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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘What had he done, after all, except to fall asleep on the ridge, to miss out on all the combat, to break a radio, to please an old woman - and even (Jesus!) to admire himself in a mirror?’
Published eight years after his outstanding debut ‘Revolutionary Road’, Richard Yates’s second novel ‘A Special Providence’ offers something completely different, with the dual perspectives of the the 18 year-old Bobby (in wartime Europe) and his mother Alice (in New York).
It is an endearing story of shattering illusions, hopes and dreams seen from two utterly contrasting viewpoints. There is a departure from setting the novel solely in suburban America as Yates takes to the battlefields of World War Two Europe to embark upon Bobby’s coming-of-age journey. Yates’s familiar depiction of American aspiration are seen through the lens of Alice, who deludes herself of a promising sculpting career. This, for me, is where the novel is at its most absorbing. Her journey with a younger Bobby is full of promise but ultimately results in adversity.
I enjoyed elements of Bobby’s journey, but I thought Yates could have done better in making this part of the plot more readable. This being said, Yates’s point is to convey Bobby’s disappointment in not becoming a heroic soldier and to hammer home the dark realities of war. To understand this is to truly appreciate the novel.
Overall, I thought that it was a great story with plenty of beautiful prose and fantastic character development. Although the novel was not quite as excellent as ‘Revolutionary Road’, Yates is quickly becoming my favourite novelist and I’m absolutely looking forward to purchasing his later works.
Published eight years after his outstanding debut ‘Revolutionary Road’, Richard Yates’s second novel ‘A Special Providence’ offers something completely different, with the dual perspectives of the the 18 year-old Bobby (in wartime Europe) and his mother Alice (in New York).
It is an endearing story of shattering illusions, hopes and dreams seen from two utterly contrasting viewpoints. There is a departure from setting the novel solely in suburban America as Yates takes to the battlefields of World War Two Europe to embark upon Bobby’s coming-of-age journey. Yates’s familiar depiction of American aspiration are seen through the lens of Alice, who deludes herself of a promising sculpting career. This, for me, is where the novel is at its most absorbing. Her journey with a younger Bobby is full of promise but ultimately results in adversity.
I enjoyed elements of Bobby’s journey, but I thought Yates could have done better in making this part of the plot more readable. This being said, Yates’s point is to convey Bobby’s disappointment in not becoming a heroic soldier and to hammer home the dark realities of war. To understand this is to truly appreciate the novel.
Overall, I thought that it was a great story with plenty of beautiful prose and fantastic character development. Although the novel was not quite as excellent as ‘Revolutionary Road’, Yates is quickly becoming my favourite novelist and I’m absolutely looking forward to purchasing his later works.
emotional
reflective
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
Either this wasn’t as good as the other Yates novels I’ve read or I wasn’t in the right frame of mind OR I’ve read enough of him to notice when he kinda repeats himself. It’s about sad and disappointing life but it didn’t break my heart and The Easter Parade broke my heart.
Amo Richard Yates ma questo non l'ho proprio digerito
A good read but not nearly as good as the first Yates I read, "Revolutionary roads". This one is just fine, it's captivating enough not to get bored with, the writer really captures people and their ambition and motivations, and disillusions to perfection but I didn't really connect with them.
It could have done with a better ending, something big and unexpected happening. It's just very mundane, sure there's the war but we already know how and when it will end and we are familiar with war stories anyway..
It's good but it lacks a spark for me.
It could have done with a better ending, something big and unexpected happening. It's just very mundane, sure there's the war but we already know how and when it will end and we are familiar with war stories anyway..
It's good but it lacks a spark for me.