The Lincoln Highway is a fantastic read that I just couldn't put down. The story of two brothers, Emmett and Billy, on an epic road trip through the early 50s was so captivating. Their brotherly relationship was especially endearing, as were the side characters like Ulysses, Wholly ,Duchess and Sally who added to their journey in unique ways. The character development throughout the book kept me hooked until its conclusion - which left me wanting more!!! I'm still hoping for a SEQUEL to find out what happens next with these beloved characters and answer some lingering questions from this amazing novel! Thank you for this amazing book! Definitely my favorite finds at my bookstore!
Love the imagination, descriptions, settings, and most of all, the characters in both Gentleman...Moscow and Lincoln Highway. Listened to both on Libby. Through our Library here in B.C. Readers were great. Thank you Amor!!!!
Having loved, read, and then reread both The Gentleman from Moscow and Rules of Civility I was eager to dive into The Lincoln Highway. It grabbed me from the first moment-I even took this behemoth sized novel back and forth with me on a flight where I didn't check my luggage: I actually reduced my carry on allowance to accommodate it. Four hours going and four hours coming home with nothing but pure reading enjoyment; thanks so much for sharing your gift. Please don't stop-we need more!
This book is the perfect example of what made me fall in love with reading. A pure delight, an adventure in thought and word and heart with every turn of the page. I will return to this book many times as it has already become a friend of mine. Thank you for writing such a beautiful, moving story.
Hi Amor, I have a newborn and was missing my nighttime reading ritual, but then I got The Lincoln Highway on audiobook. While being up at all hours and sleep deprived, it was the most delightful part of my day (aside from my sweet new baby). The performances are incredible and make your work come to life so vividly! My dad and I love your books, and I hope my daughter will someday love them as well ❤️ Thank you for the dedication you put into your writing.
Incredible work of fiction! Amor Towles, you are truly unmatched. I would love a discussion surrounding Ulysses and Professor Abernathy's culmination. Anyone else?
Mr Towles, I just finished your book a few minutes ago and have already recommended it to my husband and sister-in-law and will be telling friends too. It is truly an epic adventure story with fabulous characters and a carefully-woven story-line that keeps the pages turning. I very much enjoyed your first two novels...and I love the fact that you challenge yourself to "retool almost every element of your craft" by mixing it up with each novel. The ending was perfect; when I closed the book, I thought that you probably had fun writing this book. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with all of us!
Mr. Towles, your writing is an absolute treasure, and weirdly, I always seem to read your work at the worst possible times in my life. I got pulled over for going 10 miles above the speed limit the day I started "A gentlemen in Moscow" (Guy Smith's narration oh how beautiful that novel was), audiobook CD in my car, I read "Rules of civility" while ravaged by Covid at home, and currently reading your latest (i know I know late to the party) in the midst of the greatest disappointment I've faced in my life. That being said, I'll pick up your next one without one bit of hesitation.
Hello, Mr. Towles I happened to read your book, A gentleman in Moscow, and... you became my favorite author ever since. Even though your words were translated in Korean, I still could feel how beautiful they were. I've just finished "Rules of civility" and I loved it(of course.. why not?) Now I am waiting for your new book, Lincoln Highway. I pre-ordered it, since it may take pretty long time to read your new book translated in Korean. 😅 I cannot wait that long time. Thank you for letting me read beautiful stories and hope you keep letting me 👍
This kind of previous insight about the story is very important for a much more deep understanding of the novel, specially about the details that are capable of making it remarkable, thank you for providing it to us
Mr. Towles, I just finished the book (one flight plus too long evenings) and I loved it not only for the current stories but also for the connections with characters from Rules of Civility. I'll have to go back to a Gentleman in Moscow to see if there are threads to link across. Thank you for the meticulous planning and wonderful writing.
Thank you, Mr. Towles, for expanding the storytelling beyond two points of view. That decision made for compelling reading. The way you crystallize the American historical context into unique detail is also virtuosic, and the scope of the novel situates you in a great American literary tradition. I have just read and enjoyed "Rules of Civility", and its clarity and polish brought New York to brilliant life though I do feel closer to the characters in your third novel than to the protagonist in the first. I look forward to getting lost in your second novel next! Thank you so much.
