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alyssahugs's review against another edition
5.0
Can’t help but love all of the characters. Billy and Wooly the most.
Emmett seemed to just primarily be the vehicle (pun intended?) through which the real story was told. But crucial all the same.
I found Duchess to be like many misguided people - unable to take any real accountability and therefore dooming himself to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Seeing the world and the adventure through Billy’s eyes helped bring a fresh and wonderful perspective. It reminds the reader of the the inner child that we all need to help keep us moving along in the right direction instead of getting bogged down by all the adult stuff all the time. And he reminds us over and over that we are all just “in medias res”.
But Wooly… Wooly has my heart. Living in a world that just doesn’t quite make sense to him no matter how hard he tries. His journey touched my heart the most.
Emmett seemed to just primarily be the vehicle (pun intended?) through which the real story was told. But crucial all the same.
I found Duchess to be like many misguided people - unable to take any real accountability and therefore dooming himself to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Seeing the world and the adventure through Billy’s eyes helped bring a fresh and wonderful perspective. It reminds the reader of the the inner child that we all need to help keep us moving along in the right direction instead of getting bogged down by all the adult stuff all the time. And he reminds us over and over that we are all just “in medias res”.
But Wooly… Wooly has my heart. Living in a world that just doesn’t quite make sense to him no matter how hard he tries. His journey touched my heart the most.
mommaslonglegs's review against another edition
5.0
This modern day epic follows the story of Emmitt and Billy Watson. Two brothers bound for California on the the Lincoln Highway to find their mother. However, they hardly make it to the highway before they find themselves on an entirely different adventure.
Would recommend this read I get what the hype is about, but I think it's helpful to look at it as a collection of short stories about unique characters that contribute to an overall plot. In truth, this book is hardly about the Watson brothers at all.
Considering it's 600 pages it went remarkably quick. Actually would probably have given it five stars if I'd gotten another 50-100 pages.
Would recommend this read I get what the hype is about, but I think it's helpful to look at it as a collection of short stories about unique characters that contribute to an overall plot. In truth, this book is hardly about the Watson brothers at all.
Considering it's 600 pages it went remarkably quick. Actually would probably have given it five stars if I'd gotten another 50-100 pages.
akappel32's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
4.4 stars. That ending hit me like a railroad train. This is a story of multiple characters on a single journey, but at the heart it’s about two characters who parallel each other. Two different upbringings. Two different approaches to life and morals. Two very different endings to their story. This novel starts out as a fun adventure, but slowly unfolds into so much more the farther you dive in.
lgalgano32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kellylover86's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book but wish there had been a bit more to the ending. This is the story of a young man, his little brother, and his friends working their way across the country in search of money and new beginnings. Set in 1950 America, it feels like a novel nostalgic for that time with a few nods to modern sensibilities.
owenhoover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amor towles is a fantastic writer who is only surpassed by his own characters. If you see his name on the cover, read the book.
klankey's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pkc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanderlustcrew's review against another edition
4.0
It’s always tough going into books that are so highly rated and recommended. The writing is beautiful, No doubt. His style is flawless. I kept waiting for the story to get somewhere. I felt like it was just reading about teenagers making dumb decisions over and over again. The one main female character in the book is super lame. Basically all the women are awful in the book. Some good characters overall but plot was lacking for me. I enjoyed the philosophy thrown in. Ending gets a thumbs down for me. Story gets 3 stars but I added an extra star for the lovely writing. I feel like Amor could write my nightmares and make them seem lovely.
servaneldp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide