Jenniferreads

by Amor Towles

Historical Fiction | 4⭐️ | 10/5/21 | Viking

Emmet, an eighteen year old Nebraskan farm boy, has just been released from a boys home and is retuning home for his fathers funeral. Now parent-less, he is not responsible for his 8 year old brother, Billy. They decide to start over in San Francisco, but when two of Emmet’s bunkmate’s show up unexpectedly, the two brothers are swept into a cross country journey they were not expecting.

Amor Towles transports you to 1954 America on a road trip of discovery, redemption and adventure. Told through multiple points of view, Towles manages to capture each character’s voice wonderfully. I loved the sense of place that Towles has been able to achieve in the narrative. While I have not found anything to confirm this, the book seems to be inspired by Odysseus journey home after the Trojan war. similar themes such as appearance versus reality, vengeance, spiritual growth, and even hospitality are included.

As with the Odyssey, this is a sweeping story that at times can get unwieldy. Some plot lines could have been woven tighter or resolved. But the overall story and characters shines through. Overall, a great escapist story that explores the bonds on friendship and family, the weight of choices, and the hope for a better future.