Hoping someone can help me...

I am hoping that someone will be able to help me. I was given The Centaur by John Updike to read for an American Literature class. I consider myself to be fairly intelligent, but I am having a great deal of difficulty getting through this book. The way that Updike switches between George and Chiron back and forth, along with the mythlogical references just keep me confused. For one, I don't have much of a background in mythology, so that doesn't help my situation. I have read up on the myth of the centaur to try to gain a better understanding, but it didn't seem to help much. In short, I would greatly appreciate if someone could help me to better understand the story: the overall message, what chapters that I need to really study and make myself understand, etc. Thank you in advance to those of you that are willing to help.

I'm sorry I've not read the book, and you're probably thinking why the hell are you replying - maybe i can help anyway. Firstly - it sounds as if you don't want to read the book and just a few chapter to get the gist - a big no-no. If you didn't need the other chapters to complete the novel they wouldn't be in there!

Second, everytime you come across a reference or something you don't understand - make a list - and look it up. I usually make very brief notes on a small-post it note and stick in the page the reference is made, that way it's all in one place just in case I forget.

Third - study guide - are there any available on the book you're studying? If not look for chapter summaries on the internet which might help but nothing beats reading the novel yourself and making notes.

I'm sure there are other people in your class having the same problem - perhaps organise some sort of study group - with the added bonus of doing 'homework' with the girl/guy you like! Do they still use that cover up? :lol:

Thank you for the advice. I must tell you though that it isn't that I don't want to read the book. I actually greatly enjoy reading and Updike is one of my favorite authors, this story is just out of his niche. This is the only novel that he did in which he gave all characters a different mythological alter ego, the only novel in which he dealt with myths at all. We have been assigned tons of poetry, the novel Too Far To Go by Faulkner, and several short stories thus far for the class - all of which I read all the way through and enjoyed. Reading is a favorite past time of mine, so it is not that I am being a typical lazy student. I am just genuinley having a difficult time being able to keep track of what is going on and figuring out what the important theme or message of the story is. I read somewhere in trying to research this novel that Updike's wife after reading the novel told him that in order for someone to keep track of the real life and mythologial sides of the characters that the readers would need to make an index. That in and of itself should let you know that this isn't a typical read. I do appreciate the advice on making notes as I read along. It still doesn't help me however. Thank you again to anyone who can help me figure this thing out.

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I have not read the book either. I would suggest you use all materials available to you to better understand the book. No doubt there are websites online that provide help with understanding mythological references/allusions and possibly also the switches between characters.