Reviews with content warning for Abortion - Revolutionary Road

Notes:
- This book is totally up my alley! Lyrical, atmospheric writing and very character driven.
- Loved the way it describes past and present events that alludes to this undercurrent of emptiness, disappointment and a haunting loss of something unrealised despite the "perfect" facade.

- That breakfast scene man :') Really got me good, that feeling of loss before the loss has happened really hits my wheelhouse.

- Not top tier fav book just yet but getting real close!

Content Warnings

carissa230's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Frank and April Wheeler live the American dream, but is it their dream? April got pregnant early in their relationship and didn't want to keep it, but Frank convinced her to. Then they moved to the suburbs and had another kid. All of this seems to be what is wanted and expected of people in love. However, this life is suffocating for Apri. She didn't want to have kids so fast and now feels trapped in her life. Frank doesn't like their life any more than she does, but he cares what others think and say.

When they decide to leave their lives behind and move to France things start looking up, but life has a way of getting in the way of your dreams.

Content Warnings

alana_reads98's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

daisymcooper's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

hatwills's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

signeskov's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I picked up this read with no larger expectations than a 1950s suburban drama (possibly inspired by the fact that I at one point in my life had watched the DeCaprio and Winslet movie trailer), but was pleasantly surprised that what I got was a suburban tragedy. Especially the last 50 pages or so of the book brought out interesting character arcs, and I think the very last two paragraphs of the book closes off the tale exquisitely.

Revolutionary Road showcases interesting thoughts on gender, toxic relationships, monogamous marriages, bodily autonomy, and the freedom to chase dreams. Part of the act seems the way it is written from a male gaze but somehow still manages to express a critique towards the very same and how patriarcal structures damage not just the lives of women, but also clearly hinders men from achieving true happiness in their relationships and in themselves as individuals. Perhaps this a feminist reading of 2023, but I think it was either way an interesting one.

One thing is sure: this tragedy makes you fear the conformity of surburban life and choosing to lean into the heteronormative roles that society has given you. Playing along without thinking twice carries its consequences.

Content Warnings

starrylemon's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

wondering_hannah88's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

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