(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed)
Three classic works—including the virtuosic Revolutionary Road, soon to be a major motion pictur... read full description
Three classic works—including the virtuosic Revolutionary Road, soon to be a major motion pictur... read full description
reviews
Feb 15, 2009
James
rated it: 
How do you describe what you have just experienced when you've just finished reading a perfectly-written book? Richard Yates' masterpiece, Revolutionary Road, is a modern classic in the true sense of the word. He captures life in the fifties and the ennui and longing that lay hidden behind the grey flannel suits and the white aprons. This book works on every level, just one being the way he successfully creates a central couple as protagonists and is able to provide, in a theme and variation sty
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Sep 30, 2010
Lcbogota
rated it: 
Fashioning Himself a Hero: Death of Another Salesman
The Laurel Players is an amateur theater group with high hopes of establishing a loftier cultural standard in their Connecticut suburb, but their short-lived attempt to put on a play is an utter failure. This sets the tone for the rest of the book, and the author's exploration of the themes of social aspirations, the desire the project oneself, and role-playing to meet or consciously balk social expectations.
Like the La More...
The Laurel Players is an amateur theater group with high hopes of establishing a loftier cultural standard in their Connecticut suburb, but their short-lived attempt to put on a play is an utter failure. This sets the tone for the rest of the book, and the author's exploration of the themes of social aspirations, the desire the project oneself, and role-playing to meet or consciously balk social expectations.
Like the La More...
Aug 25, 2009
Lauren
rated it: 
For REVOLUTIONARY ROAD ONLY:
Please, if you haven't seen the film yet (and friends tell me it's all right, if not great) then do yourself a favor and read this book, which I can say unequivocally is bloody brilliant -- agonizing, horrifying, sad as hell; a long silent scream of desperation -- but brilliant.
Revolutionary Road is the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a couple living on the ragged edge of seething discontent, set in the Connecticut suburbs of the 1950s. (And More...
Please, if you haven't seen the film yet (and friends tell me it's all right, if not great) then do yourself a favor and read this book, which I can say unequivocally is bloody brilliant -- agonizing, horrifying, sad as hell; a long silent scream of desperation -- but brilliant.
Revolutionary Road is the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a couple living on the ragged edge of seething discontent, set in the Connecticut suburbs of the 1950s. (And More...
Jun 09, 2009
Veronica
rated it:
So I already wrote about how depressing this book was. I did like it in an odd, twisted way. It was very understated--smoothly written. I tried reading the other two books that were included in the Modern Reader edition, but they didn't grab me.
Funny passages about working in cubicles in an office in Manhattan. "Each [floor:] was a big open room, ablaze with fluorescent ceiling lights, that had been divided into a maze of aisles and cubicles by shoulder-high partitions. The uppe More...
Funny passages about working in cubicles in an office in Manhattan. "Each [floor:] was a big open room, ablaze with fluorescent ceiling lights, that had been divided into a maze of aisles and cubicles by shoulder-high partitions. The uppe More...
Aug 25, 2010
Jen
rated it:
After watching and enjoying the movie, Revolutionary Road, including the special features in which Kate Winslett reveals that it was the book that made her want to do this film, I decided I had to read the book too.
The novel is excellent! My first time reading Richard Yates, and come to find out that he's a brilliant writer of the human situation. These characters feel real and honest, not simple archetypes plugged into a story. I watched the movie & read the book within about a month More...
The novel is excellent! My first time reading Richard Yates, and come to find out that he's a brilliant writer of the human situation. These characters feel real and honest, not simple archetypes plugged into a story. I watched the movie & read the book within about a month More...
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Aug 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Though I've read Revolutionary Road a handful of times before, it's been a while and I was jazzed to find an Everyman's copy at Book Buyers, which comes with a timeline of the author's life and concurrent events. So I didn't know Yates was a big old alcoholic before (not shocking, I guess) or that he was broke and lived terribly at the times when he writing his most prolifically. Also not shocking. But thumbing through the timeline really did give a new perspective on how awful his life was in s
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Mar 16, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Since I reviewed each title separately this is going to be insanely long. You've been warned.
Revolutionary Road (4 stars)
Part of my "re-reading in 2011" challenge. I believe I first read this in 2007, and was completely blown away. This time was no different.
It loses a bit of intensity on a second read-through, since you know what's going to happen. You wait for it. But the build-up to that is was really makes this genuine. Frank & April Wheeler are More...
Revolutionary Road (4 stars)
Part of my "re-reading in 2011" challenge. I believe I first read this in 2007, and was completely blown away. This time was no different.
It loses a bit of intensity on a second read-through, since you know what's going to happen. You wait for it. But the build-up to that is was really makes this genuine. Frank & April Wheeler are More...
