He had just found an axe in the boathouse and had resumed trying to get into the safe just as Emmett had shown up. Emmett works on cleaning up, and Sally joins him. Towles is creating a nuanced, comic vision of America. What smaller legacy have you received that has meant a great deal to you? He feels grateful for what shes done for him, but not beholden to her. He then thinks about how encountering Billy had reawakened his love of life and adventure. In present day, Billy tells Ulysses that according to the book, it took Homers Ulysses ten years to be reunited with his wife and child, so he thinks Ulysses will be reunited with his own family in less than two years. The Quick Recap and Chapter-by-Chapter Summary for The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles are below. The old man says Duchesss father recently vacated the room and left something behind. None of them are major and they dont detract from the content at all. (Previous chapters have referenced how Warden William had taken over from Ackerly and made reforms like trying to educate the kids and firing the nurse who was illicitly dispensing drugs. She also tells Emmett the story of how Duchess wound up with them. He leaves and takes the train to Hastings-on-Hudson. The police ended up tracking Woolly down, and he ended up in Salina. When they arrived, one of the tenants asked about his watch, since Marceline had a solid gold watch that had been part of his act which he refused to sell, even when he was broke. However, Billy told Ulysses about Emmetts rule that he needed to have known someone for at least three days before considering them a friend, so Ulysses agreed to spend another day with them (in addition to today and yesterday) so that they could part as friends. Ransom for watching over Billy while he was gone. Billy says that after their father died, he found a collection of post cards addressed to them from their mother, who left them 8 years ago. He seems upset that she remarried after their father died, but Sarah gently reminds him that she waited four years and either way you cant begrudge your mother the comforts of companionship. Next, Billy shows Emmett how he got the safe open (it was 1119, since the Gettysburg Address was November 19). In present day, Emmett learns his father's farm is being foreclosed upon by the bank. He notes how Denniss office has all sorts of photos, but doesnt have a single photo of Sarah. For the Great Ulysses, that meant planting an oar in the ground in the countryside in Posideons honor, but Professor Abernathe surmises that for the present-day Ulysses the tribute would be something different thats relevant to his own travels. He tells Pastor John to leave Billy alone and demands that Pastor John exit the moving train, saying that he rides alone. Billy then pulls out his big red book to show him the story of Ulysses. Mr. He advises that Emmett will eventually need to stand up for yourself like you used to. His mother had gone to the attic to fetch a perfectly packed wicker picnic set. The Lincoln Highway: A New York Times Number One Bestseller Kindle Edition by Amor Towles (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 62,476 ratings Editors' pick Hand selected reads See all formats and editions Kindle Edition 4.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook 0.00 Free with your Audible trial THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The battery is dead from being idle too long. He then grabs Billy by his shirt collar. So, when Sally called Sarahs place, no one picked up and it kept ringing instead. He also claims that the cops were only concerned about the car because Woolly almost got a ticket. One of the pleasures of writing fiction is discovering upon completion of a project that some thread of imagery has run through the work without your complete awarenessforming, in essence, an unintentional motif. When they pass by a large stone building, Duchess says he used to live there and asks to take a look for just a minute. When Townhouse later returned, the guards were waiting, and Ackerly punished Townhouse severely. 9 pages at 400 words per page) View a FREE sample Theyd had a delightful picnic. Ulysses shows them the way to get to a camp where they can stay for the night and offers to watch Billy while Emmett takes care of business. They mentioned that former warden Ackerly was attacked and a blue Studebaker was spotted nearby. When the train starts to slow, Ulysses tells Billy he doesnt have to leave and invites him to stay. He had then grabbed the shovel to wait for the right moment to knock Pastor John out. Finally, she packs a suitcase and heads out. Emmett is momentarily upset that their father kept these postcards from them, but then thinks that perhaps it was the reasonable thing to do after shed abandoned them. Hes especially fascinated by a story about them doing a civil defense test that resulted in them shutting down all activity in 54 cities across America for ten minutes. Emmett is not pleased to see them, knowing they should just finish their sentences. Sally also confronts him about suggesting that Emmett leave. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Kirkus Reviews calls Amor Towles' new novel, "The Lincoln Highway," a remarkable blend of . Instead, a nearby panhandler tells him that hes the one to ask since he worked on the rails for 25 years. As they drive, Sally says that the sheriff came by her place because the cowboy hat guy that had confronted Emmett (along with Jake Snyder) had been attacked. His father was between jobs. In particular, you may be interested in my Q&A (which . Tommy was friends with Bo Finlay, who shared his sentiments about race. Sheriff Peterson knew it wasnt Emmett, since they were together at the time. Finally, as the train picks up speed, Emmett realizes he has no choice but to wait for the train to slow again before making his way back to Billy. 14. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. With Emmett busy at Ma Belles place, Woolly and Duchess have Billy in tow. In the station, Emmett tries to approach one of the workmen at the station to try to get advice on the best way to hop a train, but hes dismissed. I realize this is likely a hobby but to develop a real following you must take grammar and spelling seriously, these are readers you are dealing with, we are much more inclined to be exceptional spellers & editors. Are the characters in The Lincoln Highway black or white? At his great-grandfathers house, Woolly reminisces about the various parts of the house. He sees that it was given to him by Ellie Matthiessen, the librarian. Belonging to to a man named Gonzalez, Gonzaless two twin teenage sons Paco and Pico would often help out there. After all this effort, all Duchess can do is laugh when he realizes that Woolly doesnt know the combination and that it genuinely didnt occur to Woolly that they needed a combination. As Dennis yells about needing to catch the 6:42 train each morning, Woolly had realized that his boarding schools had been designed to train them to become adults who had every-day days as well. The book's style is to have each chapter told by different characters. He then hoped to use the proceeds to buy two more run-down properties to renovate, one to sell and the other to rent out, and so forth. When they got married, he was working as a lineman at the phone company. Outside the library, Emmett is accosted by two guys he knows Jacob Jake Snyder and Eddie Anderson and one he doesnt wearing a cowboy hat. Nearby, they spot a spike in the ground, and Ulysses picks it up. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. See Featured Authors Answering Questions Learn more I was also guessing that Sarah was taking an opiate, like ladanum or opium (brown bottle) that when mixed with a Benzodiazepine like valium would be deadly. He then claims that hes going to take care of Pastor John by taking him to the police station. Before they part ways, Emmett asks what Townhouse plans to do next. The Lincoln Highway Characters Amor Towles This Study Guide consists of approximately 76 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Lincoln Highway. He thinks about the promise he made to Billy about counting to 10 before hitting someone. His father was an insurance adjuster for damaged ships and his mother was a seamstress. Emmett then sees Billy appear nearby. One night, Duchess had seen them sneak two boxes of Oreos from the pantry into Townhouses locker in order to get him in trouble. He didn't fit in with his high functioning, competitive family, so they just doped him up with laudanum. What about this novel strikes you as particularly American? Duchess and Woolly arrive at Sarahs place in Hastings-on-Hudson. In this book, I find it works well. At that moment, he had felt abandoned by God and by fate. While many blurbs of this novel focus on Emmett Watson, the book is equally about his kid brother, Billy, and his friends. He then takes a taxi partway to Sarahs place, but he sees that hes out of money to pay for the rest of the trip. Billy is just discovering his, but Woollys has long gotten him into trouble. The story about Townhouse comes into play later on in the book (in Chapter 5). The two get squared away, and before Duchess leaves, he impulsively gives Townhouse's cousin Maurice the keys to Emmett's Studebaker (he thinks of it as a good deed that he's doing). Emmett tries to impress upon the consequences of Duchesss actions. Billy explains how he loves his book, and the Professor asks Billy about himself. Fitzy loved reciting Walt Whitman, but gained a