H.A.H, Thanks the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY, and I appreciate your taking the time to share your impressions. (You can register through the Contact page on my web site, if you want occasional news of my work). Best, Amor
Amor Towles - you are a gift to society! I just finished reading The Lincoln Highway, and want to start all over and read it again. So Dikensian, with the rich and poor, heros and villians, and all the coincidences and fortuitous meetings. The thought of getting through a 576 page novel was daunting at first, but the book was a page turner, with a MOST satisfying ending. I loved A Gentleman in Moscow which, as has been commented on, gave me sustenance during Covid. If he can live in a hotel for decades, I can isolate in my house for a year or two (or now, going on three.) Thank you, thank you for such a rich and enjoyable read!
Mr. Towles I just finished your book and I loved it. I had big hopes after loving Gentleman in Moscow so much and Lincoln Highway was spectacular. I love the multiple perspectives, each character’s observations on life and the relationships in this story. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world!
Thank you so much for another adventure! I look forward to visiting your website, especially to learn more of your practices. It's amazing to me that you are able to capture the zeitgeists of different periods and locations, and make the periods come to life. They are believable settings for the complex characters and situations you create. As a teen in the 1970's I became submerged in the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and 'Rules of Civility' took me back to that time and place. (I also fell in love with your character Tinker.) As an older teen and at university, I read a lot of Russian novels (in translation), and 'A Gentleman in Moscow' reminded me of those novels. Now I have thoroughly enjoyed bopping back to the 1950's ... although I was born in 1959 in suburban USA, I am familiar with that decade, too. (My parents married in 1954, and I have early memories of the powder-blue and white sedan they owned.) What is more: as an older reader, I appreciated the moral dilemmas that the characters wrestled with, and admired how you presented and handled them. There were times while I was reading LH that I exclaimed (yes, aloud!), "Oh, no!!!! Don't you dare do that!" I felt angry, but you managed to resolve everything to the satisfaction of my moral standards. Thank you. Please know that the extended time and effort you put into your novels makes them profoundly fulfilling reading experiences. I look forward to reading your future novels!
Fascinating book. Very absorbing. Maybe the most curious thing about a book called The Lincoln Highway is that virtually none of it actually takes place on The Lincoln Highway. The narrative is one long unexpected detour.
I have read all three of your books and loved them equally. I finished The Lincoln Highway last weekend and found myself processing it still the following day. I adore Billy and loved/ liked most of the remaining characters. I found myself hoping for a sequel at first but as I thought more about it, I think my heart was about to be broken, so now that I know about Shroedinger’s cat, thanks to Big Bang Theory, maybe it’s best to leave it at that. I know this isn’t going to make sense to anyone else, but lastly I wanted to say your writing reminds me so much of one of my most beloved authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald . I can’t wait to read your next book, and until it’s ready, I’ll content myself with periodic re-reads of the first three.
I love the multiple perspectives and also cannot imagine it being told from only two. You tell a great story with amazing characters. You're an auto-buy for me.
Just finished the book tonight and gosh I need a book club to discuss it all!! I really love your writing. Thank you so much for putting your work out in the world for us to enjoy. It’s a delight!
What a blessing to have stumbled onto this video. I’m about midway through The Lincoln Highway, am thoroughly enjoying it, and found Mr. Towles’ description of how he developed the story to add to my enjoyment of the novel.
Okay. I’ll read this new novel. I must say, I became almost addicted to the Gentleman in Moscow. It resonated with so much of my reading and was a joy throughout. It’s a great story, and a book about class, taste, manners, culture shock, love, and humanity (to cut this list short). Amor, if you read this, I express my thanks. Lockdowns and marriage breakdowns are hard, so your book was important to me. Peter Dorset UK
You are an inspiration Mr. Towles, I'm currently in the process of reading A Gentleman in Moscow and I've never felt more motivated to become a writer myself. Your vocabulary and narration style is absolutely perfect in terms of it matching the Count's.
I am looking forward to reading The Lincoln Highway. I absolutely loved A Gentleman in Moscow. When I saw the video of how you write with a detailed plan, it makes one realize how much work goes into writing a novel. As a fan, I appreciate your work immensely.
