SOLVED. Fiction read in the 70s (I think) about a man going through midlife crisis [s]

[Anne]

I remember so little about this book - it's not really dealing with a mid-life crisis, it's just the main character is going through one, quits his job, wife thinks he's lost it, simply not acting as he should and everyone things he's gone crazy, but simply not following society's norms. wish I could remember more. I believe though I read the book in the 70s it may have been written earlier. This guy removes his father from the hospital on his request and wants to let him die in peace with his family thinking he's lost it. No on can see that he's rational and has just simply decided not to be part of the crazy typical life of working.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What country is it set in?

[Anne]

Hi - thanks for asking. It's set in the U.S. I want to reread it and am trying to recommend it to a friend - I thought sure it was still in my book case but it's not there.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Is it literary fiction or mass market fiction? Remember anything about the cover?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

This book popped into my head: Something Happened. I don't remember much about the book but possibly it is about a man having midlife crisis?

Bob Slocum was living the American dream. He had a beautiful wife, three lovely children, a nice house...and all the mistresses he desired. He had it all -- all, that is, but happiness. Slocum was discontent. Inevitably, inexorably, his discontent deteriorated into desolation until...something happened.

Something Happened is Joseph Heller's wonderfully inventive and controversial second novel satirizing business life and American culture.

[Ayshe]

The Arrangement popped in mine. I don't recall much about the father's illness circumstances but according to Google it may fit.

[Anne]

Thank you all so much for the possibilities. I'm going to check it out. This was a mass market fiction I'm pretty sure. I had it in paperback. I'll get back to this post.

[Anne]

These books sound amazing, and I thought The arrangement might have been it, but I don't think either one is the one I'm trying to find. I especially felt like "Anderson" sticks in my mind as perhaps the author or the main character and it was mentioned in The Arrangement though it could be. I'm excited that both of you who have posted took the time to do so. Thanks so much.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Anne, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Anne]

I really don't think I found the book. Those mentioned just didn't seem quite right.

[Anne]

I'm going to say it was "the arrangement" and leave it at that.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Ok.