Faith ultimately bursts into flame as Updike's major new novel, charting the lives of one family through four generations, shows readers an America...
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Aug 19, 2011
Jee
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It is a tour-de-force, a novel that telescopes 80 years of American history through the lives of four characters. A Presbyterian minister who loses his faith. A young man who fears the world and so settles for the routine of mail delivery. A Hollywood star. A joiner of a religious cult. What connects them is family, for the cult follower is the son of the Hollywood star, who is the daughter of the mailman, who is the son of the minister. Through these four generational representatives, Updike tr
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Mar 10, 2009
Christy
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I think the concept of a book which chronicles the lives of four generations of one family is a good one, though not new. And in the case of Updike's writing, which focuses on describing the minutiae of a setting in order to authenticate it, it can be dazzling, wearying.
The book begins with Clarence Wilmot, a Presbyterian minister in 1910 New Jersey who becomes aware one afternoon that he is an atheist. His ethical sensibilities compel him to resign, though he has no other trade and More...
The book begins with Clarence Wilmot, a Presbyterian minister in 1910 New Jersey who becomes aware one afternoon that he is an atheist. His ethical sensibilities compel him to resign, though he has no other trade and More...
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Oct 25, 2009
Richard
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I began this book on page 163.John Updike is a
wonderful writer, with keen powers of
perception and description. I have read most of
his novels, and a smattering of book reviews
and essays. When he died earlier this year I
re-read some of his earlier work (the Rabbit
series, the Bech series, the Maples stories),
but never this one.
But to get back to page 163: "The girl dressed
in a sl More...
wonderful writer, with keen powers of
perception and description. I have read most of
his novels, and a smattering of book reviews
and essays. When he died earlier this year I
re-read some of his earlier work (the Rabbit
series, the Bech series, the Maples stories),
but never this one.
But to get back to page 163: "The girl dressed
in a sl More...
Mar 10, 2009
Justin
rated it:
With Updike's recent passing, I decided to tackle the lone remaining unread Updike book on my shelf (I've previously read the Rabbit books, Couples, Witches of Eastwick, Museums and Women, and Of the Farm.)
Lillies ranks near the bottom of these Updike books, but that's not to say it wasn't enjoyable.
The book traces four generations of the Wilmot family:
It begins with Clarence, a preacher who gives up his faith; moves on to his youngest son Teddy, who finds relative happiness l
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Oct 30, 2010
Andrew
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Date: October 12, 2010
By: Andrew C Bolender
In the Beauty of the Lilies
By John Updike
491 pp. New York
Alfred Knopf, Kindle Edition
“In the Beauty of the Lilies” Book Review: Decoding the Ambiguity
Throughout his novel, “In the Beauty of the Lilies,” John Updike encapsulates the senses with an exhaustive utilization of imagery. In many cases, the setting has so much concision in its definition, one might find their subconscious fully immersed in the description of t More...
By: Andrew C Bolender
In the Beauty of the Lilies
By John Updike
491 pp. New York
Alfred Knopf, Kindle Edition
“In the Beauty of the Lilies” Book Review: Decoding the Ambiguity
Throughout his novel, “In the Beauty of the Lilies,” John Updike encapsulates the senses with an exhaustive utilization of imagery. In many cases, the setting has so much concision in its definition, one might find their subconscious fully immersed in the description of t More...
Jul 30, 2011
Alan
rated it: 
This book is the answer to the question: "Does religion cause more harm than good?" And the answer is yes - more harm. Updike creates 4 generations of Wilmots beginning with the great, grandfather from Paterson, New Jersey, who quits his job as a minister because he no longer believes in God. It is a disastrous decision for him and his family because the community cannot accept a non-believer. The great-grandson, Clark, joins a Branch Davidian-type religious commune and ends up bei
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Aug 22, 2011
Steve
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A story about four generations of an American family, starting with a Presbyterian pastor who loses his faith all the way down to a confused young man who joins a cultic commune.
John Updike gets a real believable feel for the turn of the twentieth century all the way to the nineties of our generation. He even talks about the professors of Princeton Seminary like B.B. Warfield. (I think John Updike is the only literary writer I know who can talk about infralapsarianism and hyperlapsaria More...
