Customer Reviews

Rabbit Angstrom (Everyman's Library Classics S.)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read the first Rabbit book as a student in 1969...in common with many readers I grew up (or at least grew older) along with Harry Angstrom, going through the decades with him in Rabbit Redux, Rabbit is Rich and finally Rabbit at Rest. Like Rabbit I've done my fair share of running, of trying to cope with getting older, families, jobs, expectations and exasperations. In many ways he's not a likeable character, but I've always found him kind of comforting. Maybe it's just the thought of someone making a bigger mess of things than I've done. Nelson and Janice are the ones I feel upset for - they seem to me to be the real victims of Rabbit's genuine inability to be anything more than he is. Updike's writing is just masterful; whether dealing with potential or actual tragedy (small-scale, but tragedy no less) or just with the everyday ups and downs of this 20th Century everyman's life, he conjures up images so real they would surely be dimished by any movie that was made of these books. Each book is a landmark in itself; together in this collection they constitute one of the most important bodies of work in contemporary fiction. Even if that were not the case, I would still strongly recommend the Rabbit novels to anyone for the sheer enjoyment that comes from reading them.

I have to admit it: finishing this 1500 page tome, which consist of the four Harry (Rabbit) Angstrom novels, each longer than the one before it ("Rabbit Run," "Rabbit Redux," "Rabbit is Rich," and "Rabbit at Rest"), gave me a sense of accomplishment. Updike is a truly great writer, but his prose can be ponderous at times, particularly in "Rabbit Run." Some of these characters, including Rabbit himself, can be quite frustrating, especially over the course of four books.

Updike's placement as one of the greatest American writers of the last half of the twentieth century, stems from, I believe, his descriptive abilities, whether it be describing the flora in a garden, typical patter on a golf course, sexual scenes, or an angioplasty procedure. The books are spaced ten years apart in time, and Updike does a nice job setting each in the context of its time, although I'm not so sure these novels work as a "time capsule" in that the characters are only peripherally involved in, or concerned with, the seminal events of those eras. Most of the characters don't really change all that much, with the notable exception of Janice, Rabbit's wife, whose character blossoms with each consecutive book. Rabbit, himself, always remains sex and death obsessed, understandably more of the latter as he grows older. He does grow on the reader, though, even after making one poor choice after another. In "Rabbit at Rest," we finally see Rabbit have a relationship based on pure love: that with his grand-daughter Judy.

If you're interested, I reviewed each book separately on this web-site, giving "Rabbit Run" three stars, and the other three books four stars. I believe that consolidating all four into a single volume was worthwhile, since there are so many references to past incidents of which which the reader would not be aware, unless s/he has read the prior Rabbit novel(s). Based on the events that are recalled, sometimes it seemed as if Rabbit has spent his life in a cave, only to emerge every ten years for a few months to experience some traumatic event chronicled in the four books that comprise this series.

Updike's introduction is very interesting, in that he's surprisingly revealing about his sources and inspiration. He even provides self-critique and analysis, which is quite rare amongst authors of this caliber.

I am new to Updike, just finished the 4 Rabbit novels. I was astonished at the writing in these books. The ability to describe common scenes of ordinary life, the continual observations that ring true and make you nod your head while reading put John Updike above any other author I've read.

In my opinion, the best of the Rabbit novels are the first and last. Rabbit Redux was a letdown and the story was not very believable. A couple of things worth mentioning - these novels have a lot of profanity and a lot of explicit, even kinky sex scenes - adultery, swinging, it's all there. Some folks may be offended, despite the great writing.

One thing that took some getting used to - the author often makes very interesting, profound, humorous comments where it's not easily identifiable as coming from the author/narrator or the character. These observations/asides are what really makes the books so terrific. Rabbit himself is a pretty dull guy and it's Updike's genius that makes his story so compelling. There's a line toward the end of the last book that seems to sum up Rabbit as a man. This comment is obviously from the narrator: The smell of good advice always makes Rabbit want to run the other way.

It's great to have the four Rabbit novels as a collection in one book. HOWEVER, the type in this collection is lighter than normal, making it difficult to read and the weight of the printed pages is very flimsy. Had I to do it over again, I would buy the four Rabbit novels individually from used book sellers.

This is one of those remarkable works that presents itself as the limited tale of one limited person, geographically restricted [in this case (except for one aimless car trip) to small patches of Pennsylvania and Florida], yet utterly universal. Well, universal for men that is; I won't purport to speak for women.

What you should know if you don't already: Updike wrote each of the "Rabbit" works as one decade turned to the next; and each time he was approximately the age of the main character. We watch as the author immortalizes little truths about our nation at fixed times in history -- presidentially, these times are late Ike, early Nixon, mid-Carter, and Bush the First. Another thing to know is that there is no film made from any of these 4 works to screw around with the rich imagery with which the author provides us. And keep in mind the effect of binding 4 works together: the works become like the memories of a single person, all contained within one head even though some are happy and some are sad, some triumphal and some minuscule; here, each of the four works was received differently upon its own publication; National Book Awards and Pulitzers were won or not; sales were good or not; reviews were glowing or not. But the whole bound volume is about one individual from 1959 to 1989. The process of nearing the end of a book about the late 60's and knowing you can immediately follow all the same characters into the 70's was one that enthralled me, just as the stupendous writing did.

