The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit

Last autumn, I read Sloan Wilson’s book, The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit. I wasn’t impressed.

The story goes something like this: Tom Rath has difficulty adjusting to civilian life after serving his country in World War II. He and his wife, Betsy, struggle against mounting debt, pressure to conform and general malaise. They need a bigger house, bigger car and better raises in order to fit in with their friends. Adding to the pressure, Tom had an affair with an Italian girl during the war. Can he keep his wife from discovering the truth about his illegitimate child?

I read this book on David Halberstam’s recommendation. He devoted a number of pages to it in his book, The Fifties. Halberstam describes how the book hit a nerve with World War II vets and their families. He believes that it accurately portrayed American life during the 50s. Illegitimate war babies, the boredom of civilian life, and economic pressure weaved its way into the fabric of American society.

While the book probably captured the spirit of family life back then, I found it difficult to get through. The ending threw me, and not in a good way.

Most importantly, aspects of the book have become cliché. How many books published in the 50s featured men working in advertising?

How many had wives in the background, nagging the main character?

When the stories featured the workplace, the relationship between boss and worker always has a military feel to it. Worker is usually not friendly with the boss, and usually does not question a superior’s request (order).

Upon thinking about these qualities, I can only surmise that life in the 50s was largely shaped by the warrior culture. The conformity, gender roles, and authoritarian perspective must have lapsed into civilian life… Far more than I originally thought.

(A side note: Halberstam’s book is amazing. I can’t recommend it enough – especially as a secondary source for book collectors. I’ll discuss Halberstam’s book in more detail soon.)