September / Updike Reading: "Rabbit, Run"

[Scheherazade]

In September, we are reading Rabbit, Run by John Updike:

Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity. Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.

Synopsis:

It's 1959 and Harry Rabbit' Angstrom, one time high school sports superstar, is going nowhere. At twenty-six, he is trapped in a second-rate existence - stuck with a fragile, alcoholic wife, a house full of overflowing ashtrays and discarded glasses, a young son and a futile job. With no way to fix things, he resolves to flee from his family and his home in Pennsylvania, beginning a thousand-mile journey that he hopes will free him from his mediocre life. Because, as he knows only too well, after you've been first-rate at something, no matter what, it kind of takes the kick out of being second-rate'.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rabbit-Run-P...8860191&sr=8-2

Book Club Procedures

[Nightshade]

Started it about pg 19. so far Im thinking its reminding me of Anne Tylers Saint MAybe that I had to read for an RL book club the year before last. This comparision may annoy me.

[applepie]

I just got my copy today so hopefully I'll be starting in the next day or so. I'm also reading The Awakening again, so I may try to finish that first.

[Virgil]

I started last night, but i was so tired I only read a few pages.

[Baron]

I'm new at this. The Amazon summary sounds interesting. I have been reading mind candy all summer, so guess I should check out Rabbit, Run.
Baron

[Virgil]

I'm about 20 pages in. Does anyone think that Updike over describes? It seems excessive in parts. But I did like the description of Rabbit playing basketball. Here's a paragraph which I particularly liked:

There is no response, just puzzled silly looks swapped. Rabbit takes off his coat, folds it nicely, and rests it on a clean ashcan lid. Behind him the dungarees begin to scuffle again. He goes into the scrimmaging thick of them for the ball, flips it from two weak grubby-knuckles child's hands, has it in his own. That old stretched leather feeling makes his whole body go taut, gives his arms wings. It feels like he's reaching down through the years to touch this tautness. His arms lift of their own and the rubber ball floats toward the basket from the top of his head. It feels so right he blinks when the ball drops short, and for a second wonders if it went through the hoop without rifling the net. He asks, "Hey whose side am I on?"

Excuse any typos. I hand typed it. Despite saying that the ball is leather at one point and then calling it a rubber ball (is that a mistake?), this really captures a moment of experience very well. I really liked that.

[papayahed]

Doh! I meant to stop at the library after work.

[arabian dream]

I love to join your book club and read John Updike novel Rabbit, Run but unfortunately I can't find his novel in bookstore in my country Qatar.
I tried to order it from amazon.com but unfortunately it is need one week more in fact I cant waited one week to begin read Updike novel because in 13 September I have to fast from food water from sunrise until sunset this is my religious command of Islam.

I hope you enjoy reading and I will try to join your book club next month.

[Virgil]

Who's reading? Anyone out there reading Rabbit, Run? I'm enjoying it so far. Other than at times excessive description, I think the writting is quite good.

[jlb4tlb]

I am about 100 pages into it, not really sure how I feel about it yet. The writing is quite good. Does anybody but me sense a certain amount of homophobia in it?

[Virgil]

I am about 100 pages into it, not really sure how I feel about it yet. The writing is quite good. Does anybody but me sense a certain amount of homophobia in it?

Don't know how old you are Jib, but considering homosexuality a perversion was the prevailing attitude of the time.

[jlb4tlb]

Don't know how old you are Jib, but considering homosexuality a perversion was the prevailing attitude of the time.

Quite true Virgil, The book has been in print for 47 years now. But I am older, turning 52 this week.

[Virgil]

Quite true Virgil, The book has been in print for 47 years now. But I am older, turning 52 this week.

I thought you were a teenager, Jlb. Sorry. You're older than me. Hey, I haven't welcomed you to lit net. Hope you enjoy it here.

[jlb4tlb]

I thought you were a teenager, Jlb. Sorry. You're older than me. Hey, I haven't welcomed you to lit net. Hope you enjoy it here.

Not a problem, not many of us older folks in this forum. Thank You for the welcome.

Jeff

[applepie]

Who's reading? Anyone out there reading Rabbit, Run? I'm enjoying it so far. Other than at times excessive description, I think the writting is quite good.

I'm going to start soon, honest. I'm finishing The Awakening, and then I'll be on to reading this one. I have the book and all. I just need to sit and read a little. Hopefully I'll start this week.