The Best of Everything | The Best of Everything

At a glance:

Author: Richard Yates
First Published: 1954
Type of Plot: Fiction of manners
Time of Work: The early 1950's
Setting: Manhattan, New York City
Principal Characters: Grace, Ralph, Martha
Genres: Short fiction
Subjects: 1950’s, Husbands, New York, North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Wives, Love or romance, Twentieth century, New York City, Marriage, Despair, Lower classes, Single people, Loneliness, Conformity, Weddings
Locales: Manhattan, NY

The Story

The Friday before Grace's weekend wedding, her coworkers give her gifts and treat her to lunch. Ralph gets a bonus from his employer, but when he calls Grace to arrange a date for that evening, he harbors a secret disappointment. His male friends have ignored the occasion. He has to stop by his friend Eddie's house to pick up a suitcase he is borrowing, and then he will travel into Manhattan to see his fiancé that evening.

With the wedding so near, Grace finds she still doubts her choice of a husband. Her sophisticated roommate Martha has been quick to point...

The Best of Everything | The Best of Everything

At a glance:

The Story

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