Another great book by Richard Yates that successfully captures an unfufilled lifetime with an envious narrative.

i bought this for my girlfriend for valentine's day, because she enjoyed yates' better known 'revolutionary road', and i read that this was considered the author's other seminal work. She promptly read the easter parade cover to cover within 3 days. I asked her what she enjoyed about it, and she said that she likes yates' tragic take on ordinary familial relationships, or words to that effect. she also said that if i'd known what the book was about, i may not have bought it for her for valentines day.