The novel by Richard Yates, first published in 1962, remains relevant even today (in 2012 that is). It's very well-written, and parts of it seem so real, so authentic. Let me just start by saying that part of the theme of the book is about 'non-conformity' and not fitting in with others of your own class. The book is about a (married)couple, in the most basic sense, their beginnings and the path leading up to the end. But they're not a normal couple, oh no, they're thinkers(at least they fancy themselves to be intellectuals), dissatisfied with their drab everyday lives.
Richard Yates says of the book, "an indictment of American life in the 1950s. Because during the Fifties there was a general lust for conformity all over this country, by no means only in the suburbs — a kind of blind, desperate clinging to safety and security at any price."
Is it gone? The lust for conformity, that is? I do think it has, in many ways. But then, the novel is also about a father and mother that never wanted to be parents(especially the mother), a wife who isn't sure if she loves her husband anymore, and also adults that have had issues with their own parents, and how that affects them. April never spent much time with any of her parents, and Frank's Dad is a perfectionist of a sort, who was never happy with his son.
What does a couple do when they're dissatisfied in life? April tries many a times to convince her husband to pack and leave for France, where they can think of a new future for their family, but Frank is hesitant. April and Frank Wheeler have the habits of a couple that has been together so long that they know how to win fights against each other, how to put each other down, each other's foibles and strengths.
So they're stuck in a rut, and their plan to leave for Paris, which might have been the boon they were waiting for, crumbles when April announces she's pregnant. She considers abortion, but Frank won't have it, oh no this is just the chance he'e been waiting for because after all in the end of all things, Frank is a coward.
As John says, April is the one that wears the pants in the family. John is my favourite character in the book by the way, half-insane & entire intelligent.
In the October 1999 issue of the Boston Review, Yates was quoted on his central theme: "If my work has a theme, I suspect it is a simple one: that most human beings are inescapably alone, and therein lies their tragedy."
Yates is very good at writing dialogues, and his characters seem uncannily honest, their emotions reach you off the page, and you can't help but extend sympathy for them. The ending is perfect too, although I'm sure many people won't feel that way.
Emotional. Powerful.
The Wheelers on Revolutionary Road, the Revolutionaries on Wheeler Road?, I get them all mixed up in my head.
A wonderful book, a MUST-READ. This is one of the greats.
Stay weird, people. Fuck normalcy. Stay weird.
Cheers
Richard Yates says of the book, "an indictment of American life in the 1950s. Because during the Fifties there was a general lust for conformity all over this country, by no means only in the suburbs — a kind of blind, desperate clinging to safety and security at any price."
Is it gone? The lust for conformity, that is? I do think it has, in many ways. But then, the novel is also about a father and mother that never wanted to be parents(especially the mother), a wife who isn't sure if she loves her husband anymore, and also adults that have had issues with their own parents, and how that affects them. April never spent much time with any of her parents, and Frank's Dad is a perfectionist of a sort, who was never happy with his son.
What does a couple do when they're dissatisfied in life? April tries many a times to convince her husband to pack and leave for France, where they can think of a new future for their family, but Frank is hesitant. April and Frank Wheeler have the habits of a couple that has been together so long that they know how to win fights against each other, how to put each other down, each other's foibles and strengths.
So they're stuck in a rut, and their plan to leave for Paris, which might have been the boon they were waiting for, crumbles when April announces she's pregnant. She considers abortion, but Frank won't have it, oh no this is just the chance he'e been waiting for because after all in the end of all things, Frank is a coward.
As John says, April is the one that wears the pants in the family. John is my favourite character in the book by the way, half-insane & entire intelligent.
In the October 1999 issue of the Boston Review, Yates was quoted on his central theme: "If my work has a theme, I suspect it is a simple one: that most human beings are inescapably alone, and therein lies their tragedy."
Yates is very good at writing dialogues, and his characters seem uncannily honest, their emotions reach you off the page, and you can't help but extend sympathy for them. The ending is perfect too, although I'm sure many people won't feel that way.
Emotional. Powerful.
The Wheelers on Revolutionary Road, the Revolutionaries on Wheeler Road?, I get them all mixed up in my head.
A wonderful book, a MUST-READ. This is one of the greats.
Stay weird, people. Fuck normalcy. Stay weird.
Cheers
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