Publisher: Viking Books / Penguin Audio
Published: October 5, 2021
Source: Print – Personal copy via BOTM / Audio – Personal copy via Libro.fm
Summary:
The bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility and master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a stylish and propulsive novel set in 1950s America
In June, 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the work farm where he has just served a year for involuntary manslaughter. His mother long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett’s intention is 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 work farm have hidden themselves in the trunk of the warden’s car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett’s future.
Spanning just ten days and told from multiple points of view, Towles’s third novel will satisfy fans of his multi-layered literary styling while providing them an array of new and richly imagined settings, characters, and themes.
My thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve read by Amor Towles and I read it because it’s one of this month’s #mommaleighellensbookclub picks. It’s a beautifully written, character-driven story and I think you really need to know that last bit going in. This is not a fast-moving book at all and having the right expectations will make all the difference.
This book is long, and at times, it feels like it meanders a bit, but I have to say that I completely fell in love with the characters and that is what made me stick with the story. They were so dynamic and flawed and even though this book only spans a period of ten days, these characters have such an extraordinary journey that they become quite unforgettable. There were times while reading this that I was reminded of William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land, which I absolutely loved – the whole feeling of a band of misfits trying to get from one place to another.
There are times this story deviates from its destination, much like the brother’s journey deviated from their original plan, but in the end, it is a story that winds its way into your heart so much so that you become attached to the characters. There are many poignant, funny and shocking moments along the way, and a few heartbreaking ones, too. But in the end, it is quite the original story and one that I’m glad I picked up.
This is definitely a great book club pick as there is much to unpack and I’m looking forward to our discussion. I also plan on checking out this author’s other books because I have a feeling since I liked this one, I might enjoy the others, too.
Audio thoughts:
I ended up listening to this once I saw that Edoardo Ballerini was one of the narrators. He’s one of my favorites and between him, Marin Ireland and Dion Graham, I was captivated by this story. I think, because of the length, audio might be the way to go, at least it was for me, because it didn’t seem as long. Each of the narrators really did a fantastic job bringing this story to life and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
