I'm going to do a multi episode series on Updike's Rabbit novels on why podcast; I feel that RABBIT IS RICH is the greatest in the series if I can say such a thing. It is a real treat to hear how you approach his work here. There is so much nonsense written about Updike and you dispel a lot of that stuff here. Thank you!
I appreciate how you differentiate between Rabbit's misogyny and the views of the author. Such care and sensitivity in analysis should be the norm, yet is precisely what is lacking in the modern world. Great review. I watched an author interview that piqued my interest.
My favorite book, really stoked the fires of my quarter life crisis outta college (thankfully before I made any of Rabbit’s mistakes 😅). This is a terrific review!
Wow, so glad I found this. I am writing my second novel and the secondary protagonist is like Stanley Kowalski or better yet--Harry Angstrom , and I wanted to know more about his "classic" analogy. And you have nailed it. So great to see someone on here who can give me more than a grade 8 book report.
Just finished the book! Thanks for this analysis very clarifying. His poetic style was very evocative, a little confusing but ultimately rewarding. I just finished the film as well. I also didn’t understand the pascal quote. I was looking for a book that conveyed a sense of American realism and I definitely found that here. Something about the book cover even the style of it popped out at me
I feel that same effect of translation vs native language at times. I don't feel that in the reverse direction for reasons I can't explain. Maybe it's just an expectation thing of know you're going into a translated work.
I spent some time with books and authors that I really love that are in another language recently, and the wish to know what was there, exactly, was a little overwhelming. I think that's why I was grateful in that moment. You guys have a lot of Faulkner! I almost picked up Light In August today at the library but couldn't find a copy.
thepearlreview my guess is the person who checked it out will be sorely disappointed to learn the story about Joe Christmas is not really a Christmas story...
Updike is so rarely discussed on BookTube that this was really interesting. I have to say that I don't agree with you about Updike or The Rabbit books as whole. I think _Rabbit, Run_ is an American classic, but for me it felt like Updike never got far beyond the theme's and the characters in represented in this book. Great review as always.
Actually, I agree with you to a good degree! I think Updike was intentional on making the later three social novels, but he isn't successful at making that central to the them. They seem too character driven, however, I do think it's interesting that Updike *tried* to write about the different decades (I think he includes a black power element and the sexual revolution in the next, then onto cocaine, etc).
@@thepearlreview9236 I think that Updike tried to make the Rabbit series into a kind of social record of the decades that followed _Rabbit, Run_ and that makes them interesting. I have some real issues with those books though. In _Rabbit Redux_ I thought his introduction of an interracial relationship was poorly handled and more prurient than socially progressive and the same with the sexual revolution in _Rabbit Is Rich_ . I would have to go back and read _Rabbit At Rest_ (I'm old enough to have read it when it came out -- yikes) to judge it fairly. Have you read other books by Updike. It is possible that the other titles I read influence my judgment/memory of the later Rabbit books.
@@BookishTexan you know, I haven't read the series in 10 years, and the closest I've got into reading anything else is watching The Witches of Eastwick. But I think that doesn't count. I think I'd have to return to them to give a fair review of the rest
@@thepearlreview9236 That's true for me as well. I don't think I've read anything by Updike for 20 years. It possible my assessment of the is too harsh. But, my only real memories of Redux and Rich are their seeming obsession with sex and its depictions. I don't really remember anything about _Rabbit At Rest_ .This is in contrast to _Rabbit, Run_ from which I vividly remember the tragic scene and other scenes.
Thank you for your excellent analyzing review. I agree, John Updike is/was highly intelligent author. I like many of his novels, short stories and essays.
I'm going to do a multi episode series on Updike's Rabbit novels on why podcast; I feel that RABBIT IS RICH is the greatest in the series if I can say such a thing. It is a real treat to hear how you approach his work here. There is so much nonsense written about Updike and you dispel a lot of that stuff here. Thank you!
I appreciate how you differentiate between Rabbit's misogyny and the views of the author. Such care and sensitivity in analysis should be the norm, yet is precisely what is lacking in the modern world. Great review. I watched an author interview that piqued my interest.