As for the writing, I won't add much to the other reviews. For myself, I know that I continue at odd moments to "see" my own mental image of Rabbit or Nelson or the young women who shared the house with them at different intervals; or to envision the country club in Pennsylvania or the sailing incident in Florida or Nelson's wife and her painful confession.

Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom (his first name utterly anglo-american, his last name indicative of a microscopic physical distance, and his nickname reminiscent of an animal known for reproductive prowess that is sometimes kept as a lovable pet and sometimes shot for food or otherwise) is not likable and his acts are sometimes unforgivable. People cheat and people die and it may be his fault. But our author shows us the people in his life liking him and forgiving him. The paradox is presented beautifully. Think about it.

You know how you get hooked on a TV show and can't stand the wait between episodes? You envy the folks who wait for the whole season to come out on DVD and then get to indulge in a viewing orgy. That's how I feel about those of you just getting introduced to Rabbit (Harry Angstrom) and the back to back pleasures that await you.

Your reading experience may be fundamentally different from mine though. We meet Rabbit in the first novel as a 26-year-old, and in each of the three sequels, published a decade apart, he ages "real time", i.e. about 10 years. So please excuse me for waxing a bit sentimental. Witnessing Rabbit's march through four decades as I made my own way through the same years, at the same pace, is part of what made those novels resonate so deeply and so intimately for me.

Even for the Rabbit newbie, the novels are still a must-read. Updike is as detailed and effective as an episode of "Mad Men" in transporting the reader to a place and time, and he can create characters so real they start making appearances in your dreams. He is at the top of his game in the Rabbit novels. By the last book you'll swear you have actually passed through Brewer PA, the fictional setting of the novels, and that you played golf with Harry just last week.

But Updike's writing is entirely void of sentimentality, and his observations are brutally unblinking. By the conclusion of Rabbit Run, Harry's foolishness has brought his life to the brink of collapse, but don't expect a story of personal growth and ultimate redemption - Updike would never be so trite. Harry is the same impulsive, narcissistic child running away from his problems in the 90's as he was in the 60's. But we as readers are changed. Surprisingly, we find ourselves acquiring a genuine affection for this selfish man who meanders through the decades, mindless of the pain his free-wheeling antics often cause his loved ones. With Harry, we become a better person than we thought we could be - one who can see the whole of a person - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and be grateful for all of it, grateful for Harry. This is a gift rewarded only to those patient enough to read four novels to receive it.

Happy reading! And don't forget "Rabbit Remembered", the 5th, a novella, in the series. It's as good as the first four. I can't believe there won't be any more :(

Like most dedicated readers, I read at breakfast, in bed and many places in between. The format of "Rabbit Angstrom -- the four novels" is physically impossible! Can't hold the book in bed, impossible to eat and read -- the format is just wrong. I have never thought about the size and shape of a book before -- and how shape and size influence the pleasure of reading. This book is too narrow and too thick to be a pleasure to read. Amazon would do well to find another source - The Everyman's Library format does not lend itself to a four novel set. Too thick, too narrow,too heavy. Never before have I found the "shape" of a book to be important. But it is. This is a book to put on a shelf, not a book to read and re-read.
When Updike died, I realized that after Rabbit Run, I had no idea what had happened to Harry. So, I went to Amazon and learned that the shape of a book matters -- not as much as it's contents -- but almost. A four volume boxed set of paperbacks would have meant a great deal to my reading pleasure. I will now buy each of the "Rabbits" as a single volume to re-read at leisure - because Updike is worth it!

For anyone who has yet to discover these extraordinary, sad. poignant, hilarious novels about the lives of middle class Americans in suburbia, I have this to say: I envy you.

These four novels, each written a different decade (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s) do more than capture the spirit of their era. They mark the changes in our neighborhoods, politics, entertainment and sports.

At the center is Harry Angstrom, a high school basketball star who never finds his niche in life. Harry is selfish, insensitive, yet also heart-breakingly sincere and a kind of protypical American romantic.

These books also are quite [nice] and have some of the best descriptions of sex I have read. And people have this picture of Updike as some boring WASP writer. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nothing comes close in the annals of modern literature to the Rabbit series. This is the book everyone should own. Well, every biting narcisist with no particular views, and with a major messianic complex. So, 99% of the population should own this book. There are SO many levels in this maelstrom of contemporary American culture, subculture, conture-culture, and pop culture. To find out more about the books, read the individual reviews, but bear in mind this is THE definitive edition, with an enlightening essay that works as an overture to the grand epic, along with the insertion of several passages editited from earlier volumes. BUY THIS BOOK, if you're ready. This is the closest any prose really gets to art. More relevant than ever, Rabbit will change your way of thinking about life. Two weeks after reading this book, if you wake up shaking, sweating from fear and paranoia over whats happened to your life over the years, you have Mr. Updike to thank. Then take! a breath, and dive back into the book on a second-wind. Be prepaed to laugh, cry, and most importantly meditate on the impact of this book; be ready to experience the Life and Times of Mr. Rabbit Angstrom, a character as deep as life itself.

There is always that sad feeling at the end of a great character-based novel. It's as if you just got to know and love someone and they vanish. This series is spectacular for so many reasons, but I particularly love how well I know Rabbit by now (I'm in the 3rd book), as if he were a friend of many years. Updike does an impressive job of weaving details throughout the entire series that makes the reader understand, and believe.