''Life At The Top'' is the third novel by the English author

John Braine John Gerard Braine (13 April 1922 – 28 October 1986) was an English novelist. Braine is usually listed among the angry young men, a loosely defined group of English writers who emerged on the literary scene in the 1950s. Biography John Brain ...

, first published in the UK by

Eyre & Spottiswoode Eyre & Spottiswoode was the London-based printing firm that was the King's Printer, and subsequently, a publisher prior to being incorporated; it once went by the name of Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & co. ltd. In April 1929, it was incorporated as E ...

and in the US by Houghton Mifflin & Co. in 1962. It continues the story of the life and difficulties of Joe Lampton, an ambitious young man of humble origins. A 1965 film adaptation of the novel was made starring Laurence Harvey.

Plot summary

It is ten years further on from when last we learned of Joe's life in '' Room At The Top''. He now has everything he thought he wanted – the upper-class wife, an executive job, two cars and two children for his new house. Yet, Joe is still a dissatisfied man – his job had not moved significantly forward in the last ten years. This dissatisfaction leads him back to his old philandering ways – spurred on by the knowledge of his wife's own infidelity. Joe and Susan separate temporarily but, towards the novel's close, Joe is drawn back to his life in Warley in response to trouble with his children and his knowledge of what his life needs. 1962 British novels British novels adapted into films Eyre & Spottiswoode books Novels by John Braine Sequel novels {{1960s-novel-stub