Before he leaves, the librarian, Ellie Matthiessen, introduces herself, recognizing him as Billys brother. Its not clear what Sarah was going to ask Woolly, but it can probably be inferred that theres something he doesnt want to talk about or answer to based on his response. Pastor John is about to collect the coins and leave when he starts to wonder what else Billy has in his backpack. With some difficulty, Woolly is able to locate it. It caused Jimmy to fall and hit his head on a cinder block, resulting in his death. Duchess uses the opportunity to knock Emmett out. After leaving the hotel, they met up with Miss Maples, the magicians assistant in their troupe. At the risk of sounding condescending, (but that is not my intention), there are a couple of typos I would be happy to point out if youd like. Ulysses advises Billy not to tell Emmett what happened, at least for now, since Emmett has a lot on his mind. He then goes into the room that he had stayed at the longest. The Lincoln Highway is a joyrideAmor 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. "How easily we forget we in the business of storytelling that life was the point all along," Towles' oldest character comments as he heads off on an unexpected adventure. However, in April, hed come back from home on a Friday smelling like whiskey, and she sensed it was over. This is why his interactions with his sister seemed to have a farewell component to it. They go to visit the offices and find a little old man who identifies himself as Professor Abernathe. I do love everything stopping still like in Marcellines stage act - thats usual Amor Towles elegance. Hes passing by when Jake attacks Emmett, and he watches as Emmett doesnt fight back. This is how I interpreted The Lincoln Highway ending. Seeing them, people start to gather. sneaking out of juvie) in order to go. He hoped to eventually have four properties to maintain and rent out for income. Emmett returns to Billy to find that was given two sandwiches from a stranger, Mrs. Simpson, in his absence. The Lincoln Highway is an adventure story through and through. The hotel clerk (after asking for compensation) then directs Emmett to Anchor where Fitzy FitzWilliams can be found. I just finished reading it last night and was so wound up by the ending I had to Google what other people thought - including Amor Towles. In July, his mother didnt seem to want to go see the fireworks. Finally, she packs a suitcase and heads out. He thinks about the promise he made to Billy about counting to 10 before hitting someone. He starts telling Emmett the story of how Duchess ended up in Salina. Though dark shadows fall across its final chapters, the book is permeated with light, wit, youth. Its an Italian dinner of Fettuccine Mio Amore inspired by Duchesss story about Leonardos. On Sunday June 20th, Duchess and Woolly slip out at the crack of dawn and head for Woollys great-grandfathers place. She's upset to learn from Duchess that Emmett plans on leaving. . Standing in front of the statue, he thinks about how his great-grandfather had always loved the Fourth of July and insisted that the whole family gather on that holiday at his place in the Adirondacks. After the Ransoms leave, the brothers catch up, and Emmett explains to Billy that they should to move. Sheriff Peterson offers to drive Emmett back in his Studebaker and to let him clean up at his house before dropping him off. After hearing this story, Billy suggests that Duchess doesnt know how to swim and didnt want to admit it, which is why he had refused to cross the river.). Duchess finds Fitzy FitzWilliams, an old friend of Harry. Duchess also uses a pay phone to call Salina to ask for the address of the retired former warden, Warden Ackerly, by pretending to be his uncle. 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. 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. He says hell pay him back as soon as they get to Woollys grandfathers place in the Adirondacks. Back at the camp, Ulysses tells Stew that hell be staying another night there. He decides he needs to go find Duchess in the Adirondacks. Duchess had instead flagged a car to hitch a ride back, but the driver was a cop who had reported him to the warden. Emmett takes a quick look and is dismayed to see that the envelope with the money from his father isnt there. However, Billy starts asking Ulysses questions (since he recognizes the name from his book of adventurers) about whether he was at war, whether he crossed the sea, whether he left a wife and son behind, etc. Duchesss father abandoning him when he was 8, and him seeing his trickery helps to explain his manipulative personality and willingness to lie. When he heads back, hes dismayed to see a police officer placing a parking ticket on Emmetts car. The next morning, Emmett heads to Harlem to pick up his now-yellow Studebaker which has gotten some other upgrades as well. He admits its not all there, but he shows Emmett that hes taken a careful accounting of how much they spent and on what. He asks them to make a pit stop at the orphanage he stayed in for a few years as a child (because his father abandoned him there temporarily). 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. However, the following February, a few weeks after Billy was born, his mother seemed tired all the time. The two-paragraph version: Emmett (18) has just gotten out of juvie and is now planning to drive down the Lincoln Highway to move to San Francisco with his younger brother Billy (8). 