Rabbit Run is the first of five John Updike “Rabbit” novels, all of which focus on their central character Harry Angstrom. In Rabbit Run, Harry Angstrom is a star basketball player in high school and that was the best time of his life. Now in his mid-20s, his work is unfulfilling, his marriage is moribund, and he tries to find happiness with another woman. But happiness is more elusive than a medal, and Harry must continue to run—from his wife, his life, and from himself, until he reaches the end of the road and has to turn back....
The winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and several other accolades for his dry, sulky novels John Updike has become a legendary American author.
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Add a CommentI hated it.
Keanu Reeve's recommended - "So fantastic."
Miserable characters, but amazing prose. Not sure how I missed John Updike all these years.
Right, so Updike is NOT for me, that's clear. I found Rabbit's views and comments on the world depressing and anger-inducing (not rage-inducing because I couldn't raise enough sympathy for the victims of his contempt to get that upset about what he thought of them) and couldn't continue reading those thoughts past page 50. At least I know now and won't continue to wonder whether I'd enjoy the story of 'Rabbit' Angstrom.
This copy of Rabbit, Run fell into the river. Please charge my account for my being unable to return this book. Thank you.
I think this book should come with some kind of disclaimer. My son is a huge fan of rabbits, and I thought this would be a great book for us to read together. But there are no rabbits in it! It's just about some jerk named Rabbit. Once again, there are no rabbits in a book called "Rabbit Run." What a sham!
I'm halfway through this AMAZING novel. I'm really enjoying it! Updike is such an astounding writer...I imagine the story swimming around in my head as I read his words on the page....such vivid language and top-notch storytelling. Recommend.
A companion to Revolutionary Road in showing how 60s suburban America was the most luxurious of oppressive prisons for anyone that was slightly above average. I picked this up for $1 at the library book sale because it’s on the Radcliffe 100 Best Novels List.
Marriage before living together is a formula for unhappiness, and when Rabbit runs it’s not so hard to understand why. But when he essentially only runs next door, and stays away but not out of sight, sympathy thins. Rabbit’s wife Janice doesn’t get a voice in the story except for when she is drunk. Rabbit is that much of a dick that he allows his minor-character hooker a voice in his story but not his major-character wife.
Updike pours out gorgeous unpunctuated sentences that lead you on a trail – a trail where you must force yourself to read slowly so you don’t get lost. He can’t keep it up forever though, and the style becomes average right around the same time I start getting tired of Rabbit. A vigorous start, and while I’d like to find out what happens to Rabbit in the next three books, I don’t think I could read about that asshole any more.
One of the great characters of 20th century American literature, Harry Angstrom stumbles through life and relationships, starting here in 1950s suburbia.
A classic of 20th century American literature. Entertaining on a superficial level but also an intriguing look into 1950s middle-America. Updike uses complex metaphors to link sex and religion in a wholly unique way. Highly recommended, thought not for those with prudish tendencies.