All the sorrows of Evan Shepard's loutish adolescence were redeemed at seventeen, in 1935, when he fell in love with automobiles. His persistent bullying of weaker boys, his thick-witted ways of offending girls, his inept and embarrassing ventures into petty crime - none of those things mattered any more, except as bad memories. He had found a high romance in driving fast and far, over most of Long Island, and he soon attained intimacy with the mechanical parts of any car he could get his hands on. For whole days at a time, meticulously taking a car apart or putting it together in the dust of his parents' driveway, Evan would be lost to the world.
Cold Spring Harbor is my third Richard Yates novel this year, and fourth overall. I've also read many of his short stories and a wonderful biography. It's time to start working on a Yates wrap-up post!
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.
I'm desperate to read this, JoAnn! Can't wait for your thoughts. I must read more Yates - I think I will head to the library and pick Cold Spring Harbor up in the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteThat intro seems very promising. If the rest of the book is as good, I can see why you're liking Richard Yates so much. I'll definitely be on the look out for him now!
ReplyDeleteOh my the cover blends perfectly with your lovely blog. By the first paragraph, and my experience with Yates, this is a MYST READ.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing with us JoAnn.
Never read Yates. I probably should though, so I can call myself literary! Sometimes these things intimidate me.
ReplyDeleteThis year already? That is a lot of Yates. I haven't even tried anything by him yet but assume they are deep and involved. I have something of his in my tbr pile at home somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read my first Yates-will try to work him in soon-great post-
ReplyDeleteI"m sure that after reading your thoughts on this one and combined with Diane's I will be adding this to my bookshelves!
ReplyDeleteRachel - I finished Cold Spring Harbor tonight and loved it. Still very Yates-like, but somehow mellower that Disturbing the Peace.
ReplyDeleteValerie - The rest of the book was just as good. I just finished!
Diane - I loved this one, Diane. Shifting viewpoints helps to really see each character. I'm almost rethinking taking a break from Yates...
Sandy - Yates' books are so accessible... no need to be intimidated - really!
Care - Not so much deep and involved, but more real and honest. He really is a wonderful writer!
Mel u - You could always start with a short story or two :-)
Staci - Seems like Diane and I have both been on a Yates kick this year. I just love his writing!
I have Revolutionary Road waiting for me on my TBR shelf. He sounds like an author I'm really going to like.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Yates, but this first paragraph definitely grabbed me.
ReplyDeleteTrish - Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteCarolsnotebook - I think you might like him. Maybe try a short story first?
Well, how did I miss this book? I thought he'd only written two books (RR and Easter Parade). Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteDeb Nance - The two you mention are his most well-known, but Yates actually wrote seven novels and several collections of stories.
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