Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

Company type	Novel
Industry	Literature
Founded	1961
Founder	Richard Yates
Products	Book

Revolutionary Road marks the first novel by American writer Richard Yates. Released in 1961 through Little, Brown, it was shortlisted for the National Book Award in 1962, competing with titles such as Catch-22 and The Moviegoer. The book garnered widespread critical praise, with The New York Times describing it as "beautifully crafted ... a remarkable and deeply troubling book." In 2005, TIME included it among the 100 greatest English-language novels published since 1923.

This novel presents a sharp critique of suburban existence on the U.S. East Coast during the 1950s. In a 1972 discussion with literary journal Ploughshares, Yates characterized the title as a condemnation of American life at that time, emphasizing a pervasive conformity coupled with an anxious quest for security and stability.

A cinematic version directed by Sam Mendes, featuring performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Kathy Bates, debuted in 2008.

Plot summary

Set against the backdrop of 1955, the narrative revolves around Frank and April Wheeler, self-assured residents of Connecticut’s Revolutionary Hill Estates who regard themselves as distinct from their suburban neighbors. April takes part in a modest amateur staging of The Petrified Forest, while following a heated highway dispute with Frank, he initiates an affair with his coworker Maureen Grube.

In an effort to break free from the dullness of suburban routine, April convinces Frank to relocate to Paris, where she intends to work and support his vague aspirations beyond his office career. The idea of moving to France rekindles their romantic connection, prompting Frank to seemingly end his extramarital involvement. For April, emigrating represents a new beginning; for Frank, it is motivated by vanity, which April encourages. Their prim neighbor Mrs. Givings often brings her mentally ill son John to lunch; his candid observations about suburban life strike a chord with the Wheelers, especially Frank.

Their ambitions collapse when April discovers she is pregnant with their third child, and Frank becomes increasingly invested in his job amid prospects for advancement. After disagreements over abortion arise, Frank attempts to steer April toward psychiatric care to address her troubled history. Struggling emotionally, April experiences an identity crisis and has an affair with neighbor Shep Campbell; meanwhile, Frank rekindles his relationship with Maureen. Following a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, April succumbs to blood loss. Devastated and burdened by guilt, Frank becomes emotionally numb. The responsibility of raising their children largely falls on his brother and sister-in-law, while Frank visits only on weekends. The Wheeler children’s upbringing reflects that of their mother’s own childhood, which was primarily overseen by relatives during her parents’ frequent absences.

Themes

Yates identified loneliness and human tragedy as the fundamental themes: despite their aspirations, Frank and April fail to share their true desires. This sense of isolation also touches characters like Shep and Milly Campbell and Mr. and Mrs. Givings. The Wheelers’ dissatisfaction symbolizes the unraveling fragments of the American Dream.

Literary significance

Stewart O'Nan explored Yates's marginalization in "The Lost World of Richard Yates: How the Great Writer of the Age of Anxiety Disappeared from Print". Notable writers including William Styron, Kurt Vonnegut, and Tennessee Williams provided endorsements featured on the book’s dust jacket.

Film adaptation

The screenplay was crafted by Justin Haythe, with Sam Mendes taking on the role of director. Leading roles were performed by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, supported by Kathy Bates and Michael Shannon. Upon its release on December 26, 2008, the movie was met with positive critical reception and earned $76 million at the box office.

External links

• Joe Gandelman, "Guest Book Review: Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates", The Moderate Voice, January 2008.
• Benjamin Lytal, "Reconsiderations: Richard Yates's 'Revolutionary Road'", The New York Sun, July 2, 2008.
• Adelle Waldman, "Blaming the 'Burbs" (essay on the novel and film), The New Republic, December 22, 2008.