I read "A Gentleman in Moscow" simply because my book worms were going all crazy over it. I found an audio book which fitted the purpose, and I must admit it was an excellent read. When "The Lincoln Highway" was announced, its title suggesting a novel bound to an American road trip, I was definitely going to read it.
So read it I did, a year or so delayed from my initial plan.
How does it read ?
Well, it clearly is a page turner - and an adventure, with the Zeno's paradox serving as a possible underlying fundamental essence. This is the main thing about the book - the underlying essence, and what the author had in mind as his broader knowledge base, using which he authored a book, which if one is not careful could be found as a set back from his glory of "A Gentleman in Moscow". ( For those who've read the book, please read this - https://www.amortowles.com/the-lincoln-highway-q-and-a/ - but those who haven't and are planning to - stay away from the Q&A with the author ) But having read the Q&A, there are more things beneath the surface - Why 1954 ? Popular music being Tony Bennet, Perry Como, and Nat King Cole, with Rock n' Roll probably still be conceived. The first issue of the Play boy magazine was not yet published, and the birth control pill was still seven years away from approval - So in essence, Rock n' Roll, and Sex, was still not heard of, and treated from a conservative point of view, especially among teenagers. This book focuses mainly on teenagers - and how their mixed backgrounds carry them with different ethos, which they have inherited from their families - largely dysfunctional. Hence the back ground, with the way of thinking of these youngsters may suggest to readers of a rather conservative and God fearing, praying back ground. Once the reader realizes that these societal background, albeit unfamiliar by today's standards, was important to be reflected as it was in the novel, a renewed respect for the novelist cannot be helped.
The fact that each of these kids had a major portion of their ethics integrated into them by their parents is an important aspect. (Maybe it is relatively less today, with children being open to media and information from an early stage - which in effect keeps the parents too in check.) Emmett Watson has a deep rooted habit of not asking for advice or direction, which is the fault which saw his father becoming a failure, before his death. His treating of the very earnest Sally, is probably an indication of how his father treated the mother too, as gender discrimination is clearly suggested. Duchess had a dangerous portion of his father's ethics (or the lack of it), and his "ledger" of debt vs. credit on actions was soon to land him in trouble anyway. Although duchess wasn't from Nebraska, ( and the Watsons were) the serial killings by Chalres Starkweather, with him taking law on to his hands for being bullied in school was just five years in to the future ( See Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen, and the related incidents), is such an indication.
Am not sure, that the cultural background and its contemporary ethos,Towles had in mind when writing this novel will be transferred to all readers, unless they do a little home work, upon completion of the book. The more the reader spends time to understand that, the more meaningful the book will become besides being a coming of age adventure, with a few cliche incidents testing the reader at times. But hey, possibly the writing style too is heavily influenced from the adventure fiction of a by gone era !
Rating: ****
( photo credits to the webpage https://www.amortowles.com/the-lincoln-highway-q-and-a/ )
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