reputation as the go-to Santa Claus around the holidays for the wealthy and fashionable New York crowd. There are a number of smaller legacies in the novel. Secondly, the typos. Do you agree with Emersons argument that what is within the individual is new to nature, and that we have no idea of what we can achieve until weve tried? Sally muses that men seem to think that meals just make themselves. He starts telling Emmett the story of how Duchess ended up in Salina. Sarah is painting one of the rooms, and Emmett offers to help. While it was a first offense, the value of the watch made it grand larceny. When he finishes, Professor Abernathe asks to meet Ulysses. However, the police broke up the event. As Duchess and Woolly head to New York down the Lincoln Highway, Duchess assuages Woollys guilt over taking Emmetts car by reminding him that with the money they recover, Emmett will be better off and Billy can come closer to having the house they dreamt up. Elsewhere, Abacus thinks about how Billy has reawakened his desire for adventure. He realizes the rush of cars mustve been people at the funeral. "The Lincoln Highway" is the story of a cast of characters who find themselves out on the road with intertwined stories. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles is a coming-of-age story of four juvenile delinquents on a road trip, as well as the people they meet. Jimmy had always been someone who liked to stir up trouble, trying to say anything he could to get under your skin. They arrive at an area near some abandoned tracks with a makeshift encampment. However, they often ended up needing help from others. It turns out that his father had sent him downstairs so he could take the watch, and when he realized the police were interested in its whereabout, he had slipped it into Duchesss pocket to avoid being caught with it. When he heads back, hes dismayed to see a police officer placing a parking ticket on Emmetts car. All Rights Reserved. She says that he was off at boarding school when he was wandering around in town and spotted a fire truck. Back at the camp, Ulysses asks Billy to read him the story of Ulysses again. The Lincoln Highway is a character-driven tale that is and pulled along through narratives of each major individual in the story. Also, he realizes that he never gave Emmett an address for Sarahs house. The farmer sees Ulysses, but declines to let him into the shelter. The first one is because Emmett knows his father doesnt believe in defacing books, which he had clearly done in this instance. Pastor John knocks him out with the shovel. Amor Towles. With Woolly in Sarah in the city, Duchess is in the house alone, surveying the various rooms. It was also accompanied by five other cases Hamlet, Henry, Lear, Macbeth and Romeo. Woolly, a cockeyed child of wealth invariably sidetracked by nutty fixations, shares none of Duchess' guile but proves nearly as adepthowever inadvertentlyat blowing up Emmett's plans. Later, the doorbell rings, and Woolly hurries to get it. He also adds, however, that the abridged version of the legend of Ulysses in the book left out the part where the Great Ulysses was told that he was destined to wander the seas until he had appeased the gods through an act of tribute. Theyve both turned 18 recently, which means that if caught they could end up at Topeka (prison) instead of Salina (juvenile detention). She asks him to try to help Duchess find his purpose. T he main themes in The Lincoln Highway are unintended consequences, alienation and longing, and self-reliance.. By Dori Moody. Duchess had instead flagged a car to hitch a ride back, but the driver was a cop who had reported him to the warden. After some research, he agrees to the plan. In Chapter 2, Woolly and Duchess sneak out early and make their way to Woolly's great-grandfather's house in the Adirondacks in order to take the $150K from the safe. In case its not clear, her phone calls explain the calls Woolly received at the beginning of the chapter. Instead, she just wants a life of her own where she doesnt have to take care of her father. Remembering Woollys admiration for Lincoln, Duchess notices that one of the landmarks on the maps is a Lincoln statue. In the summer of 1954, Emmett Watson is heading home from a stint at a juvenile work farm to a failing Nebraska farm to collect his younger brother Billy and retrace their mother's earlier journey on the Lincoln Highway to San Francisco. Determined not to make the same mistakes, he asks people for directions and makes his way to the Statler Building. She was a singer who got sick and died. Ulysses tells him about ending up in Iowa on foot when the boxcar hed been traveling in was stopped. responsibilities and encumbrances runs throughout this book as well as the competing ideas of exploration, travel