hardcover, 416 pages
Published Oct. 5, 2021 by Viking.
A road trip novel where the desire for a fresh start gets hijacked by lost boys with wild schemes. Fairly enjoyable. Tragicomic.
If you like Salinger or Steinbeck but want something a touch more modern, hit this up. I read this because it was on Obama’s list.
My cousin recommended this book to me and loaned me her copy. I enjoyed following the adventures and challenges of the young brothers as they try to find their mother who abandoned them years before.
Great characters. Love this author's prose style.
Follow our heroes...in media res. Billy's reflection on whether he's reached the middle of the story.
And real tragedy as we see these characters' fatal flaws and "heroes journey."
I am VERY sad to say that this novel is not on par with either of Amor Towles' two earlier books. There's nothing really hugely wrong about this book. It is simply less interesting, less well written and offers less interesting characters, plot, and room for reader empathy.
Less overtly racist and sexist than Rules of Civility, but still a boring nothing compendium of nostalgia for a world where only white men are real people. Life is too short to read this.
