Revolutionary Road

I just finished reading Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It was very well-written, but extremely depressing. Extremely. I talked to someone who went to the movie and it sounds like the movie stays true to the plot line of the book... so I am thinking I'll know someone who went to the movie and can discuss the plot line with him/her. Because unless you are prepared for the depressing nature of the book, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you went to the movie, let me know so we can discuss...

The book is set in the 1950's and is about a young couple, Frank and April Wheeler, who lives in suburbia. They have been married for around 5 years and are starting to question what they ever saw in each other. They saw their lives playing out so differently than they have. Frank never saw himself working in a dead-end job and April never saw herself living the life of a suburban mom.

Then the couple has an epiphany - they decide they should say to heck with it all and move to Europe. April will get a job and support the family which will give Frank time to figure out what makes him tick.

Then April gets pregnant with their 3rd child. Which changes everything. Having a baby in Europe really isn't practical. So they must stay on in CT.

This is where everything sort of falls apart. The last 1/4 of the book is downright depressing. But it did really make me think about relationships. Towards the end April begins to question if she ever really loved Frank. Did she say "I love you" because she really truly loved him? Or did she say that because she wanted to say those words... because she wanted to make Frank feel loved? Did they fall into a trap of uttering phrases like "whatever you think is best" or "You're the most wonderful and valuable thing in the world" because that is what they really felt?

I would hope I'd never do something like this. But I do think this does occur in relationships. People fall in love with being in love.

I think I will probably see this movie. Katie Winslet didn't get an Oscar nomination for it, but she did win a Golden Globe, so I know her performance is excellent. I will go into the theater, knowing I will leave the theater feeling heavy and unsettled.

If you read the book or see the movie, let me know so we can discuss!!