Hi Amor! This is Dylan, from Buffalo, NY! I first read A Gentleman in Moscow in Spring of 2020, as the first book I read after being sent home from college going into quarantine. Being under a form of isolation myself then, I took great comfort in the positivity of Count Rostov, and it really did make the days feel much more manageable, so I wanted to tell you how powerful reading that was, at that time for me. After that, I read Rules of Civility the following Winter, and loved it as well. I am SO excited for The Lincoln Highway to come out in a few weeks, and am appreciative of you making background videos like this. Thank you for the poetic storytelling, and keep up the great work!
Dylan, Thanks for kind words. I'm so glad you have enjoyed my work. Visit the Contact page at amortowles.com if you want to be on my list to receive rare news. Best, AT
Mr. Towles, I read this book as soon as it came out, having loved both A Gentleman in Moscow and The Rules if Civility. So, I proposed it to my book club and we are reading it this month. In preparation, I have reread it and like a stew it was even more delicious the second time around. One of the things I love most about your writing is that you plant an idea and it comes to fruition sometime 40-50 pages later making the reader think they are quite clever to have made the connection. You must chuckle yourself at some of your "plants." Billy is such a wonderful character - so wise and yet so much a little boy who worships his big brother. Sally is a true feminist in the most basic sense of the term - the imagined conversation between Jesus and Martha was priceless. The anecdote about the recitation of the Gettysburg Address tells us everything we need to know about who Wooly is. Even small role characters like Wooly's sister and brother in law are drawn finely enough that we feel that we know if we would want to know them better ( yes and no respectively). And Ulysses! What a splendid character you have drawn. I loved him to the core and am certain that he did find his wife and son at the end of the road. There is such a strong moral fibre that runs through the novel. A strong sense of right and wrong; of justice and mercy. What on the surface might seem like a simple coming of age story is as epic as The Odyssey. Congratulations and thank you.
I have loved all of your work. However, I was stunned by the ending of The Lincoln Highway and wondered why you made that decision …. Just a note …. I thought A Gentleman In Moscow had the best ending ever.
Dear Mr. Towles! First of all thank you for the great reading! I am in the middle of The Lincoln Highway (listening the audio version). Even if the story rolls in 50-s and you are too young to put your personal experience from these times into that book, I think (ask), how much of you is there in it. To write everything from imagination sounds cool, but what I have been thinking is that if I'll write a book some day, I'll probably write it about myself. About what I have gone through so I can put on the pages those feelings I felt. The pain and happiness, boredom and excitement. But I'll never write one. But thankfully you do and we will read or listen and live it through.
All my respect sir, I'm about to finish "un gentleman à Moscou" in French, I absolutely love your writing. I bought "les règles du jeu" and I hope you will have your latest book also translated in french soon. Thank you for taking me to another dimension.
Thank you for this wonderful book! Both my wife Simone and I enjoyed the read very much. (We live in Germany but read the English version, so we cannot say anything about how good the translation into German actually is.) - The Lincoln Highway was the first of your books we read, but now we are going to read your previous ones for sure. - We would like to ask three questions, if you don't mind. Firstly, we have slight doubts about how realistic the long planned suicide of such young a person as Woolly really is. Why do you think such a tragedy is a credible ending? Secondly, you mentioned that in the first place you intended to write the novel from just two perspectives (Duchess' and Emmett's). The published version of The Lincoln Highway is seen through the eyes of two people "speaking" in the first person, namely Duchess and Sally. Why are their's the only chapters in the first person? And finally, for what reason is Dennis mostly referred to as "Dennis"? - Many thanks and best regards from Potsdam, Germany.
I truly enjoy your books very much… just finished your last one… could not put it down!! Would you know if The Gentlemen in Moscow was translated in Slovak?
When I got to chapter 10 in this book, I went out and bought everything you've written because your writing style is amazing. Usually I will skip paragraphs in a novel that are too descriptive or boring - but in this book, I read every single word. Absorbed it all. From the introduction the the conclusion, this book is masterfully written. And I'm recommending it to everyone I know. I only have one question - why is "Dennis" in quotations?lol. Looking forward to reading the other novels now and rereading this novel again in the future!
I finished reading The Lincoln Highway last night and enjoyed the time period (I was about Billy’s age in 1954) as well as the rollicking adventure although my heart is still dealing with the stunning, although probably inevitable ending. I’d be interested in your or another commenter’s input re the chapters counting down, an interesting quirk.
