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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing, the era, the characters... all so good.
The actual story is meandering, weaving the lives of the sisters and families.
I'll be searching out more by him.

What a cover!
This has started well, like his writing a great deal

After reading Revolutionary Road last month, I decided to try another Yates book - 2 books, 2 5-star ratings. I believe Richard Yates just earned a spot on my favorite author list (Yes, I actually have one). He writes “modern classics” set mainly in 1960-70s and he totally nails the characters and atmosphere of the period. This book follows the tragic lives of Sarah and Emily Grimes. These are not “happy“ books but a glimpse of real Americana.

'Easter Parade' is written with such clarity and skill but it simply offered too much "real life" for me. I've sent this one back to the library but hope to try reading it again one day!

I heard this story would be sad. Yates even shares in his first sentence, "Neither of the Grimes sisters would have a happy life..." When I was in my 20's, I loved sad books that were full of wisdom and suffering (e.g. 'Angela's Ashes') but in my busy 30's, I just want something that makes me feel good...

(Cont...)

My husband was studying at the library and our 2 y/o son and I decided to visit. It was unusually rainy and my son needed new books anyway. I went to see which Sarah Addison Allen books were available when my husband showed up with this book, 'The Easter Parade.' I am giving it a chance, you guys. The man says it is one of the few to actually bring him to tears... What do you think? I am personally pretty excited.

yates has the best eye for (& probably experience of) this type of scene - it just flies off the page.

I read this book fairly quickly and was invested in the main character, Emily's, story but something was missing for me. Perhaps it is because I was born 45 or so years after these characters were and my world is so far removed from the world they lived in. Perhaps it is because a male author was writing two female characters. Perhaps it was a mix of both, but I could not get fully invested in this book.

Crazy good books from the first box on the weekend sale. $3 or less.

#LitsyClassics Y
Book 23 in my challenge and not the most cheerful as we follow the lives of sisters sarah and emily grimes from their parents divorce in 1930 until the early 70's. So sad the way the lives go & how families can be so close yet far apart. I put the bk down astonished at a brilliantly written bk but feeling gloomy. This has been my experience of yates, revolutionary rd-brilliant but depressing, maybe ill wait b4 going back to him.

#Litsyclassics #winterwonderland #babyitscoldoutside
Nearly finished my challenge and this will be book 24 if i get an hour in later. I love Richard Yates writing but gosh id forgotten how compellingly miserable life is in his world of 50's and 60's new York. This quote seemed to fit although sorry to bring the atmosphere crashing down amidst empty bottles of whisky, smoke filled rooms, and crumpled bed sheets. Ho ho ho 😂

#7favesin7days

Day 2

I see that this has a low rating here on litsy, but I can‘t understand why. I really loved this book ❤️

LOOK at that wrapping paper!!!! @melyndarae, I love it!!!! And that bunny candy dispenser... 😂😂😂 The kids are going to love the Kinder Eggs, but I may just share the toys! 😚😚😚 Thank you so much!!!!

#easterbasketbookswap - box mailed today! Enjoy, @Wonderwoman89 Thanks for heading this up, @JoeStalksBeck

Meh. (That was spoken in my Beldar Conehead voice)

Two sisters... their parents divorce. They grow up and there is lots of drinking and violent marriages / failed relationships ensue. More drinking, failures, aging.
I wanted to love it because I loved Revolutionary Road so much... But... Meh.

Today I'm in the kitchen canning tomatoes and dilly beans! While I wait around during processing times, I'm reading these two books. (Also, I couldn't resist sneaking my feet clad in Edgar Allen Poe-ka dot socks in to the photo 😉)

Another Yates, still not aa good as Revolutionary Road, but enjoyable anyway.