The Lincoln HighwayThe Lincoln Highway
What it's about
In June 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska after serving time at a juvenile work farm. His father has died and the farm is lost, so Emmett plans to take his little brother Billy and drive to California to start over. But two friends from the work farm have hidden in the warden's car, and they have other plans, which lead to New York.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow, writes a charming, cleverly told road novel over ten days.
You'll love it if you liked
The Catcher in the Rye
Cold Mountain
JamesGood to know
It's told by several characters, including the troublemaker Duchess. The ending is abrupt and surprised some readers.
By the numbers
- Readers72 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller68 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #71 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #115 of the 481 new books we rank
- #622 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Adventurous
More by Amor Towles
If you like this, read next
Demon Copperhead
The Women
My Friends
The Safekeep
The Frozen River
Lessons in ChemistryExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Lincoln Highway worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #622 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 76.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Lincoln Highway about?
In June 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska after serving time at a juvenile work farm. His father has died and the farm is lost, so Emmett plans to take his little brother Billy and drive to California to start over. But two friends from the work farm have hidden in the warden's car, and they have other plans, which lead to New York.
How long does it take to read The Lincoln Highway?
About 15 hours (593 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Lincoln Highway?
If you liked it, try The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier or James by Percival Everett.