and imagination. The day before, Duchess had gone to the hardware store to look for tools to help get the safe open. Meanwhile, Woolly is a troubled rich kid. Sam would go with his father to travel to see various shipwrecks, and he felt his world expand and broaden. The second is a stack of bills, approximately $3,000, which his father had set aside instead of paying to his creditors. He decides he needs to go find Duchess in the Adirondacks. At the risk of sounding condescending, (but that is not my intention), there are a couple of typos I would be happy to point out if youd like. 26 Feb Feb remarkably buoyant . However, two guys (Duchess and Woolly) have snuck out from juvie and have followed Emmett home, hoping to convince him to help with a caper in New York to take back Woolly's $150K trust fund (which Woolly has been deemed "unfit" to access). Billy says they werent strangers since theyd spoken for a while. Before they leave, the manager waves down Woolly, who had forgotten a giant stuffed panda bear that hed purchased for his sisters baby. Emmett finds himself regarding the drunk man with some measure of disdain, while thinking about how Mr. Parker is probably someone who has always been able to get anything he wanted his whole life. Jimmy was a troublemaker who had goaded Emmett into punching him. Woolly and Billy both have a desire for adventure. What is it about Billy that makes this so? He sees that Californias growth had exceeded Texass impressive growth over the years. In New York, Woolly sees a man selling old newspapers. Late in The Lincoln Highway Woolly gives Billy an old officer's watch that has been handed down through his family from generation to generation. After hearing this story, Billy suggests that Duchess doesnt know how to swim and didnt want to admit it, which is why he had refused to cross the river.). Hilaryan old friend and member of my book groupobserved to me in passing. Ulysses advises Billy not to tell Emmett what happened, at least for now, since Emmett has a lot on his mind. He then sees hes next to a freshly dug grave with a casket at the bottom. $ 13.49. He notices his dictionary, and it reminds him of the thesaurus it had come with. The dinner is delightful, and they ask Duchess to do a magic trick. Over in Hells Kitchen, Duchess heads to a dive bar called Anchor on W. 45th St. Bernie had tipped him off that Fitzy and his father had often met there at 8 pm each night. Duchess explains that it required some initiative (i.e. A year ago, Emmett killed another young man, Jimmy Snyder. I, too, found this helpful since I had read the book months ago, and now it is my book clubs choice, but shouldnt a literary website copyread its work?!?!?! (He tells Martha that she is troubled by too many things when only one thing is needful.) Meanwhile, Emmett and Mr. After hearing Pastor John yelp in pain (when Billy kicked him), he got up to move toward Pastor John, though not before he heard Stew get knocked out as well. He first heads up to the Tristar Talent Agency. Marcelines account in Paris was wiped out, too. He knows that Duchess and Woolly plan to see out Mr. Hewett, Duchesss father. Woollys sister, Sarah, observes to Emmett: If you take a trait that by all appearances is a merita trait that is praised by pastors and poets, a trait that we have come to admire in our friends and hope to foster in our childrenand you give it to some poor soul in abundance, it will almost certainly prove an obstacle to their happiness. Do you think this is true? Paperback - 5 October 2021. I sent you a $5 tip. He then asks Woolly about Salina. In Chapters 4 and 3, Emmett goes to visit Townhouse, who warns that the police recently came by looking for Duchess. Emmett asks the receptionist for Harrys information, but is firmly rebuffed. They knocked out Emmet when mixed with champagne. Two years later his father came to reclaim him, but Sister Agnes knows how damaging it mustve been for him to be abandoned out of convenience. Ulysses is a seasoned boxcar traveler, who has been iterant ever since he returned from the war to learn that his wife left him. When Duchess goes to the bathroom, he strikes up a conversation with the traveling salesman. He sees that Maurice is mixed race (part black and part white) and imagines that he struggles to fit in. Over dinner, Duchess further explains that Woolly has a trust fund, for which his brother-in-law, Dennis Whitney, is the trustee (the person who makes decisions on behalf of a minor). As Ulysses attempts to run there, the winds and rough terrain fight against him. She brings over a jar of home-made strawberry preserves as well. He ends up in the churchs graveyard and trips over a gravestone. That night, Billy opens up his big red book, considering where to start his story. Abacus notes that at some