HomeLiterary FictionThe Lincoln Highway

Cover of The Lincoln Highway

Literary Fiction · 2021 · PG

The Lincoln Highway

by Amor Towles

In 1954, an eighteen-year-old leaving reform school discovers his fellow escapees have rerouted his life — and an adventure across America begins.

"In June 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the working farm where he has just served a year for involuntary manslaughter. His mother is long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett intends to pick up his eight-year-old brother and head west where they can start their lives anew. But when the warden drives away, Emmett discovers that two friends from the working farm have hidden in the trunk of the warden's car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett's future. Spannin

For10+GenreLiterary FictionLength576 pagesRead time~16 hours

This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →

Content snapshot

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What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.

Violence

Some

Period violence including confrontations; not graphically depicted

Language

Barely any

Mild language appropriate for the 1950s setting and adult fiction

Sexual Content

Barely any

Brief adult references

Substance Use

Barely any

Period drinking in the road trip setting

Emotional Intensity

Barely any

Themes of freedom, family, and the America you find when you set out to find yourself

What this book is about

Amor Towles' third novel is an American adventure story full of character and heart. Violence is period appropriate. Brief adult content. Appropriate for older teens and adults.

Notes for sensitive readers

Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.

Period violence

Road trip adventure

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