I didn't like this book. I can honestly say I don't "get" Updike. There were lots of tersely poetic little sentences and very unique metaphors - I mean it's obvious the guy can write and has style, but his protagonist (Harry Angstrom) is just boring. If you want to read an interesting first-person account of a life then read The "Great Gatsby" or even Irving's epic "The World According to Garp" (Which by the way sports a fairly good does of sardonic humor for those of you who are so inclined).

Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate Rabbit or even "judge" Rabbit like a lot of other people who didn't like this book did - I just didn't think that Harry Angstrom (as a character) ever did anything compelling enough to warrant writing a novel about. Maybe that was Updike's point? Considering it took me nearly three weeks to get through this sub 300 page novel I think I'll be steering clear of Rabbit, Redux Rabbit at Rest and the rest of the gang.

Please if anyone can help shed some light on Mr. Updike, I don't want to completely write him off since he is so esteemed. Did he ever write anything compelling that wasn't about Mr. Harry Angstrom?