My favorite book, really stoked the fires of my quarter life crisis outta college (thankfully before I made any of Rabbit’s mistakes 😅). This is a terrific review!
Wow, so glad I found this. I am writing my second novel and the secondary protagonist is like Stanley Kowalski or better yet--Harry Angstrom , and I wanted to know more about his "classic" analogy. And you have nailed it. So great to see someone on here who can give me more than a grade 8 book report.
I feel like I am going to read this as I fly across the country.
Just finished the book! Thanks for this analysis very clarifying. His poetic style was very evocative, a little confusing but ultimately rewarding. I just finished the film as well. I also didn’t understand the pascal quote. I was looking for a book that conveyed a sense of American realism and I definitely found that here. Something about the book cover even the style of it popped out at me
You do a very good job of describing this book. I’m little more than half way through this book.
Should Harry save himself (Rabbit), or sacrifice himself (Harry)?
Good review. Though I haven't started reading it yet. I have a bad habit of watching reviews before I read a book. Thanks
Rabbit, Run was bloody fantastic. I'm looking forward to the succeeding novels.
I feel that same effect of translation vs native language at times. I don't feel that in the reverse direction for reasons I can't explain. Maybe it's just an expectation thing of know you're going into a translated work.
I spent some time with books and authors that I really love that are in another language recently, and the wish to know what was there, exactly, was a little overwhelming. I think that's why I was grateful in that moment.
You guys have a lot of Faulkner! I almost picked up Light In August today at the library but couldn't find a copy.
thepearlreview my guess is the person who checked it out will be sorely disappointed to learn the story about Joe Christmas is not really a Christmas story...
@@TheCodeXCantina hahaha!
Very interesting. I’ve read Roth, but no Bellows or Updike (other than the oft anthologized A&P) and I’ve long meant to remedy that.
Thank you!
I think that John Updike should have been rewarded by Nobel P.
Updike is so rarely discussed on BookTube that this was really interesting. I have to say that I don't agree with you about Updike or The Rabbit books as whole. I think _Rabbit, Run_ is an American classic, but for me it felt like Updike never got far beyond the theme's and the characters in represented in this book. Great review as always.
Actually, I agree with you to a good degree! I think Updike was intentional on making the later three social novels, but he isn't successful at making that central to the them. They seem too character driven, however, I do think it's interesting that Updike *tried* to write about the different decades (I think he includes a black power element and the sexual revolution in the next, then onto cocaine, etc).
@@thepearlreview9236 I think that Updike tried to make the Rabbit series into a kind of social record of the decades that followed _Rabbit, Run_ and that makes them interesting. I have some real issues with those books though. In _Rabbit Redux_ I thought his introduction of an interracial relationship was poorly handled and more prurient than socially progressive and the same with the sexual revolution in _Rabbit Is Rich_ . I would have to go back and read _Rabbit At Rest_ (I'm old enough to have read it when it came out -- yikes) to judge it fairly. Have you read other books by Updike. It is possible that the other titles I read influence my judgment/memory of the later Rabbit books.
@@BookishTexan you know, I haven't read the series in 10 years, and the closest I've got into reading anything else is watching The Witches of Eastwick. But I think that doesn't count. I think I'd have to return to them to give a fair review of the rest
@@thepearlreview9236 That's true for me as well. I don't think I've read anything by Updike for 20 years. It possible my assessment of the is too harsh. But, my only real memories of Redux and Rich are their seeming obsession with sex and its depictions. I don't really remember anything about _Rabbit At Rest_ .This is in contrast to _Rabbit, Run_ from which I vividly remember the tragic scene and other scenes.
@@BookishTexan I remember liking certain moments but also having similar thoughts. I'd have to revisit, too
I recommend one read the 4 novels about every decade of their adult life and see if their "take" on the theme/story changes?
Thank you for your excellent analyzing review. I agree, John Updike is/was highly intelligent author. I like many of his novels, short stories and essays.