I can’t believe I’m still commenting on this 5-month-old video 🤷♀️ Completely by chance the book I picked up to read right after TLH is Olga Grushin’s The Charmed Wife, an inspired and creative interpretation of Cinderella. Oddly, it starts near the end and finishes up at The Beginning.
I am thoroughly involved in the book. Billy has just become acquainted with Ulysses. Only one tiny quibble: Duchess at HoJo has polished off his “sunny side ups”, shouldn’t it be “sunny sides up”? (Insert smirk avatar here)
“In medias res” is age 40 Thank you so much, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all 3 novels and look forward to the LH movie. In Quran: the Final Testament, God tells us 40: The Age of Decision* [Quran 46:15] We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him arduously, gave birth to him arduously, and took intimate care of him for thirty months. When he reaches maturity, and reaches the age of forty,* he should say, "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter."
The Lincoln Highway is a fantastic read that I just couldn't put down. The story of two brothers, Emmett and Billy, on an epic road trip through the early 50s was so captivating. Their brotherly relationship was especially endearing, as were the side characters like Ulysses, Wholly ,Duchess and Sally who added to their journey in unique ways. The character development throughout the book kept me hooked until its conclusion - which left me wanting more!!! I'm still hoping for a SEQUEL to find out what happens next with these beloved characters and answer some lingering questions from this amazing novel! Thank you for this amazing book! Definitely my favorite finds at my bookstore!
Love the imagination, descriptions, settings, and most of all, the characters in both Gentleman...Moscow and Lincoln Highway. Listened to both on Libby. Through our Library here in B.C.
Readers were great. Thank you Amor!!!!
Having loved, read, and then reread both The Gentleman from Moscow and Rules of Civility I was eager to dive into The Lincoln Highway. It grabbed me from the first moment-I even took this behemoth sized novel back and forth with me on a flight where I didn't check my luggage: I actually reduced my carry on allowance to accommodate it. Four hours going and four hours coming home with nothing but pure reading enjoyment; thanks so much for sharing your gift. Please don't stop-we need more!
Thanks, Sylvia. I promise there will be more!
This book is the perfect example of what made me fall in love with reading. A pure delight, an adventure in thought and word and heart with every turn of the page. I will return to this book many times as it has already become a friend of mine. Thank you for writing such a beautiful, moving story.
Hi Amor, I have a newborn and was missing my nighttime reading ritual, but then I got The Lincoln Highway on audiobook. While being up at all hours and sleep deprived, it was the most delightful part of my day (aside from my sweet new baby). The performances are incredible and make your work come to life so vividly! My dad and I love your books, and I hope my daughter will someday love them as well ❤️ Thank you for the dedication you put into your writing.
Incredible work of fiction! Amor Towles, you are truly unmatched. I would love a discussion surrounding Ulysses and Professor Abernathy's culmination. Anyone else?
Yes, agreed!
Mr Towles, I just finished your book a few minutes ago and have already recommended it to my husband and sister-in-law and will be telling friends too. It is truly an epic adventure story with fabulous characters and a carefully-woven story-line that keeps the pages turning. I very much enjoyed your first two novels...and I love the fact that you challenge yourself to "retool almost every element of your craft" by mixing it up with each novel. The ending was perfect; when I closed the book, I thought that you probably had fun writing this book. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with all of us!
Thanks, Mary!
Thanks, Mary! Be sure to register on the Contact page of amortowles.com if you would like occasional news of my writing. Best, AT
Mr. Towles, your writing is an absolute treasure, and weirdly, I always seem to read your work at the worst possible times in my life. I got pulled over for going 10 miles above the speed limit the day I started "A gentlemen in Moscow" (Guy Smith's narration oh how beautiful that novel was), audiobook CD in my car, I read "Rules of civility" while ravaged by Covid at home, and currently reading your latest (i know I know late to the party) in the midst of the greatest disappointment I've faced in my life.
That being said, I'll pick up your next one without one bit of hesitation.
Ishan, I'm sorry about the challenges you have faced; but I'm glad that you have found an escape in my work. Best, AT
Hello, Mr. Towles
I happened to read your book, A gentleman in Moscow, and... you became my favorite author ever since.
Even though your words were translated in Korean, I still could feel how beautiful they were.
I've just finished "Rules of civility" and I loved it(of course.. why not?)
Now I am waiting for your new book, Lincoln Highway.
