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A review by oofym
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This novel grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and wouldn't let me go, I read about 80 pages the first day and then the other 250 on the 2nd. So to say it was gripping would be an understatement.
I think what struck me the most about this was this ever present subtle feeling of "fakeness" to everything; "all the glitters isn't gold". The suburban dream is a lie, that's what this story felt like.
In terms of the writing style I couldn't help thinking about "Stoner" by John Williams the whole time, there's such an overlap going on here and considering the books were written like 3 years apart there's probably a reason for the similarities. It's a simple sort of prose that all the while has this nice glossy feel to it, like a beautiful oil painting which has the perfect amount being shown. I've seen reviewers call Richard Yates (The Author) a "Writers writer" and I couldn't agree more, if I could write it would be like Revolutionary road.
The way each character is equally grey and complex, nuanced and multilayerd, sympathetic yet off-putting; is really astounding.
April is the special stand out though, by the end of the story I couldn't help feeling horribly sorry for her, her end is a Shakespearean tragedy through and through.
In short, this was essentially a perfect novel. It didn't make me cry or feel something profound, so it doesn't get a 5, but it definitely gets a 4 and a half.
I think what struck me the most about this was this ever present subtle feeling of "fakeness" to everything; "all the glitters isn't gold". The suburban dream is a lie, that's what this story felt like.
In terms of the writing style I couldn't help thinking about "Stoner" by John Williams the whole time, there's such an overlap going on here and considering the books were written like 3 years apart there's probably a reason for the similarities. It's a simple sort of prose that all the while has this nice glossy feel to it, like a beautiful oil painting which has the perfect amount being shown. I've seen reviewers call Richard Yates (The Author) a "Writers writer" and I couldn't agree more, if I could write it would be like Revolutionary road.
The way each character is equally grey and complex, nuanced and multilayerd, sympathetic yet off-putting; is really astounding.
April is the special stand out though, by the end of the story I couldn't help feeling horribly sorry for her, her end is a Shakespearean tragedy through and through.
In short, this was essentially a perfect novel. It didn't make me cry or feel something profound, so it doesn't get a 5, but it definitely gets a 4 and a half.