The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles follows Emmett Watson, newly released from a juvenile detention center, who, along with his younger brother Billy, plans to start anew in California. However, their journey is sidetracked when two former inmates, Duchess and Woolly, join them, leading to an unexpected cross-country adventure filled with moral conflicts and a quest for redemption. The book includes pervasive physical violence, emotional abuse, and depictions of suicide.

Amor Towles' The Lincoln Highway captivates readers with its richly detailed prose and well-developed characters. The novel’s exploration of friendship and adventure receives high praise, though some find its pace sluggish. A mix of poignant moments and weaving narratives, the book’s complexity may challenge some but is largely seen as a rewarding read.

Readers who enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow or Rules of Civility will be captivated by The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Ideal for those who appreciate richly drawn characters, historical settings, and a narrative journey reminiscent of John Steinbeck's East of Eden. Fans of literary fiction and engaging, multilayered plots will find this book compelling.

Adventurous / Nostalgic / Heartwarming / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- The Lincoln Highway marks Amor Towles' third novel, following his acclaimed works Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow.
- The novel is set in the 1950s and features various locations along the actual Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway for automobiles in the United States.
- During its release, The Lincoln Highway quickly ascended bestseller lists, receiving praise for its character development and engaging narrative style.

**Emmett Watson**  
Emmett Watson, the protagonist of *The Lincoln Highway*, is an 18-year-old whose life changes dramatically after an accidental lethal punch. Raised on a Nebraska farm, he dreams of starting anew with his younger brother, Billy, in Texas using his carpentry skills. Emmett is known for his strong morals yet struggles with managing his temper. After his father's death, he is determined to care for Billy and leave the past behind.

**Billy Watson**  
Billy Watson, Emmett's precocious eight-year-old brother, is wise beyond his years but also naïve in seeing the best in others. He is curious, enthusiastic, and capable of forming positive relationships with people easily. Billy deeply loves his older brother Emmett and relies on him for protection and guidance, despite the risks of being too trusting with strangers.

**Daniel "Duchess" Hewett**  
Duchess is raised by a con artist father and lacks the essential traits for maintaining positive relationships. Growing up in the theatrical environment, he has a skewed sense of morality shaped by his past hardships. Duchess’s actions are often self-serving, and he struggles with honesty and boundaries, making him an unreliable narrator.

**Wallace “Woolly” Wolcott Martin**  
Woolly Martin, older than the other young men in *The Lincoln Highway*, comes from a privileged background but faces developmental and psychological challenges. He finds solace in his family’s history and has a deep bond with his sister, Sarah. Despite his compassionate nature, his limitations often result in him getting into trouble. Woolly seeks to avoid conflict and please others, struggling to find his place in a structured world.

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Part 1: “Ten”

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Part 2: “Nine” 

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Part 3: “Eight”

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Part 4: “Seven”

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Part 5: “Six”

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Part 6: “Five”

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Part 7: “Four”

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Part 8: “Three”

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Part 9: “Two”

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Part 10: “One”

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