I pre-ordered it, since it may take pretty long time to read your new book translated in Korean. 😅 I cannot wait that long time.
Thank you for letting me read beautiful stories and hope you keep letting me 👍
Just finished this wonderful book. Immediately sent a copy to five family members and scheduled Zoom bookclub.
Love this novel!
This kind of previous insight about the story is very important for a much more deep understanding of the novel, specially about the details that are capable of making it remarkable, thank you for providing it to us
Thanks, Matheus. I'm glad you found it valuable. Best, AT
Mr. Towles, I just finished the book (one flight plus too long evenings) and I loved it not only for the current stories but also for the connections with characters from Rules of Civility. I'll have to go back to a Gentleman in Moscow to see if there are threads to link across.
Thank you for the meticulous planning and wonderful writing.
You are my favorite author and it’s not close! Lincoln Highway was absolutely fantastic. Congratulations sir
Thank you, Mr. Towles, for expanding the storytelling beyond two points of view. That decision made for compelling reading. The way you crystallize the American historical context into unique detail is also virtuosic, and the scope of the novel situates you in a great American literary tradition. I have just read and enjoyed "Rules of Civility", and its clarity and polish brought New York to brilliant life though I do feel closer to the characters in your third novel than to the protagonist in the first. I look forward to getting lost in your second novel next! Thank you so much.
H.A.H,
Thanks the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY, and I appreciate your taking the time to share your impressions.
(You can register through the Contact page on my web site, if you want occasional news of my work).
Best, Amor
Best everrrrrrr book!!!! I just finished Lincoln Highway!!!!
Amor Towles - you are a gift to society! I just finished reading The Lincoln Highway, and want to start all over and read it again. So Dikensian, with the rich and poor, heros and villians, and all the coincidences and fortuitous meetings. The thought of getting through a 576 page novel was daunting at first, but the book was a page turner, with a MOST satisfying ending. I loved A Gentleman in Moscow which, as has been commented on, gave me sustenance during Covid. If he can live in a hotel for decades, I can isolate in my house for a year or two (or now, going on three.) Thank you, thank you for such a rich and enjoyable read!
Mr. Towles I just finished your book and I loved it. I had big hopes after loving Gentleman in Moscow so much and Lincoln Highway was spectacular. I love the multiple perspectives, each character’s observations on life and the relationships in this story. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world!
Thanks so much, Dorothy.
Thank you so much for another adventure! I look forward to visiting your website, especially to learn more of your practices. It's amazing to me that you are able to capture the zeitgeists of different periods and locations, and make the periods come to life. They are believable settings for the complex characters and situations you create.
As a teen in the 1970's I became submerged in the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and 'Rules of Civility' took me back to that time and place. (I also fell in love with your character Tinker.) As an older teen and at university, I read a lot of Russian novels (in translation), and 'A Gentleman in Moscow' reminded me of those novels. Now I have thoroughly enjoyed bopping back to the 1950's ... although I was born in 1959 in suburban USA, I am familiar with that decade, too. (My parents married in 1954, and I have early memories of the powder-blue and white sedan they owned.)
What is more: as an older reader, I appreciated the moral dilemmas that the characters wrestled with, and admired how you presented and handled them. There were times while I was reading LH that I exclaimed (yes, aloud!), "Oh, no!!!! Don't you dare do that!" I felt angry, but you managed to resolve everything to the satisfaction of my moral standards. Thank you.
Please know that the extended time and effort you put into your novels makes them profoundly fulfilling reading experiences.
I look forward to reading your future novels!
Fascinating book. Very absorbing. Maybe the most curious thing about a book called The Lincoln Highway is that virtually none of it actually takes place on The Lincoln Highway. The narrative is one long unexpected detour.
Just finished reading this book today. Amazing journey, heartbreaking at times, wild at times, adventurous at times, just so great!
I have read all three of your books and loved them equally. I finished The Lincoln Highway last weekend and found myself processing it still the following day. I adore Billy and loved/ liked most of the remaining characters. I found myself hoping for a sequel at first but as I thought more about it, I think my heart was about to be broken, so now that I know about Shroedinger’s cat, thanks to Big Bang Theory, maybe it’s best to leave it at that. I know this isn’t going to make sense to anyone else, but lastly I wanted to say your writing reminds me so much of one of my most beloved authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald . I can’t wait to read your next book, and until it’s ready, I’ll content myself with periodic re-reads of the first three.