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.). The day after, the paper showed an image of New York city looking completely still. At Sarahs house, Duchess notices Sarah about to put the contents of a little brown bottle into her mug of tea, but he interrupts her. Ackerlys body jolts, slumps lower and his bladder releases. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Before heading to Sarah's place, the group passes by the location described in Billy's big red book as the offices of Professor Abacus Abernathe. Scrounging around, Pastor John locates the tin box containing the silver dollar collection. The Lincoln Highway Synopsis The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles In June, 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served fifteen months for involuntary manslaughter. He decides to go with Ulysses to travel via boxcar and seek out his own adventure. He hopes he might be able to become an officer or at least see more of the world. However, Duchess claims that the money is safe and sound at Sarahs place, and he offers to give Emmett another car (Woollys 1941 Cadillac convertible). He still feels guilt over the killing. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! Elsewhere, he finds a Louisville Slugger baseball bat and marvels at its design. Billy quickly falls asleep. Anyway, still bit troubled by the ending just as I was with A Gentleman - did occur to me would make great ending for the film though. When the phone rings, its Woollys sister who sounds unhappy with him. 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. The Lincoln Highway: About the Book Click the image to expand A #1 New York Times Best Seller In June, 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served fifteen months for involuntary manslaughter. Finally, around Thanksgiving in 1943, with Macie a few months pregnant, Ulysses decided to enlist. The novel probes questions about how to structure a narrative and where to start; its chapters count down from Ten to One as they build to a knockout climax. The Lincoln Highway is a joyride. Ulysses is thrown off by his questioning and wonders how Billy knows these things about him (which all happen to be accurate). Emmett Watson, just released . Afterwards, Emmett picks up Billy to head out, but Sally says her car isnt working and she needs a ride, too. Afterwards, Emmett looks at Billys big red book. The acts of violence against the Cowboy & Ackerly come from an 18 yr old w/anger - being left by his father at 10, then being sent to the work farm unjustly. At this point it becomes clear that Duchesss relationship with his father is is even worse that we previously realized, since his father felt the need to disappear when he learned Duchess was not at Salina. This is how I perceive the author's intent for all his characters. Sally drops them both off at the train station, and she asks him to promise to call and check in (on Friday at 2:30) when they get to New York. However, he feels certain Emmett did not owe a debt to the man in the cowboy hat (the cowboy). Woolly makes his way to FAO Schwarz. Jimmy was a troublemaker who had goaded Emmett into punching him. They make a quick stop at the house of the retired former warden, Ackerly, who used to beat them. One day during his junior year of school, he impulsively found a way to ditch school and take a taxi to visit his sister in Hastings-on-Hudson. Then, he took full advantage of it before finally sneaking out the back stairs when it was time to leave. That night, situated in the trains empty car, Emmett and Billy open the cars hatch (with warning from the panhandler to shut it when they near the Chicago station mid-way). When Townhouse later returned, the guards were waiting, and Ackerly punished Townhouse severely. I love to read and review various genres with a focus on contemporary fiction, historical fiction with some mysteries/thrillers and also select nonfiction and memoirs. Emmetts thoughts turn to how to track down Duchess. He also claims that the cops were only concerned about the car because Woolly almost got a ticket. In the house, Woolly gives Duchess a tour. He later attended Harvard, married a woman he loved named Polly and had two children. There is now someone else staying there. So again, while I dont think Emmett set out to murder Duchess, I also believe he didnt care what happened to himhe just didnt want to deal with his toxic behavior any longer. Over at the Ransom home, Sally thinks about a parable that Reverend Pike had read to the congregation where Jesus chides Marys sister Martha when she complains about doing all the housework while Mary sits at Jesuss feet. Sarah finds Woolly looking at the dollhouse, and they reminisce about past holidays. The night, Sally looks up the number for Father Colmore. Book Ending Promises A Major Twist. C.J. This line Emmett thinks before driving away is significant: Having come fifteen hundred miles in the wrong direction, on the verge of traveling three thousand more, Emmett believed that the power within him was new in nature, that no one but he could know what he was capable of, and he only has just begun to know it himself.. Instead, Duchess marches up to the cowboy and confronts him. In the next chapter, we learn that the box is from Sally and contains 6 jars of her strawberry preserves. I loved the tone and the atmosphere of this novel. When it was reported on in the newspapers, anti-communist sentiment ensured that Fitzys career as a well-paid Santa was over. 