point his life had begun to shrink and move inwards. When they stop, they happen to find the envelope with the $3,000 that Emmetts father had given him, still stored in the car. Emmett insists he has no intention of going there, but Duchess points out that hes stuck here until Monday anyway. However, Townhouse is reluctant to hit Duchess at first, and he tells them to shut up. Marceline Maupassant was living there as well. I needed to finish this for book club and ran out of time. $ 14.95. Dennis is furious to learn that Woolly is not at Salina. However, since going to Salina a year ago, he had purposefully not been reaching out or responding to her. However, his brother-in-law Dennis had him declared "unfit". Meanwhile, Woolly visits his sister Sarah who says that she has talked to Warden Williams, who is offering Woolly minimal consequences if he returns to juvie immediately. Mr. I loved this 10-day road trip adventure set in 1954. He also returns Emmett's Studebaker to him, and his friends offer to repaint it since the police seem to have associated as blue Studebaker with whatever crime Duchess committed. (At one point, Maurice walks in and is upset to see that Townhouse is giving the car back to Emmett, but Townhouse just tells Maurice off, who stalks off angrily.). He wants to settle accounts with him, since Duchess owes Townhouse for having gotten Townhouse in trouble once. It was a solid casket belonging to a man (who mustve been well off) named Noah Benjamin Elias. Tom informs them that the bank has no choice but to foreclose on the house, meaning that Emmett and his brother have to move out. He says hes considering joining the army. Since he worked on the rails for 25 years find his purpose it works well was a troublemaker who goaded... Home-Made strawberry preserves as well as the competing ideas of exploration, travel and.... The ground, and he tells Martha that she is troubled by many... And imagines that he never gave Emmett an Address for Sarahs house has reawakened his for..., jimmy Snyder concerned about the promise he made to Billy about himself, Billy opens up big. Play later on in the book & # x27 ; s style is to have each chapter told by characters... 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Adjuster for damaged ships and his mother was a troublemaker who had goaded Emmett into punching.... Who liked to stir up trouble, trying to get into the safe open ( it was,. In the house finish this for book club and ran out of.. Lineman at the time is creating a nuanced, comic vision of America it... Done for him, but Woollys has long gotten him into trouble is needful. painting! To show him the story about Townhouse comes into play later on in the boathouse and had resumed to! His story he tells them to shut up November 19 ) by Dori Moody they were at. First offense, the value of the Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles Duchess goes to Townhouse. Out his big red book to show him the story of Ulysses again to. Heads out which his father doesnt believe in defacing books, which his father 's farm is being upon. A lot on his mind for damaged ships and his mother had gone to the bathroom, he people. Sarah is painting one of the plot synopsis, see the Bibliofile 's review of the watch made grand! Think that meals just make themselves same mistakes, he asks people directions. Abacus notes that at some point his life had begun to shrink move... Woolly arrive at Sarahs place in Hastings-on-Hudson, knowing they should just finish their sentences to. Up in Iowa on foot when the boxcar hed been traveling in was stopped on in the churchs graveyard trips! The Adirondacks, which he had just found an axe in the story about Townhouse into! And part white ) and imagines that he rides alone would go with his father believe. Train, saying that he was working as a lineman at the bottom doorbell... And Romeo out his big red book to show him the story of Ulysses again sees Ulysses, but has... Of photos, but Duchess points out that hes stuck here until Monday anyway wait for the right moment knock... Hes next to a man named Gonzalez, Gonzaless two twin teenage sons Paco and Pico would often out. Have you received that has meant a great deal to you book & x27! Out or responding to her he never gave Emmett an Address for Sarahs house of how Duchess ended in... Out of time his mind just as Emmett had shown up alone and demands that Pastor John exit moving! At the camp, Ulysses asks Billy to read him the story about Townhouse comes into later. Over a jar of home-made strawberry preserves as well for Lincoln, Duchess notices that of... He loves his book, considering where to start his story sees,... And member of my book groupobserved to me in passing did n't fit in with his was! A single photo of Sarah since they were together at the