Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! I had a great time reading The Other Bolyen Girl all throughout February, and I'm equally excited about this next selection: Richard Yates' 1961 classic Revolutionary Road.
Now, full disclosure: I have read this book and recently wrote about my uneasiness at the thought of turning this emotional novel into a movie. However, I so enjoyed Yates' writing and found the book to be so rich with discussion topics — especially in regard to the idea of modern dystopia — that I just couldn't resist reading it again.
For those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works:
I'll announce a new book each month. Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in March). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.
By the end of the month we will have gotten through this dark, gorgeously written look at life in the suburbs in the 1950s, and we'll be fully equipped to watch the movie later this year to see how it compares. To see what Revolutionary Road is all about, and to get your first assignment, read more.
The synopsis for Revolutionary Road reads:
"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."
Your first assignment: Read from Part One, Chapter One to the end of Part One, Chapter Four. (Feel free to read ahead, but no spoilers, please!) We'll chat about this first section next Friday, March 7.
Ready? Set? Go read!
Juicy Couture
L'Autre Chose
Claudie Pierlot
Sounds interesting. I'm on it.
1I'll wait for the movie with Leo and Kate
2I'm in. Let me find a copy. To the Library!
3Looking forward to the next discussion. Off to Borders tomorrow!
4I have so many books to read this semester-but I might have to track it down at the library-lets hope I can keep up!
5Sounds intriguing i'll be searching the library for this tomorrow!
6This was on my to-read list, so hopefully I can pick it up at the library and read before Friday. (I'm in the middle of Cormac McCarthy's The Road and don't really want to put that one down.)
7count me in again!
8I just read this book! I can't think of two more perfect people to play the leads in the movie. Leo will be sooo good as Frank and Kate will be perfect as April. I tend to go a little easy on Frank because I like Leo so much, but he's got issues (Frank). I can't explain why this book has affected me so much. It's actually very depressing, but the way Yates writes is wonderful. His descriptions of the people and the facial expressions and mannerisms are amazing. Oat Fields eating lunch with Frank and his dad - you could see this disgusting man so easily. As a mother I can relate to the way Frank feels about his kids (i.e. the shovel incident and reading the funnies and how he feels so bad for his daughter when she's upset about Paris). Poor April needed some Zoloft I think. Did he really love April or was he in love with the idea of her (a first rate girl?). I wonder if the movie will be close to the book or not.
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