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. Your email address will not be published. However, hed found a stream to clean himself off and eventually made his way to some empty boxcars. The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a . When he finishes, Professor Abernathe asks to meet Ulysses. Big Sky. They say a last good-bye to Woolly, and then get in the car to pick up Sally and leave. In the city, Emmett tries to track down Duchesss father, and he struggles to navigate the busy city. But lets talk over several key events. This 2023 Lincoln Navigator L has a V6, 3.5L high output engine. The panhandler tells Emmett that the Sunset East is the best train to board discreetly at night. Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts Book Club Questions for This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, Book Club Questions for Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore, Review: The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan, Review: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy, Review: The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim, Book Club Questions for The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Review: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Q&A with Bart Mruz, Author of All My Clothes Were White, Book Club Questions for Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica, Book Club Questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, (Updated February 2023) Reeses Book Club Picks: Entire List, The Lincoln Highway: Lets Talk About That Ending! "The Lincoln Highway" by Amor Towles is a historical fiction novel that was voted by Amazon's book editors as the best book of 2021. As for the ending there are many layers to the final part of the book. One day, he was asked to do a recitation of Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto at a large event, a gig he undertook with diligence. The warden then leaves to make the 3-hour return trip back to Salinas. His father then proceeded to drive off with Miss Maples, leaving Duchess behind as he realized [hed] been had. By Amor Towles Viking: 592 pages, $30 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent . The nest morning over breakfast, Woolly takes an interest in their paper place mats, depicting the state of Illinois, local landmarks and all the other HoJo locations. She also talks about the parable of the Good Samaritan and how we do not always get to choose to whom we should show out charity.. Description: Used 2020 . Just about to start another Amor Towels. Duchess then imagines where hed open up his Leonellos if he could. When Emmett declines, Duchess "borrows" Emmett's car, forcing Emmet and Billy to stowaway on a train to New York to find Duchess and Woolly and reclaim it. Overall, the book just lacked the "delights on every page" feel of "Moscow." The writing is without a doubt excellent, and if you'd like a 1950s road trip filled with action and adventure, you may want to give "Lincoln Highway" a try. Emmett insists he has no intention of going there, but Duchess points out that hes stuck here until Monday anyway. That was eight years ago, and Ulysses had been aimlessly riding the train back and forth ever since. Emmett goes into the city to track down Duchess, who knows is looking for his father. Townhouses friends and his cousin Maurice goad him on. Sarah is painting one of the rooms, and Emmett offers to help. As the reader will quickly realise, The Lincoln Highway is not the novel that it purports to be. And obviously the accounting class was about balancing your debits and credits, not about doling out vigilante justice. When he sees Emmett shove Duchess, Billy decides to interrupt to prevent Emmett from continuing to lash out. Duchess realizes that theyre at the intersection that is mentioned in Billys big red book (I write to you from the junction of Thirty-Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue on the isle of Manhattan), the location thats described as the office of Professor Abacus Abernathe, the author of the book. Emmett recognizes the numerous flaws in Billys plan if shes really there and whether she wants to see them but he agrees to think about it. Marcelines account in Paris was wiped out, too. Then, theyre interrupted when they hear a loud noise coming from downstairs. Duchess tells Billy that hes been to hundreds of cities because her father was a traveling actor. She has learned that he has purchased the Watson farm and all their land from the bank during the foreclosure. Ulysses instructs a man named Stew who was cooking some food to give some to Billy and Emmett, and Ulysses pays for their food. Many novels. With the exception of Woolly, the teenagers in this novel are remarkably mature by today's standards, and burdened by cares. Emmett then asks to change the subject. It seems like the loud noise was probably Sallys car making some type of noise. When they were 17, they started a side business of renting out the cars to the boys nearby. Woolly has proposed that if Duchess and Emmett agree to help him claim what is rightfully his, then hell split the proceeds equally between them. He recalls how Grandma Wolcott would take them to FAO Schwarz to buy Christmas presents, and then they would go to the Plaza for tea. Quick (-ish) Recap Amazon; Insider When you buy through our links, Insider may.
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