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In Great American Novel Podcast Episode 22, we wrestle with the old Thoreau quote "The majority of men lead lives of quiet desperation" as we delve into the soul-sapping mid-century suburbs in Richard Yates' 1961 novel Revolutionary Road. Join the hosts for a conversation that considers other suburban chroniclers such as Updike and Cheever and other treatments from the film adaptation to Mad Men to Seinfeld. Ultimately the hosts have to confront this essential question: not whether they should move to France, but whether we can call Revolutionary Road a Great American Novel? Listeners are warned: there be spoilers here.

The Great American Novel podcast is an ongoing discussion about the novels we hold up as significant achievements in our American literary culture. Additionally, we sometimes suggest novels who should break into the sometimes problematical canon and at other times we’ll suggest books which can be dropped from such lofty consideration. Your hosts are Kirk Curnutt and Scott Yarbrough, professors with little time and less sense who nonetheless enjoy a good book banter. All opinions are their own and do not reflect the points of view of their employers, publishers, relatives, pets, or accountants.

All show music is by Lobo Loco. The intro song is “Old Ralley,” and the outro is “Inspector Invisible.” For more information visit: https://locolobomusic.com/. Revolutionary Road film dir. Sam Mendes, 2008.

We may be contacted at greatamericannovelpodcast (@) gmail.com.

Unauthorized Disclosure - Guest: Freddie deBoer