Play Book Tag discussion
December 2016: Short Story
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A&P by John Updike - 3 Stars
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Charlie wrote: "A good but not great short story about a 19 year old grocery store cashier named Sammy and his encounter with three 'girls' in bathing suits that come into the store leading to a confrontation with..."It's funny that I've never read Updike, though certainly have heard of him. I need to try Rabbit Run. This short story sounds entertaining too.
I need to try Rabbit Run as well. I've never read Updike either.
I like Updike's poetry and I read The Witches of Eastwick. I can't say I liked any of those characters, male or female, very much, but his prose is gorgeous. However, no amount of sterling prose helped me stomach Harry Angstrom. I couldn't finish the first book.
I agree with Jgrace: Updike was a very skilled writer. Unfortunately, he was a misogynist, and this comes through loud and clear in Rabbit, Run. I forced myself to finish it, and I'm glad I did, but I'm done with his Rabbits.
Updike is not my kind of author. He is a skilled writer and his prose is exceptional but I hated his Rabbit Run book got the reasons some of you mentioned. I found his portrayal of masculinity to be very dated for today's standards but probably pretty astute for its time --but I am not a man so it may not have resonated as much with me. That said, I did not enjoy reading about sexist protagonist (whose views of women I suspect reflect Updike's views).
*at the mention of misogyny she removes all Updike from her TBR list*
I have read all of Updike's Harry Angstrom's 'Rabbit' books and think he is a great writer. I'm not sure I've ever really liked any of his male characters and Sammy is no different. It's not that he's bad he's just not anyone's hero even though he attempts to be heroic.
If you haven't ever read Updike I highly recommend you try 'Rabbit Run'. Don't plan on liking the main character, he's despicable, but he's pretty on point as far as the 'common man' goes and Updike's prose is unparalleled.