"S" A Novel by John Updike (Hardcover)

by John Updike (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (1988)
• ASIN: B000ZVA4TG
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #424,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars S. is a Parody of Herself and Her Times, June 9, 2009

By	B. Brody "Fairbanks Reader" (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This may be the only book by John Updike that I really like. Usually, I abhor his writing and his themes. This book is an extraordinarily literate account of feminism, religion and yuppieness. The novel is partially modeled on the Oregon Swami sex commune.

It is the story of a shallow woman who leaves her physician husband to join a commune. The plot is relayed through letters and tapes that she mails to family, friends and business acquaintances. In these mailings she discusses her old and new life and one winces at the awful lack of her insight and depth of any sort. The irony of it all is that she thinks she is truly a soul-searching ever-sensitive pilgrim on life's true path.

When I'd think that Updike had dealt the final blow and had shown what a truly despicable person and circumstance was in front of me, he'd just be rounding a corner and would throw another dart zeroing in at another abhorrent character flaw or circumstance. His writing is wonderful and his characterization and sense of place and person perhaps the best I've ever encountered. His juxtaposition of eastern and western religions, feminism and dependency, and his examination of values in several contexts makes this book a real gem.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nutty, intelligent, impressionable woman kept me entertained, May 9, 2009

By	James B. Martin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If I'd read a review that said "flaky society woman juggles marriage, divorce, life on a commune, Eastern religion, isolation, sexual experiences, driving others crazy..." I'd have not bothered reading "S" as I'd figure that this kind of story could only be hatched in some flaky grocery checkout counter tabloid. Problem: I've gotta tell you that this book was one of my most enjoyable reads. In "S" John Updike crams so much humor, wit, knowledge, speculation, wisdom and surprise into every paragraph that I couldn't put the book down. The wacky S -- Sarah -- hurls herself into situations that normal people wouldn't even think of doing. Book is also a depiction of Indian "religion" at its worst.