Customer Reviews

In The Beauty Of The Lillies

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"In the Beauty of the Lillies" begins when minister in turn of the century New Jersey loses his faith, suddenly and ominously concluding that "There is no God." Shorn of their moral compass, his family then spends generations descending into the hell of modern American materialist society. Although some family members achieve material success, they all are essentially unhappy, and never realize that this is because they have no faith in God.

Updike has a fine command of history and theology to compliment his mastery of English prose. The minister's story is a deliberate antithesis to Jacobus Arminius, a theologian at the University of Geneva in the late 1500's. Arminius was studying non-Calvinist writings in order to bolster Presbyterianism. Instead, he ended up being swayed. Today, we call denominations that believe in the ecumenical nature of salvation 'arminian.' Updike's minister is a Presbyterian who studies athiest tracts to refute them and ends up instead renouncing a faith which at the time was well-known as the "frozen chosen." Updike chronicles the family's journey through four generations and ends with a strange renewal of faith. Updike, deliberately, puts aside the sarcasm and humor that he wields so well in "A Month of Sundays" and "The Coup." What remains is one of the best novels of the late 20th century, a serious work on faith and American society.

This is an excellent read. Note however that the first 50 pages or so drag, as Updike plunges into the development of his characters. However the payoff arrives in the 2nd and 3rd (of 4) chapters with a moving and realistic portrayal of young people growing up in turbulent times. Yes, the 1st and 4th chapters have religious overtones, lending a certain symmetry to all that occurs in between...you may or may not buy that. And yes, the lengthy timeline detracts from the development needed to morph his characters over and into different time periods. And yes, the 4th chapter, right out of Koresh and the Branch Davidians seems a bit goofy (as I suppose it should anyway)..but what the heck..I couldn't put the book down!! Enjoy.

How does the great-grandchild of a Presbyterian minister end up a gun-toting member of the True and Actual Faith cult? The failed faith of Reverend Wilmot in turn of the century Paterson, New Jersey creates a fault in the family psyche that slips in a grand earthquake finale, complete with apocalyptic human bonfires. These inquiries into the spirit of things begin and end the novel, as Reverend Wilmot feels his calling slipping away and as his great-grandson finds a home and a faith with mountain dwelling religious society. And who fills the pages between? A Hollywood movie star, a disabled woman in Delaware, a lonely New York homosexual, and a Colorado ore baron. The range of Updike's novel, while admirable, costs the book some necessary depth. The lists of relevant movies, streets, historical figures and world events do not effectively create a sense of place or time. Rather, they add to the sense of frenzy and disintegration that is an unfortunately accurate representation of our current world. Worth the wade.

John Updike gives us an especially well-researched novel following various generations of a particular family. The first chapter follows an 1880's pastor named Clarence at the point that he realizes that "there is no God." We see him struggle with the fact that he went from an exalted member of the community to a place of disgrace and poverty. Very intersting! When Clarence dies at the end of the first chapter (of four), the book follows the exploits of Teddy, the shy, akward, un-ambitious son. Teddy is not your typical protagonist, which makes the second chapter excellent reading. Chapter three follows "Alma" Teddy's daughter and a Hollywood movie star. About the middle of Alma's chapter the book becomes quite different. I found it was no longer an enjoyable read. In the final chapter, we follow the exploits of Alma's (and some rock star's) son, Clark (active in the 1970's-1990's). Clark's chapter is so cliche it's almost laughable. I'll try not to give away parts of the plot, but Clark ends up joining a Waco-type cult (continuing with the religion theme). As I've mentioned, Alma's and Clark's sections are not even worth reading in the opinion of this reviewer, but the first two chapters are excellent. What started out as a great book, deteriorated into someting pathetic. Or did Updike intend this as a commentary on modern society? It is well researched as several events (such as the strike in Clarence's chapter) did take place, but the end seems very sloppy. You have to judge if this is deliberately so as a social commentary.

This book realistically and perceptively examines the social trends that some sum up as "post-modern." An insightful look at life and faith in the 20th century.

An engrossing novel that captures the spritual, economic, moral turmoil of this century. The book's historical structure struck me as unlike Updike's previous work, but at the same time his historical chronology is unlike anyone else's because of the beauty and precision of his language. I couldn't put it down.

More prosaic than usual for Herr Updike. I find slathering in the mud of disbelief in God and defeatism in life rather depressing...Much prefer his life (or at least sex) affirming books like Memories of the Ford Admin, Brazil and Afterlife

Endlessly rich, reaching depths of pathos beyond that of even the Rabbit novels. This book gorgeously traces the strands of four generations of a family, and Updike's handling of the passing of time and the shifting of generations is delicate and beautiful.

One of the high points is the Essie section which is brilliantly written; it starts from the perspective of a seven-year old, with the narrative written in the manner of a seven year old. As Essie gets older the narration as well matures, yet there are still the echoes of the childlike narrative, particularly when religion comes up. Of course this is reminiscent of the Portrait of the Artist... but unlike that book, this is a delight to read. Also I dont think the final part was cliche: lots of the characters in the last part were necessarily cliche, but that' because they were religious maniacs. Updike's style (the important thing) however is never cliche, and the subject matter being covered in a novel is also not cliche. As the generations go on the lives become messier and messier as all the characters seem to be anxiously finding a way to deal with Adult Unhappiness. Updike throughout piles on the gloom almost suffocating the reader. I am surprised he isn't compared to Virgina Woolf (only at her best) more often for the delicacy of his prose and the astounding negativity and bitterness toward life are something they both share. Life the enemy.

Life in this novel (for all the generations) is most often seen as an awful burden, heavy baggage that must be borne untile death. The escapes from this burden and the consolations of the toil are few and scarce. Profoundly uncomfortable or out of place in the world, aging quickly and hating every minute of it, or throwing your life away, seeking death because there is no reason not to, are some of the paths the characters trod. It seems at times that the only hope for achieving some moments of peace is in seeing movies, taking drugs, becoming a religious fanatic, sleeping, daydreaming, and finally dying. Have mercy.

In the Beauty of the Lillies is a multi-generational family novel, focusing on one member of each generation. Two of these characters are not typical of literary family novels: a child who grows up to be a successful actress, and a cultist involved in a Waco like incident. Updike manages to make both of these "sensational" characters credible and understandable. In fact, in terms of characterization, I believe "In the Beauty of the Lillies" is comparable to the Rabbit series, although it loses something with its more diffuse focus. In other respects, this novel does not measure up to other Updike efforts. At times Updike goes overboard with descriptive phrases, yet there are fewer of those wonderfully deft analogies/metaphors which always grace his work, such as (from "Lillies"): "a metropolitan surf as incessant as the sea's", referring to city noise. "In the Beauty of the Lillies" is meant as a novel of social history, but too often the history consists of enumeration of details. Having said all this, while "Lillies" is not Updike's best novel, it is still very good. Warning: some readers may find the first section, about the minister, slower moving than the rest of the novel.

Nobody appears to have written here about the death of Mr Updike. I was saddened by the news. It is a great loss to the literary world. Silenced are the beautiful "sequined words" as somebody put it, a great master of the English language.

Even though John Updike did not believe in God, I hope God believed in him and welcomed him with open arms.