From one of the most important writers of the twentieth century, the acclaimed author of Revolutionary Road , comes the story of a mother who struggles with her own demons while her son goes to fight in Europe, hoping to become his own man. " Like Breakfast At Tiffany's spliced with All Quiet On The Western Front . Impossible to paraphrase, wonderful to read." —Zadie Smith, bestselling author of White Teeth Robert Prentice has spent all his life attempting to escape his mother's stifling presence. His mother, Alice, for her part, is attempting to realize her dreams of prosperity and success as a sculptor. As Robert goes off to fight in Europe, Richard Yates portrays a soldier in the depths of war striving to live up to his heroic ideals. With haunting clarity, Yates crafts an unforgettable portrait of two people who cannot help but hope for more even as life challenges them both.