I can definitely see a sequel to this because I loved the characters! Moscow and Rules of Civility ended perfectly.
I love the multiple perspectives and also cannot imagine it being told from only two. You tell a great story with amazing characters. You're an auto-buy for me.
I love all your books but The Loncolne Highway has been my favourite so far
Just finished the book tonight and gosh I need a book club to discuss it all!! I really love your writing. Thank you so much for putting your work out in the world for us to enjoy. It’s a delight!
I would love to know what happened with Ulysses and the Professor.
I just finished this book this morning. I really enjoyed it. Thanks man.
Just finished 'A gentleman in Moscow', amazing book! Today I bought 'The Lincoln Highway'. Can't wait to start reading it!
What a blessing to have stumbled onto this video. I’m about midway through The Lincoln Highway, am thoroughly enjoying it, and found Mr. Towles’ description of how he developed the story to add to my enjoyment of the novel.
Thanks, Bob
Okay. I’ll read this new novel. I must say, I became almost addicted to the Gentleman in Moscow. It resonated with so much of my reading and was a joy throughout. It’s a great story, and a book about class, taste, manners, culture shock, love, and humanity (to cut this list short). Amor, if you read this, I express my thanks. Lockdowns and marriage breakdowns are hard, so your book was important to me.
Peter
Dorset UK
Thanks, Peter. I'm glad to know that AGIM was a welcome book during a challenging time. I hope you'll enjoy The Lincoln Highway as well. Best, AT
Started today. Greetings from Brazil🥳
Cannot wait to get lost in this book!
You are an inspiration Mr. Towles, I'm currently in the process of reading A Gentleman in Moscow and I've never felt more motivated to become a writer myself. Your vocabulary and narration style is absolutely perfect in terms of it matching the Count's.
Thanks, Matt! I appreciate the kind words.
Be sure to register at amortowles.com/contact if you want occasional news of my writing. Best, AT
Amor Towles is a class act. Just pre-ordered The Lincoln Highway.
I am looking forward to reading The Lincoln Highway. I absolutely loved A Gentleman in Moscow. When I saw the video of how you write with a detailed plan, it makes one realize how much work goes into writing a novel. As a fan, I appreciate your work immensely.
Hi Amor!
This is Dylan, from Buffalo, NY! I first read A Gentleman in Moscow in Spring of 2020, as the first book I read after being sent home from college going into quarantine. Being under a form of isolation myself then, I took great comfort in the positivity of Count Rostov, and it really did make the days feel much more manageable, so I wanted to tell you how powerful reading that was, at that time for me. After that, I read Rules of Civility the following Winter, and loved it as well. I am SO excited for The Lincoln Highway to come out in a few weeks, and am appreciative of you making background videos like this. Thank you for the poetic storytelling, and keep up the great work!
Dylan, Thanks for kind words. I'm so glad you have enjoyed my work. Visit the Contact page at amortowles.com if you want to be on my list to receive rare news. Best, AT
Mr. Towles, I read this book as soon as it came out, having loved both A Gentleman in Moscow and The Rules if Civility. So, I proposed it to my book club and we are reading it this month. In preparation, I have reread it and like a stew it was even more delicious the second time around. One of the things I love most about your writing is that you plant an idea and it comes to fruition sometime 40-50 pages later making the reader think they are quite clever to have made the connection. You must chuckle yourself at some of your "plants." Billy is such a wonderful character - so wise and yet so much a little boy who worships his big brother. Sally is a true feminist in the most basic sense of the term - the imagined conversation between Jesus and Martha was priceless. The anecdote about the recitation of the Gettysburg Address tells us everything we need to know about who Wooly is. Even small role characters like Wooly's sister and brother in law are drawn finely enough that we feel that we know if we would want to know them better ( yes and no respectively). And Ulysses! What a splendid character you have drawn. I loved him to the core and am certain that he did find his wife and son at the end of the road.
There is such a strong moral fibre that runs through the novel. A strong sense of right and wrong; of justice and mercy. What on the surface might seem like a simple coming of age story is as epic as The Odyssey. Congratulations and thank you.
Thanks, Kate! I appreciate the kind words.
