The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit II

Sloan Wilson’s The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit II picks up where the original left off. It also attempts to rectify the problems of the original.

This time, The Man focuses on Tom Rath’s relationships with women. From 1959 to 1968, Rath juggles affairs, belligerent daughters, loosening sexual mores, and probable divorce.

Once again, the issue is how women are portrayed. The tension between the women and the men doesn’t grow. Instead, it starts at such a high pitch that the reader is left wondering when exactly the women’s movement started. When did the term “male chauvinist pig” become fashionable? To hear Wilson tell it, contemporary readers would think that the movement started in 1961.

Part of the charm of the original book was that the author told the truth about the time period in the time period. This sequel was written in 1983. It is infinitely more self-conscious in its approach to the historical events of the 60s. The result is a book that is heavier in attitude. Characters are symbols.

The dramatic questions pull the reader along. By the end, Tom Rath’s life has radically changed. He, however, has not. At least there’s a completion, and more character development than the original.

The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit II is better than the first, but that may not be saying much…