Classic Suburban Drama That's Relevant Today
Richard Yates's novel, Revolutionary Road, takes us to the dirty underbelly of "nice." Taking the tried-and-true template, "not everything is as it seems," and giving a fresh coat of paint, Yates succeeds with compelling characters and an engaging narrative.
The novel begins with the ultimate in bourgeoisie: a small-town acting troupe putting on a play. The result is disastrous and immediately sets the tone for the relationships and events of the novel. April, the lead in the play, is also the lead female protag. Her husband is Frank, and they are from New York, moved to the suburbs in the late 50's to raise their two kids. "But not everything is as it seems." ha. Frank is a classic narcissist, a lovely realization Yates doesn't trumpet until well into the book—at first, Frank seems noble and sincere. If I had been a real person meeting the real Frank, he would have fooled me. April was bombastic and labile from the get-go, and I almost felt sorry for Frank—almost. Then I felt they were a perfect match of neuroses.
Make no mistake, these are far from likeable characters—but they are fascinating. Enter Shep and Millie, their only "friends" in their small neck of the woods. Shep and Millie play the part of the beholden duo well, hanging on every word as Frank grandstands about the fictitious lives they all lead, and what an illusion it all is. April spends her time posing her long neck just "so", and deferring to Frank—that is, when they aren't at each other's throats like rabid dogs.
Then there's the nosy realtor with the insane son—ironically the only person in the book who is sane, frankly, and he's locked up at Greenacres.
So unfolds the drama of Frank and April and the superficial relationship they have carefully constructed, while decay rots them from underneath its foundation.
This well-written novel is actually a scathing indictment of the culture we live in, the hypocrisies we live with, and the veneer we all use to fill in the festering holes.
Clean, succinct writing, complex characters and a story that makes you feel as though you're wickedly encroaching on their private lives through their perfect picture window—Revolutionary Road is a delicious read, one I highly recommend.