Be sure to register at amortowles.com/contact if you want occasional news of my writing. Best, AT
I have loved all of your work. However, I was stunned by the ending of The Lincoln Highway and wondered why you made that decision …. Just a note …. I thought A Gentleman In Moscow had the best ending ever.
Dear Mr. Towles! First of all thank you for the great reading! I am in the middle of The Lincoln Highway (listening the audio version). Even if the story rolls in 50-s and you are too young to put your personal experience from these times into that book, I think (ask), how much of you is there in it. To write everything from imagination sounds cool, but what I have been thinking is that if I'll write a book some day, I'll probably write it about myself. About what I have gone through so I can put on the pages those feelings I felt. The pain and happiness, boredom and excitement. But I'll never write one. But thankfully you do and we will read or listen and live it through.
Thanks, Avivar
You may be interested in perusing amortowles.com where I have written a variety of posts about my process. Best, AT
Best everrrrrrrr book!!!!!
All my respect sir, I'm about to finish "un gentleman à Moscou" in French, I absolutely love your writing. I bought "les règles du jeu" and I hope you will have your latest book also translated in french soon. Thank you for taking me to another dimension.
Thanks so much. And yes, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY will be translated into French (available about a year from now). Best, AT
Loved the book! I thoroughly enjoyed Rules of Civility and thought this one was as good if not better. Now I have to pick up A Gentleman in Moscow.
Thank you for this wonderful book! Both my wife Simone and I enjoyed the read very much. (We live in Germany but read the English version, so we cannot say anything about how good the translation into German actually is.) - The Lincoln Highway was the first of your books we read, but now we are going to read your previous ones for sure. - We would like to ask three questions, if you don't mind. Firstly, we have slight doubts about how realistic the long planned suicide of such young a person as Woolly really is. Why do you think such a tragedy is a credible ending? Secondly, you mentioned that in the first place you intended to write the novel from just two perspectives (Duchess' and Emmett's). The published version of The Lincoln Highway is seen through the eyes of two people "speaking" in the first person, namely Duchess and Sally. Why are their's the only chapters in the first person? And finally, for what reason is Dennis mostly referred to as "Dennis"? - Many thanks and best regards from Potsdam, Germany.
I truly enjoy your books very
much… just finished your last one… could not put it down!!
Would you know if The Gentlemen in Moscow was
translated in Slovak?
When I got to chapter 10 in this book, I went out and bought everything you've written because your writing style is amazing. Usually I will skip paragraphs in a novel that are too descriptive or boring - but in this book, I read every single word. Absorbed it all. From the introduction the the conclusion, this book is masterfully written. And I'm recommending it to everyone I know. I only have one question - why is "Dennis" in quotations?lol. Looking forward to reading the other novels now and rereading this novel again in the future!
I think "Dennis" is in quotations to emphasize the disgust that Woolly feels for him. Kind of to say it in an icy way.
I finished reading The Lincoln Highway last night and enjoyed the time period (I was about Billy’s age in 1954) as well as the rollicking adventure although my heart is still dealing with the stunning, although probably inevitable ending. I’d be interested in your or another commenter’s input re the chapters counting down, an interesting quirk.
I can’t believe I’m still commenting on this 5-month-old video 🤷♀️ Completely by chance the book I picked up to read right after TLH is Olga Grushin’s The Charmed Wife, an inspired and creative interpretation of Cinderella. Oddly, it starts near the end and finishes up at The Beginning.
I am thoroughly involved in the book. Billy has just become acquainted with Ulysses.
Only one tiny quibble: Duchess at HoJo has polished off his “sunny side ups”, shouldn’t it be “sunny sides up”?
(Insert smirk avatar here)
قرات روايتك جنتلمان في موسكو منذ ثلاث سنوات وللان انتظر اي كتاب او رواية لك مترجمة
If you were married to a Latina how would you know when she called you Mi amor, or Amor. Since it means Love in English
“In medias res” is age 40
Thank you so much, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all 3 novels and look forward to the LH movie.
In Quran: the Final Testament, God tells us 40: The Age of Decision*
[Quran 46:15] We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him arduously, gave birth to him arduously, and took intimate care of him for thirty months. When he reaches maturity, and reaches the age of forty,* he should say, "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter."
Great narrative. Disappointing ending.
I feel the same way about your post!