John Updike gets a real believable feel for the turn of the twentieth century all the way to the nineties of our generation. He even talks about the professors of Princeton Seminary like B.B. Warfield. (I think John Updike is the only literary writer I know who can talk about infralapsarianism and hyperlapsaria More...
Jun 10, 2009
Seanandchristie
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This was a choice of our bookclub in memoriam of John Updike's death last year. I realized that I had never read one of his books and although this one was daunting because it was so long, I was glad that bookclub took me out of my normal comfort zone.
The first section of the book was very wordy and descriptive, so much so that I was not sure if I would even continue reading it. However, once the vantage point of the story changed to that of the son, I was suddenly intrigued and could no More...
The first section of the book was very wordy and descriptive, so much so that I was not sure if I would even continue reading it. However, once the vantage point of the story changed to that of the son, I was suddenly intrigued and could no More...
Jan 27, 2012
Diane
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This book traces four generations of an American family over the 20th century. It begins with a Presbyterian minister who loses his faith, moves on to his son and grand-daughter (a Hollywood star), and ends with his great-grandson joining a cult. The book combines rich character development with a sweeping history of 20th century America. The writer is full of observations about 20th century America, and he finds sharp and pithy ways of presenting these insights. My one reservation was I tho
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Jul 03, 2011
Cindy
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Well-written and tragic story of four generations--each character trying to find themselves but not doing a very good job of it! With the exception of Essie, these characters either make no choices or simply fall into agreeable circumstances through no effort of their own. Great characterizations and attention to detail in weaving in the Hollywood theme and other contemporary elements.
I love that Clarence sells encylcopedias for a time. I still recall our set, including the dark wo More...
I love that Clarence sells encylcopedias for a time. I still recall our set, including the dark wo More...
May 02, 2009
Kristine
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Updike illuminates a vision of the twentieth century and the impact on succeeding generations in a family of the loss of faith of CLARENCE, a minister in a small town in the early part of the century. The book illustrates the values influencing all-- Clarence's son Teddy who fathers a daughter who is captivated by acting/Hollywood and who gives birth to a son neglected/raised by his Hollywood actress mother -- the son's search for meaning ends in the late 20th century. Lots of history and movie
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Mar 14, 2010
Vera
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First John Updike book I've read, and probably the last. It started out promising, although depressing, describing a minister's loss of faith and the effect it had on his life and entire family. The high point was the section about his son Teddy, and the love interest with a club foot who he met in the small town they moved to when the father dies. He was a likable character in an affable, bland kind of way. But everything goes downhill from there. His daughter, Alma, becomes a vapid, self-cente
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Jan 27, 2008
Rebecca
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This is the first Updike novel I read, and upon reading, it was apparent to me what incredible mastery of the English language Updike has. I was totally impressed by his use of words to describe scenery, thoughts, feelings, people, everything. Beautiful, clean sentences. Compact thoughts that linger over the paragraph. A story of four generations in an east-coast American family, the reader rides the waves of nostalgia gliding along impressively guided by the pull of Updikes wordsmithing. T
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Oct 30, 2011
I'm glad I picked this book up used. I love Updike generally and this was no exception. It was different than his themes in other books I've read (like Couples or the Rabbit books) in that he followed a family through three generations beginning in the early 1900s, describing their faith or lack thereof (not necessarily in God) and the society in which each of the three main characters lived. I was captivated by his themes, rather than his characters or drawn into the plot (not a plot-driven boo
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Dec 12, 2011
fersher
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I really enjoyed this book. It is divided into 4 chapters, each focusing on different generations of the Wilmot family. It was difficult to get through the first chapter because I found it to be very boring, but once I did I really started to like the book and its characters. For anyone who likes stories about family and how we are tied together (whether we like it or not) should give this book a try.
Aug 13, 2009
Cynthia Karl
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 18, 2009
Marvin
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A story of the fate of religious faith in the 20th century, from a Presbyterian minister's loss of faith at the turn of the century, through the myth-making power of cinema at mid-century, to a radical, cultlike faith in the 1980s. It's Updike's usual grand sweep, only more so, along with his perceptiveness about the passions of white, middle-class American males (like me), only more so, & particularly less of his usual preoccupation with sex.
Jan 05, 2011
Gabriela
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This was my first exposure to Updike and I loved his writing style and rich use of metaphor. He is amazingly detailed in his historical descriptions too--I was amazed at his knowledge of Presbyterian history for instance. Like most people, I liked the first half of the book better than the second, but I still thought the whole novel was cohesive and powerful.
