get off then. Ackerly is describes as someone who wasnt inclined to put into words a piece of advice that could be delivered more efficiently with a stick.). Ackerlys body jolts, slumps lower and his bladder releases. The Bibliofile's review of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Duchess tries to justify both but its undeniable that those were unprovoked actions and the fact he doesnt see that is pretty disturbing in itself. In Chapter 1, Emmett arrives at Woolly's great-grandfather's house to find Woolly dead and Woolly still trying to get the safe open. In 1914, Coan was made honorary vice president of the national LHA. I was disappointed they never had an interaction and that really didnt go anywhere. He hoped to eventually have four properties to maintain and rent out for income. There's so much to enjoy in this generous novel packed with fantastic characters male and female, black and white, rich and poor and filled with digressions, magic tricks, sorry sagas, retributions, and the messy business of balancing accounts. He also mentions Duchess going to Harlem first (which Emmett seems to understand was likely for the purpose of visiting Townhouse). Much worse than death of Woolly - which was so sad and a tragedy but not shocking. He gets Harry's former address from his agency. He decides to lunge for the money instead to try to save it. He then grabs Billy by his shirt collar. Thanks again! In the house, Woolly gives Duchess a tour. His father then proceeded to drive off with Miss Maples, leaving Duchess behind as he realized [hed] been had. Billy has recently found some old postcards indicating their mother (who left them 8 years ago) once took the journey there down the Lincoln Highway. He advises Emmett that the only type of person these receptionists are inclined to help are producers, since they hold the purse strings. He thinks about how Emmett is not reckless, but tends to lash out when angry. But Emmett is concerned that Duchess will try and find them. Duchesss father abandoning him when he was 8, and him seeing his trickery helps to explain his manipulative personality and willingness to lie. When Warden Williams later had them all take an accounting class about balancing your accounts, Duchess started to understand what Sister Agnes had been teaching them. The action (and there's a lot of it) unfolds over a 10-day period, starting in Nebraska and ending in. Duchess notes now as they drive, Woolly listens intently to the commercials. And because his family are society people, she uses the Social Register to find an address for his family. Billy puts on the watch. 62,175 miles Body Style: SUV Engine: 4 Cyl 2.0 L MPG City/Hwy: 21/26 . We learn that when Duchess was 16, he framed by Harry for a number of thefts in the hotel they were living in (which Harry had actually committed). I can't wait for his next book. They also determine that Duchess failed to leave an address for Sarahs place. As they work, Sarah tells him about how Woolly ended up at Salina. . Finally, just before 8 oclock, Emmett shows up at Sarahs door. It would have made more sense if when leaving, he threw an oar in the boat or had a . However, Duchess had sneaked it out and put it into Tommys locker. It turns out that his father had sent him downstairs so he could take the watch, and when he realized the police were interested in its whereabout, he had slipped it into Duchesss pocket to avoid being caught with it. I did not understand the role of Sally. Ma Belle tells him that Duchess drugged him, but asks him not to be angry with Duchess. Very disappointed by death of Duchess. Emmett had brought down the picnic set to urge them to go, and his mother had reluctantly agreed. C.J. When they pass by a large stone building, Duchess says he used to live there and asks to take a look for just a minute. Meanwhile, Emmett and Mr. He says that he thinks Ulyssess life could be an echo of the life of the Great Ulysses, and that after ten years you could be reunited with your wife and son. Book Club Questions for The Lincoln Highway Why do you think this book was titled The Lincoln Highway? It seems that Emmetts mother suffered from depression, which was exacerbated by post-partum depression, which is part of the reason why she left. In 1919, during the height of his military career, future president Dwight Eisenhower described the Lincoln Highway in Nevada when he accompanied an Army caravan from the White House to the West Coast: "From Orr"s Ranch, Utah, to Carson City, Nevada, the road is one succession of dust, ruts, pits, and holes. Jake starts punching Emmett, and Emmett doesnt fight back. Duchess had instead flagged a car to hitch a ride back, but the driver was a cop who had reported him to the warden. He has Billy with him and knows that bringing him was a mistake, since the area appears very rough. Ulysses advises Billy not to tell Emmett what happened, at least for now, since Emmett has a lot on his mind. He wants to start in media res (in the middle of the story), and he considers what the best starting point would be. Clearly this doesnt represent the future since Woolly is alive but maybe that flash was simply Duchess wishes. He understands why Sally is upset, knowing that there was once the possibility of something between them. Meanwhile, Townhouse says that two detectives dropped by the night before. Wooleys voice is muffled, though there is a sweetness to him that comes through. This was very helpful! In spring of 1953 his father had a flu he couldnt recover from. On the train, Billy nearly gets his silver coin collection stolen from him by a fake pastor, "Pastor" John, but Pastor John is stopped by Ulysses -- a black WWII vet who is also hitching a ride on the train. Hed then spotted the encampment due to the campfire, and saw that Billy and Ulysses were there. The story takes place over ten days in 1954, when two young brothers, Emmett and Billy, intend to drive their Studebaker from Nebraska to California. Spoiler warning: these summaries contains spoilers. Then, in the kitchen hed found an envelope marked To Be Opened in the Event of My Absence in Woollys handwriting (which we soon learn is Woollys will). She had taught them how the wrongs people do to one another become your chains by binding you with either indignation or guilt. The Lincoln Highway is a journey in multiple layers the escapades of a road trip, coming of age passages and a storytelling odyssey. As Ulysses attempts to run there, the winds and rough terrain fight against him. I loved the tone and the atmosphere of this novel. In present day, Billy tells Ulysses that according to the book, it took Homers Ulysses ten years to be reunited with his wife and child, so he thinks Ulysses will be reunited with his own family in less than two years. She thinks about how they say the Lord answers all prayers, its just that sometimes he answers no.. He also seems to have a soft spot for Woolly and seems to feels that hes been similarly screwed over by his family or been treated unfairly by life. By now, Ulysses, Emmett and Billy are settled in the boxcar together with Billy reading from his book the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Emmett feels sad and then angry. I felt pleased that Emmett and Billy were on their way and on their own with the money but also felt sorrow for Duchess who did have some redeemable features, but alas in the end his greed killed him. Outside the library, Emmett is accosted by two guys he knows Jacob Jake Snyder and Eddie Anderson and one he doesnt wearing a cowboy hat. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He knows that population growth is crucial to his plan of ensuring the profits of possible rental properties. Before they leave, Sister Agnes gives Billy a medallion of Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
