Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

I have mixed feelings on this book.  The writing was wonderful, and I was completely amazed that the world has not changed a bit since this book was written.  It easily could have been written about people I know today.  I especially liked the way the author artfully painted the character’s struggles as self defeating bad decisions based on insecurity and fear.  The mixed feelings are mostly because I didn’t like the fact I kept identifying with the characters.  I also found myself yelling at the book in places; you only have one dream?  Fight mediocrity, fight consumerism, fight your life if it isn’t what you want it to be, but seriously, you can’t do that while appreciating and cherishing your children?  I was a little annoyed their children were almost written in the same tone as the suburbs that were suffocating them.  Other than that, the book was awesome.  A relevant warning of the tragedy your life can become when you start making excusses.  I am excited to see the film, I hope it lives up to this wonderful piece of fiction.