News broke today that Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Updike (left) has died of lung cancer at the age of 76.
It's definitely a sad day for me because although I didn't grow up when Updike's fiction boom occurred in the 1960s and 70s, which included the "Rabbit" series of books such as starter "Rabbit Run," I still counted him as one of my literary inspirations and often find my own work being colored in his realistic yet tonally sly and smirking depiction of American life.
Now I never read "Rabbit Run" because as I've said many times, the only fiction I read is Agatha Christie, but I often indulged in his short stores, which were slices of life so sharp and moving you sometimes put the book down in the middle of a story and wondered if the man was sitting behind you. I first encountered Updike when I was assigned his short story "A&P" for English class in high school. As I was wont to do, I only read the novels or stories I wanted in high school because I couldn't be but so bothered, but I read "A&P" and loved it.
The voice of the narrator as he chronicles like in and outside the supermarket was clear yet not flowery nor was it beyond a character of that age; it was totally informed. In particular, that story has greatly influenced my writing along with "The Catcher in the Rye," which are two pieces of fiction every young boy, gay straight black white, should read, oh add "Invisible Man."
Later on, when I was in college, I was in the middle of a full-on nervous breakdown (had about three a week, gah) when I heard that Updike was going to be giving a reading to promote his recently-released short story collection "The Early Stories: 1953-1975," which I possess and treasure. I had been excommunicated from our college newspaper (longest story ever) so I couldn't write about his visit or interview him and had no friends to even go to the reading with (that's not true, it's just the depression talking), but dragged my teary butt to the crowded auditorium alone to hear him read one of his stories from the book and speak.
There were no seats when I arrived so I crouched on the floor, my head against the wall, crying, listening to John Updike read. It was wonderful. He stayed to sign copies but I couldn't bring myself to ask. I don't regret that because a signature would pale to what he has given the literary community and anyone who has enjoyed his work. Plus, I'm sure he would have thought I was a crazy person.
Read and/or loved Updike, let me know.
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7 comments:
Hey Junior! I find it interesting that someone who writes so well doesn't read much fiction. And yes, I can see how you'd be so influenced by his writing style: you both have a sort of scathing, yet sly and humorous, view of American life and pop culture.
The death of Updike is a bit symbolic of a death that is happening in American literature in general: the ability to lose oneself in world that is not exactly unfamiliar, because it's our own, but uncover the perfectly normal abserdities that live and function within it.
When I was in school teachers would always encourage us to read as much as possible, basically anything you can get your hands on. I don't know if that's good advice anymore. Reading has traditionally been a great way to increase ones vocabulary and pretty much self educate. Updikes writing, and his comtemporaries, assumed the the readers were already educated, either traditionally or from the School of Life, and wrote to reflect that. Much of modern fiction is sadly pretty dumb down, almost assuming the reader is already DUMB! That's a disservice to our society.
This is a topic close to my heart: I grew up with learning disabilities and reading for me was an escape, it was also an integral part of my education. Great literature allowed me to feel "SMART", and that included John Updike, J.D. Salinger, Truman Capote, etc. pulling me into their world.
Rest in peace John...
I have to admit that I have never read anything by him. I can imagine how exciting and wonderful it would have been to get to hear him read and get a signing tho. Getting to experience an admired writer or artist is very special.
I am reading thru the books of A.M. Homes, discomforting as they are.
I don't recall Updike in particular, but I am creating a list of authors to read, and from your recommendations I will add his writing. I value your opinions. I’m glad you have such a wonderful memory of him. Thank you for sharing.
For me the miracle of writing and reading is an extension of life itself. I believe if I write, then some part of me will live on. And when I read, I connect with the author. It is amazing to me sometimes to think of Dickens or Poe or O’Henry and know that they made a living writing serials, which were published in magazines. Today we watch writer’s work on TV, but never think about the author and sadly never get to know the genius behind the writing.
I grew up poor but my Mother always stressed, "if you can read it, you can learn it." Which has proven to be an awesome asset in my life. While others can't (or won't) read directions, I will and usually succeed.
Also, I would mention that my mother was pulled out of school in the third grade. Mother taught me what she knew from the kindergarten books, but as I got older, I then became the teacher. We would read together, and she would ask, "What is this word, Honey?" It is such an interesting time from my life. I remember being closer to her then, than almost any other time.
Bunnilove and Ermine – I always appreciate your contributions. I sense a well developed and rich personhood in the two of you.
Hey everyone! Group hug because I'm literally still a little saddened by Updike and then all of your comments are so beautiful! There's no way I would ever have a nervous breakdown with you guys around.
Hi bunnilove! Yes, it is strange that I don't read more. It's not that I don't like it, it's just I don't ever do it by instinct. And I know I need to now before American fiction especially goes completely down the tubes!
Hi ermine! Yes, it was one of those moments that I remember perfectly. He was funny and charming and So Smart it was scary. It was a really great night.
And Dale, thank you for telling us all that beautiful story. Reading and writing is literally the first thing I ever realized I wanted to do. When I was five I would pull off to the side and just write. I've had other dreams since but writing is the one thing I've always done and never get tired of. I'm glad that you get so much pleasure out of it too!
It def shows in your hilarious comments!
Wow, Westernnc, thank you so much for a wonderful thing to say. I'm truly touched. Are you from the South? I'm from New York, but was raised by a southern family, with that southern sensibility of self-education, self sufficiency, and hard work.
How right your mother is: if you can read it, you CAN learn it. And in addition, if you can say it, you can write it. Oh, I don't necessarily mean in the physical sense, but that you possess the beauty of thought. From reading, you learn. From learning, you find your voice.
How endearing your story is about you and your mother: it reminds me of how my father, a Texan by birth, would call me and ask, "How are you,Baby?" And then want to know if I've read or learned anything new.
Westernnc, I too appreciate your well thought contributions.
bunnilove, thanks for fostering commentator-to-commentator relations! I love giving everyone a place to share! And do share everyone because I love reading it!
Hea Bunnilove!
Yes, I was raised in the South. Born in Ohio, but transplanted at the tender age of 9. My Mother and her family is Southern to the core. Dad was born North of the Mason-Dixon, a first generation immigrant from a German father and an Irish mother.
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