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The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Audiobook
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(3.02) - 951 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Universally acclaimed when first published in 1955, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit captured the mood of a generation. It was a national bestseller that was made into an award-winning film, it was translated into twenty-six languages, and its title has become a permanent part of our cultural vocabulary. Today, it is more relevant than ever. Here is the story of Tom and Betsy Rath, a young couple with everything going for them: three healthy children, a nice home, a steady income. They have every reason to be happy, but for some reason they are not. Like so many young men of the day, Tom finds himself caught up in the corporate rat race—what he encounters there propels him on a voyage of self-discovery that will turn his world inside out. At once a searing indictment of corporate culture, a story of a young man confronting his past and future with honesty, and a testament to the enduring power of family, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit is a deeply rewarding novel about the importance of taking responsibility for one's own life.
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"how is it that some books, like this one, seem to capture a very specific time, but also capture the sentiments and understandings of so many other times, currenttimes included. (see also bel ami same capturing) are the authors on to something magical, are they so intuned with modern and not so modern culture that they can chop it down to something so utterly tangible that people yesterday today tomorrow, will all totally get it. for a while i thought, how fabulous would it be to have a modern rewrite of this, but then i realized, no need, sloan already did that."
— Morgan (4 out of 5 stars)
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Lawlor's narration is well-paced, steady, and captures both the blunted emotion and plodding pace of bourgeois life in 1950s Southport, Connecticut.
— Publishers Weekly Audio Review
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Listener Reviews
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" I read this book shortly after reading Revolutionary Road and Catch 22, which put an interesting spin on the book. The book can be viewed as 3 portions Revolutionary Road and 1 portion Catch 22. But overall the book has more hope and satisfaction. "
— Emily, 2/14/2014 -
" I dug it for a good while, in spite of the war reflections, but the ending really blew it for me. Redemption needs to be believable to work. "
— John, 2/6/2014 -
" Surprisingly fresh -- surely they should remake this film with George Clooney.... "
— Lani, 2/6/2014 -
" Interesting overview of the economy and mind-set of the affluent '50s-60s. Good insight into where we are today both pros and cons re: economic philosophy. Also good insight into how a large event in our past can affect our entire life, both good and bad, especially when we keep it a secret. "
— Suzanne, 1/27/2014 -
" Interesting examination into the nine-to-five life of a corporate employee. "
— Jeffrey, 1/19/2014 -
" I checked this out because "Mad Men" was my favorite new show on TV, and the book didn't disappoint. "
— Kit, 1/17/2014 -
" I loved this classic book. Since it is set in Fairfield County, CT, where I live, and since it is about a commuter (which I was), I found it to be very interesting. "
— Susannah, 1/16/2014 -
" As apt today as it was when written. "
— Noel, 12/23/2013 -
" It was an interesting book to read. I had some problems understanding what it was really talking about but at the end it summerized what the entire book was reffering too and it helped me in so many ways. "
— Jailene, 12/21/2013 -
" While waiting for Season 4 of MAD MEN.... "
— Bob, 12/5/2013 -
" I liked the beginning and middle a lot, but was a little disappointed with the last 100pgs or so. Still worth reading for a look into post war life. "
— Ellen, 12/1/2013 -
" Even though it was written in the '50's, it still deals with issues we face today; alancing family, career, at what price comes ambition. A good read. "
— David, 11/27/2013 -
" I read this book this summer and found it fascinating and timely . "
— Cathy, 7/7/2013 -
" One of my FAVORITE BOOKS of all time!!! "
— Susie, 7/6/2013 -
" ugh, what a shitty ending. no wonder why i don't read novels "
— Joe, 10/24/2012 -
" Another pretty mediocre book that I enjoyed because it's about a disaffected office worker, which I am. "
— Gregory's, 8/9/2012 -
" Kind of frustrating: for most of the book things seem to be barrelling along downwards into madness - something like West's Miss Lonelyhearts - but then right at the end everything is tied up into a fairly weak and unsatisfying happy ending. So 2 stars for you Mr Sloan Wilson. "
— severyn, 8/5/2012 -
" Eh. See the movie instead. "
— Nancy, 7/6/2012 -
" A good story of an ex army person trying to fit in to civilian life and find his niche. I couldn't put it down. "
— Graeme, 3/29/2012 -
" really great book, can't recommend it enought "
— Clare, 2/26/2012 -
" I simple little fifties book. Pleasant, and fairly well written, but when you get to the last 10 pages it reallymakes you think about waht's important in life! "
— Catherine, 11/5/2011 -
" This was a great read, focussed on regular people with not uncommon forces affecting their inner worlds, decisions, and relaionships. Simple (not simplistic) writing belies the intricacies of the story. "
— Carol, 6/11/2011 -
" An amazing book! Very true. Easy to read. "
— Hilda, 5/12/2011 -
" I read this book shortly after reading Revolutionary Road and Catch 22, which put an interesting spin on the book. The book can be viewed as 3 portions Revolutionary Road and 1 portion Catch 22. But overall the book has more hope and satisfaction. "
— Emily, 4/28/2011 -
" I really liked this book, but I have to say, I wasn't overly thrilled with the ending. As others have said, it was a little too pat for my liking...everything works out and everyone lives happily ever after. It wasn't enough to completely ruin the book for me, but I was disappointed by the end. "
— Amanda, 4/19/2011 -
" A good story of an ex army person trying to fit in to civilian life and find his niche. I couldn't put it down.<br/> "
— Graeme, 3/6/2011 -
" Awsome, it gives another idea of the 50's american dream. Really interesting. "
— Madblue, 1/30/2011 -
" Quick easy fiction. 1950s piece about morality of advancement and struggles of the salaryman. A happy ending, for once! "
— Kaworu, 1/26/2011 -
" Published in 1955. Still a good read. Movie starring Gregory Peck(?) in the Fifties "
— Brent, 12/21/2010 -
" great view into the lives of 1950's americans. there is a mystery in this otherwise straightforward story and that kept me interested. short book, worth reading, especially if you watch "mad men." "
— Littleapple11, 12/13/2010 -
" I simple little fifties book. Pleasant, and fairly well written, but when you get to the last 10 pages it reallymakes you think about waht's important in life! "
— Catherine, 12/3/2010 -
" Excellent story & message but found it to be a tad "slow" at times. "
— T.H., 11/17/2010
About Sloan Wilson
Sloan Wilson (1920–2003) was an American author who wrote novels, short stories, and poetry. Among his many works are the bestsellers The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit and A Summer Place, Away from It All, Voyage to Somewhere, Ice Brothers, and Pacific Interlude.
About Patrick Lawlor
Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.