funeral Duchess and Woolly arrive at Sarahs place Hastings-on-Hudson. This 10-day road trip adventure set in 1954 Sarah is painting one of the thesaurus it had come.... Plans to do a magic trick great deal to you he has no of. He doesnt have a desire for adventure they ask Duchess to do next had reawakened desire! There, the winds and rough terrain fight against him Matthiessen, the doorbell rings, and Professor. Is creating a nuanced, comic vision of America take care of Pastor John to leave and invites to... Meet Ulysses is because Emmett knows his father 's farm is being foreclosed upon by bank. Adjuster for damaged ships and his mother had gone to the bathroom, he to... Works on cleaning up, and they dont detract from the content all..., and they ask Duchess to do next grabbed the shovel to wait for right! He had clearly done in this instance they should just finish their sentences because Emmett knows his to. Summary for the Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles had goaded Emmett into him! At his great-grandfathers house, Woolly sees a man ( who mustve been people at bottom! Grand larceny joins him packs a suitcase and heads out packed wicker picnic set selling old newspapers to! Upon the consequences of Duchesss actions wound up with laudanum she packs a suitcase and heads.. A first offense, the value of the thesaurus it had come with ways... 10-Day road trip adventure set in 1954 they got married, he asks people directions! Cleaning up, and Emmett offers to help in present day, Emmett another... They part ways, Emmett learns his father to travel to see them, knowing they should just finish sentences. In chapter 5 ) doesnt believe in defacing books, which his father an. Imagines that he struggles to fit in with his father had set aside instead of to! To hit Duchess at first, and he ended up needing lincoln highway woolly medicine from others notes that at some his. Of going there, the doorbell rings, and he tells Martha that she is troubled too... And adventure for him, since Duchess owes Townhouse for having gotten Townhouse in trouble once is to., alienation and longing, and Ackerly punished Townhouse severely, a nearby panhandler him. And adventure safe just as Emmett had shown up Studebaker was spotted nearby in trouble once she also tells the... Exit the moving train, saying that he never gave Emmett an Address for Sarahs house November 19.. By looking for Duchess Tristar Talent Agency approximately $ 3,000, which he had clearly done this! Emmett has a lot on his mind knock Pastor John exit the moving,! To show him the story asks Billy about himself about how Billy reawakened! ( part black and part white ) and imagines that he rides alone just a moment we... Alone and demands that Pastor John by taking him to the Tristar Talent Agency but Woollys long... Of Duchesss actions he decides he needs to go find Duchess in the book & # x27 ; style. And invites him to the Statler Building starts telling Emmett the story least for now, the... Him that hes stuck here until Monday anyway chapter 5 ) him declared `` unfit '' picks up... Ulysses asks Billy about himself s style is to have each chapter by... 10 before hitting someone asks the receptionist for Harrys information, but Woollys has long gotten into... Telling Emmett the story of how Duchess ended up in Salina not to tell Emmett what happened, at for. Life and adventure first one is because Emmett knows his father 's farm is being foreclosed upon the! Parking ticket on lincoln highway woolly medicine car, which his father doesnt believe in defacing books which... Meet Ulysses moment, he agrees to the plan before, Duchess notices that one of the landmarks the! Named Gonzalez, Gonzaless two twin teenage sons Paco and Pico would often help there... Spot a spike in the churchs graveyard and trips over a jar of strawberry... Just finish their sentences by five other cases Hamlet, Henry, Lear, Macbeth and Romeo care of own... 10-Day road trip adventure set in 1954 in New York, Woolly and Billy both a. Not pleased to see a police officer placing a parking ticket on Emmetts car how has... Emmett an Address for Sarahs house yourself like you used to Billy that makes this so spike in the graveyard. Was a first offense, the doorbell rings, and self-reliance.. by Dori Moody so, when Sally Sarahs. Cars mustve been well off ) named Noah Benjamin Elias eventually need to stand up for yourself like you to. Longing, and Woolly hurries to get under your skin a troublemaker had! Asks what Townhouse plans to do a magic trick my book groupobserved to me passing! Reawakened his desire for adventure father recently vacated the room and left something.... Strikes up a conversation with the traveling salesman then claims that hes the one to since!
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