Jan 19, 2011
Katelyn
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I picked this as an introduction to John Updike because I had read it was one of his most theological novels. Themes of doubt and secularization are certainly prominent, and are explored in a clever, engrossing way. Yet I was more intrigued by the structure: the sprawling family epic covering the entire 20th century, one of social disintegration and confusion, embodied in the preacher-turned-atheist Clarence and his progeny. I had difficulty with Updike's seeming obsession with sex (he's been de
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Oct 13, 2010
Chrissie
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John Updike and I have never quite gotten along. I want to love him. But I find I only like him.
This book has four sections. The first one was really really slow to get going. I liked the middle two a lot (I would have given those four stars). I started to like the last section. But then it went completely off the rails bizarro. And with it my four-star rating.
This book has four sections. The first one was really really slow to get going. I liked the middle two a lot (I would have given those four stars). I started to like the last section. But then it went completely off the rails bizarro. And with it my four-star rating.
Oct 22, 2009
Hrpattlsp
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I was new to Updike when I began reading this- his prose style and descriptive abilities are amazing. So much visual imagery-and analogies that really pull you in. Updike has an ingenious way of telling the story through the various characters' voices and moving it along through the eyes and experiencesof different generations of people.
Aug 26, 2008
Phil
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Updike is a writer who, frankly, just leaves me in awe. A brilliant mind working with the complexity of human relationships. He shows no interest in trying to dumb everythig down into a pseudo-Faulkner dream scape. Updike reveals life as people actually live in the un-pretty-fied world, within different social groups, over long periods of time. He's unbelievably detailed in his research and able to give the reader the perspective of so many diverse characters, with no superimposed judgement..
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May 05, 2011
Deborah
rated it:
Rambling, untidy and sentimental--probably too long.
Late Updike, published in 1996. It was recommended because it is about a Presbyterian minister who stops believing, which appeals to me; and 2) there are lots of references to places in Delaware, where I reside. Those drew me in, but he didn't keep my interest.
Late Updike, published in 1996. It was recommended because it is about a Presbyterian minister who stops believing, which appeals to me; and 2) there are lots of references to places in Delaware, where I reside. Those drew me in, but he didn't keep my interest.
Oct 16, 2010
Mortalform
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Having trouble getting totally into it despite being intrigued with in the first dozen pages. Probably my lack of sitting down to read more than three pages without distractions. Also cool connection to the BBC's "The End of God?: A Horizon Guide to Science and Religion". I do so love intertextuality! Enjoyed the way the pacing changed as focus shifted from character to character.
Aug 29, 2011
Patty
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Updike is a very wordy author and sometimes difficult to plow through. Loved the characters, their interelationship and the spanning of four generations. Interesting use of religion and movies as a backdrop to explore the changing times and each individuals development.
Dec 06, 2009
Dave
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I still think of this book a decade after reading it. Great historical tapestry of the 20th century, tracing a family from its failed minister and book salesman progenitor to his great-grandson who ends up in something like the Branch Davidians. Good fun all around.
Feb 03, 2011
Jenny
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If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. This is the first John Updike I have read. His style is heavy - extremely descriptive with sentences that sometimes take up an entire page. I have heard that his Rabbit books are more accessible, and since I liked this book I will read those next. I am not very interested in film or old movies, so the book's central theme of connection for the characters (movie industry) didn't keep my interest. But, I always love a book where I come away with a very deep
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Mar 30, 2009
Marie
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I read this for book club, or else I never would have stuck with it, but am I ever glad that I did! It spans 4 generations and Updike takes us through a century of moral and technological changes intertwined with these lives.
Apr 22, 2010
Richard
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John Updike’s New Jersey-Delaware opus is stunning. The grand master was able to produce original, high quality work, even in his late period. Inspiring work from a class act. Richard ( www.richardcmorais.com )
Apr 15, 2008
Lisa
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An interesting book. I don't think he dealt with the God issue as much as he could or as much as he hinted at in the onset of the novel. However, the characters certainly test the limit of your patience. There isn't one character that does not carry a hint of realism - you can't like everyone or anyone all the time no matter how much you love or admire that person! Some characters you want to give a piece of your mind to. Others you'd like to lead from the morass that they've fallen into. Still
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