Jun 06, 2011
jordan
rated it:
One only realizes Yates's brilliance when you remember that much of what we now think of as received/conventional wisdom that appears in his work was neither when he wrote. But beware, this is some of the most depressing stuff ever set to a page.
Jun 22, 2009
Maya
rated it:
I really thought I would hate this book because I was ambivalent about the subject but I ended getting totally caught up in the writing and ended up loving it. I think Richard Yates really captures human emotion and writes about it beautifully.
May 22, 2009
Dianne
rated it:
The writers and producers of Mad Men must have read this when creating the character of Betty. Yates has a particularly dim view of marriage, of men, and of women. Only the prepubescent children are left unscathed.
Apr 05, 2009
Justin
rated it:
I haven't read the stories at the end yet, but the two novels kick ass. Specifically white, middle class, suburban ass. And they kick it until it bleeds and hurts and comes back for more. As I will.
Aug 29, 2010
Steph
rated it:
Reading Easter Parade...hello again, friend.
Easter Parade--so real and relatable. His characters ring true and Yates steps out of the way, letting the story move forward, but with such a distinct voice. He's a master of structure without seeming too planned; it's so natural. I'd recommend him to anyone.
Easter Parade--so real and relatable. His characters ring true and Yates steps out of the way, letting the story move forward, but with such a distinct voice. He's a master of structure without seeming too planned; it's so natural. I'd recommend him to anyone.
May 03, 2009
Gary
rated it:
As I got into this fine novel'Revolutionary Road', I could hear playing in my head Pete Seeger's song 'Little Boxes'. This searing account of mid fifties suburban America, brings out the reality that life isn't all perfectly square corners. The lives that are lived out in these "little boxes" aren't as neat and orderly. Much as we try to encase it, life is impossible to confine.
The story itself is timeless, and will resonate with all who read it. The prose flows like a rive More...
The story itself is timeless, and will resonate with all who read it. The prose flows like a rive More...
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Dec 24, 2011
Nurshafiqa
rated it:
wow.
i was not expecting such an enjoyable and revelatory read.
hard to pick a favorite since each story was amazing in their own way, and all too much relatable it left me feeling quite vulnerable, to be honest.
5 stars.
richard yates is a gem.
i was not expecting such an enjoyable and revelatory read.
hard to pick a favorite since each story was amazing in their own way, and all too much relatable it left me feeling quite vulnerable, to be honest.
5 stars.
richard yates is a gem.
Dec 22, 2009
Dina
rated it:
Only read Revolutionary Road so far and will include a more substantial review and description of how Richard Yates broke my heart by holding up a mirror at a later date...
Jul 13, 2009
Amber
rated it: 
I held on till page 50 and realized I have plenty of other books to read. This book is boring with a capitol B.
Sep 15, 2009
Ally
rated it: 
i'll admit i saw the movie and then picked up the book. i was so intrigued by the story that i thought i would love the reading. but, what is up with the misogyny? does he have to mention april's hips and cankles at every turn? seriously. no mention of how frank is aging poorly. i'm becoming a yater (yates hater) unless someone can help me out---am i missing something about yates?
update: couldn't finish it. never thought i'd say this but screenplay was way more beautiful and More...
update: couldn't finish it. never thought i'd say this but screenplay was way more beautiful and More...
Aug 05, 2009
Kaya
rated it:
I only read Rev Road. Not the other two- the library wanted it back. Pfft.
HOLY CRAP! Read this NOW. If you like getting punched in the guts. Then puking and crying. Then having a baby and trying to shoving it back in. Then reliving every moment of your childhood of your parents fighting. Then hating your significant other. Ugh. Tears. Drama. PUKE! My top 5 books ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLY CRAP! Read this NOW. If you like getting punched in the guts. Then puking and crying. Then having a baby and trying to shoving it back in. Then reliving every moment of your childhood of your parents fighting. Then hating your significant other. Ugh. Tears. Drama. PUKE! My top 5 books ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Feb 19, 2010
G
rated it:
Beautiful. Understated but profound. Sad and uplifting all at once. The two novels in this volume will make you stop and think 1000 times, if you're willing. I was and am richly rewarded for it. I'll get to the stories later, for now I am just sitting and thinking about Easter Parade -- it made me sit down and pause on the subway.
Jul 13, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
I've finished Revolutionary Road, which I enjoyed, but will wait a while before I start the other two. Revolutionary Road was really good and in a setting I like.
Jan 04, 2011
Hannah
rated it:
Absolutely loved all three novels. What a treat to discover such an amazing (and profoundly sad) voice. Revolutionary Road devastated me for days.
Mar 04, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
SO Good. I read these books in installments, which was nice since his novels are a tad depressing. We can all relate to the isolation and captivity of everyday life which he effortlessly portrays. His stories transcend time though they were written fifty years ago. His rich character portraits resonated with me for their sadness, truth, and beauty. The central question in all his books still remains, how can we find happiness?
Feb 11, 2012
