This American author is celebrated for his penetrating explorations of the American middle class, examining their faith and mortality with exceptional craft and prolific output. His distinctive voice delves into the complex interrelationships between sex, faith, and death, capturing the nuances of human experience. With a keen eye for detail and a masterful command of language, his extensive body of work offers profound insights that continue to resonate with readers.
Fifty-six and overweight, Harry Rabbit Angstrom has a struggling business on his hands and a heart that is starting to fail. His family, too, is giving him cause for concern. His son is a wreck of a man and his wife has decided that she wants to be a working girl. He has to make the most of life. After all, he doesn't have much time left.
A Library of America Special Publication
The book captures the iconic moment of Ted Williams' final at-bat at Fenway Park on September 28, 1960, where he hit a memorable solo home run. This poignant event symbolizes the culmination of an illustrious baseball career and resonates deeply with fans, marking a significant chapter in sports history. The narrative delves into the emotions and legacy surrounding this legendary player, celebrating his impact on the game and the unforgettable farewell to a beloved figure in baseball.
The third and fourth novel in John Updike's acclaimed quartet of Rabbit books -- now in one marvelous volume. RABBIT IS RICHWinner of the American Book Award andthe National Book Critics Circle Award"Dazzlingly reaffirms Updike's place as master chronicler of the spiritual maladies and very earthly pleasure of the Middle-American male."Vogue"A splendid achievement!"The New York TimesRABBIT AT RESTWinner of the Pulitzer Prize andthe National Book Critics Circle Award"Brilliant . . . It must be read. It is the best novel about America to come out of America for a very, very long time."The Washington Post Book World"Powerful . . . John Updike with his precision's prose and his intimately attentive yet cold eye is a master."The New York Times Book Review
Newly revised by the author for this edition, and printed together in one volume for the first time, Updike's four Rabbit novels chronicle the history of a man and a nation from the 1950s to the 1980s. Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom, athlete, is Mr Middle America. Dazzling in style, tender in feeling, often erotic in description and coruscating with realistic details which recreate a world in each novel, these books give a complete picture of their age.
The collection features a diverse array of nonfiction pieces that reflect Updike's youthful ambition and keen observations of midcentury America. It includes parodies, personal essays, and notable works like "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu," capturing Ted Williams's final game. Updike also offers evocative memories of his Pennsylvania childhood and insightful critiques of literary figures such as Nabokov and Salinger. This blend of humor, nostalgia, and literary analysis showcases Updike's emerging voice and establishes him as a significant critic of his time.
Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism, Hugging the Shore is an enormously intelligent, witty collection of essays by John Updike. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist sheds keen light on everything from the first kiss to going barefoot to the world's greatest writers. First time in paper.
"in John Updike's second collection of assorted prose, mostly picked-up pieces of his writing for The New Yorker during the 1960s and early '70s, we find the author coming into his own as a book reviewer"--P. [4] of cover.
The collection showcases John Updike's reflections on art, faith, and culture, beginning with a self-portrait that reveals his introspective nature. It features diverse essays on topics like Peanuts, Mars, and Cole Porter, alongside vivid scenes from early Massachusetts. Central to the volume are his insightful book reviews from The New Yorker and illustrated writings from The New York Review of Books, highlighting his unique blend of criticism and personal commentary. This work captures Updike's literary legacy and his profound engagement with the world.
This rich collection of John Updike's more recent essays, critical writings and reflections has something to say about almost everyone and everything - from sexual politics to spiritual matters to unopenable packages.
