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Interviews | November 19, 2009

Dave: IMG Finding John Irving: The Powells.com Interview

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[Editor's note: The following is a reprint of our 2005 interview with John Irving, whose new novel, Last Night in Twisted River, has just come out... Continue »

Revolutionary Road

by Richard Yates

Revolutionary Road Cover

Review-a-Day   (What is Review-a-Day?)

"The achievement of Richard Yates's Revolutionary Road was to anatomize the ills and woes of suburbia while simultaneously satirizing those suburbanites and others who thought that they themselves were too good for the 'burbs." Christopher Hitchens, The Atlantic Monthly (read the entire Atlantic Monthly review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

With a new introduction by Richard Ford.

From the moment of its publication in 1961, Revolutionary Road was hailed as a masterpiece of realistic fiction and as the most evocative portrayal of the opulent desolation of the American suburbs. It's the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a bright, beautiful, and talented couple who have lived on the assumption that greatness is only just around the corner. With heartbreaking compassion and remorseless clarity, Richard Yates shows how Frank and April mortgage their spiritual birthright, betraying not only each other, but their best selves.

In his introduction to this edition, novelist Richard Ford pays homage to the lasting influence and enduring power of Revolutionary Road.

Review:

"The Great Gatsby of my time...one of the best books by a member of my generation." Kurt Vonnegut

Review:

"A deft, ironic, beautiful novel that deserves to be a classic." William Styron

Review:

"Beautifully crafted...a remarkable and deeply troubling book." Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

Review:

"It is reminiscent of the popular film American Beauty in its depiction of white-collar life as fraught with discontent. Others have picked up on this theme since, but Yates remains a solid read." Library Journal
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About the Author

Richard Yates died in 1992.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Danielle Tinker, December 26, 2008 (view all comments by Danielle Tinker)
The foundation of the story is the development of American suburbs. The characters demonstrate the status and image that suburban life brought to its residents, and brings to light the new conflicts and struggles facing American suburban families. The dynamics of relationships change with the shift to suburbia, and a new American family life evolved. The writing is incredible, and the story keeps the readers interest. It explains the side of the evolution of American suburbs not commonly explored. A great story, and a great look into America's suburban life.
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shaw, October 18, 2006 (view all comments by shaw)
Revolutionary Road tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler fighting to keep the hounds of boredom at bay and failing in their own miserable and compelling ways. Ricard Yates takes the lid off marriage in the suburbs and reveals the rot under the surface.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780375708442
Author:
Yates, Richard
Publisher:
Vintage Books USA
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Marriage
Subject:
Married people
Subject:
Connecticut
Subject:
Suburban life
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Edition Number:
2
Edition Description:
2nd Vintage Contemporaries ed.
Series Volume:
v. 1-2
Publication Date:
April 2000
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
8.24x4.98x.78 in. .59 lbs.
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