Stories are very dated,

and his language got old so fast.

It seems that the tales he tells belong to a bygone era, lacking the freshness and vitality that modern audiences crave. The words he uses have lost their luster and have become as dull as an old coin.

Perhaps it is time for him to update his storytelling techniques and embrace new language styles. By doing so, he can breathe new life into his stories and make them more relevant and engaging for today's readers.

After all, in a world where everything is constantly evolving, it is essential to keep up with the times and adapt to change. Otherwise, one risks being left behind in the dust of history.

Adulterous longing, death obsessions, driving on the highway in 60s cars and picking up hitchhiking sailors: if these are your subjects, then Updike is your man (and, I mean, man).

I read many of these stories in high school for some reason and clearly did not understand them at all. Re-reading them some (cough cough) years later, I find that I perhaps understand them too well.

I am impressed by their artfulness and the bravery of some of the rawer pieces (esp. from "Pigeon Feathers"). The exhaustion with consumerism feels as relevant today as it could have earlier. However, so many of the attitudes about marriage, women, white racial anxiety, and so on are so dated that the characterization suffers.

It's harder to see Updike as the chronicler of the relatively liberal, cosmopolitan suburban middle-class anymore--no matter how many outposts still look and sound like this. These have become period pieces, kind of Jamesian in a way. They work stylistically and show his signature closing ironies off to particularly good effect, but I am not sure that these stories really speak to the present any more. They were contemporary, but now they are not.

Perhaps we should view Updike's works as a snapshot of a bygone era, a time when certain attitudes and values prevailed. While they may no longer resonate with us in the same way, they still offer valuable insights into the human condition and the social context of the time. We can appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating these stories, even as we recognize their limitations.

In conclusion, Updike's stories are a complex and fascinating body of work that deserve to be studied and appreciated for their many virtues. While they may not be as relevant today as they once were, they still have much to teach us about ourselves and the world we live in.

John Updike's works are truly remarkable. With over 100 stories and a total of more than 800 pages, his collection is a treasure trove for readers. Each story is a masterpiece in its own right,展现了Updike's卓越的文学才华. He was a master of the short story form, able to craft intricate plots and develop complex characters in a relatively short space. His writing is细腻入微, capturing the essence of human nature and the subtleties of relationships. Whether it's a story about love, loss, or the challenges of modern life, Updike's words have the power to touch the heart and make the reader think. This collection is well worth reading, not only for its literary value but also for the pleasure it brings. It is a must-have for any lover of good literature.

After I finish reading one of these stories, my wife will sometimes inquire, "So, what was it about?"

"Well," I would reply, "This fellow returned home from work," or "a couple had a friend over for dinner."

Although the plots in these stories may seem insubstantial, it is the detail that truly makes the difference. It's somewhat similar to our own lives. As one of the stories puts it, "Just a piece of turf torn from a meadow becomes a gloria when drawn by Durer. Details. Details are the giant's fingers."

Updike's stories are replete with these details. They have the power to transform the simplest of events into something magnificent and beautiful. I find myself increasingly paying more attention to the details in my own life. This was precisely his objective. In the introduction to this collection, Updike speaks of sitting in his one-room office above a restaurant. He smoked nickel cigarillos while painstakingly crafting stories on his typewriter, piling up the empty boxes on his desk. He makes this comparison: "I felt that I was packaging something as delicately pervasive as smoke, one box after another, in that room, where my only duty was to describe reality as it had come to me--to give the mundane its beautiful due."

**1st Edition, Signed by Author**

This is a truly remarkable item - a 1st edition of a book, signed by the author himself.

Owning such a piece is not just about having a copy of the book, but it's like having a direct connection to the mind and creativity of the author.

The signature on the page adds a unique and personal touch, making it a one-of-a-kind treasure for any book lover or collector.

It's as if the author has left a little piece of themselves within the covers of this book, waiting for the reader to discover and cherish.

Whether it's displayed on a bookshelf as a centerpiece or carefully read and enjoyed, this signed 1st edition holds a special place in the world of literature and collecting.

It's a tangible reminder of the author's journey and the impact their words have had on countless readers.

So, if you're lucky enough to come across a 1st edition signed by the author, don't hesitate to add it to your collection.

It's a rare and precious find that will surely bring joy and satisfaction for years to come.

I can't believe how long it has taken me to get around to Mr. Updike. It seems like an eternity has passed since I first heard of his works. But now, I am supremely glad I have finally delved into his literary world.

His writing is like a beautiful tapestry, intricately woven with words that paint vivid pictures in my mind. Each sentence is carefully crafted, filled with depth and meaning.

I find myself completely immersed in his stories, experiencing the emotions and thoughts of his characters as if they were my own. Mr. Updike's ability to capture the essence of human nature is truly remarkable.

As I read his works, I am constantly amazed by his creativity and his unique perspective on life. He has a way of making the ordinary seem extraordinary and the complex seem simple.

I am grateful to have discovered Mr. Updike and look forward to exploring more of his literary treasures in the future.

A & P, slight as it may seem, is one of the best stories ever written.

It may appear to be a simple tale on the surface, but upon closer examination, it reveals profound themes and masterful storytelling.

The story takes place in a small A & P grocery store, where the actions and decisions of the characters unfold.

The protagonist, Sammy, is a young and observant cashier who experiences a moment of awakening and rebellion.

Through his interactions with the customers and his boss, we see the power dynamics and social norms at play.

The story also explores themes such as adolescence, sexuality, and the search for identity.

The vivid descriptions and细腻的 characterizations make the story come alive, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world of the A & P.

Despite its brevity, A & P manages to pack a powerful punch and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

It is a testament to the skill of the author in creating a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, A & P is a literary gem that deserves to be recognized as one of the best stories ever written.

It is rather silly to have this particular item on my "currently-reading" list.

The truth is, I will most likely be "currently-reading" it for the next five years.

I can only manage to get through one or two stories at a time.

This book seems to be a never-ending task.

It's not that it's not interesting, but rather that my reading pace is so slow.

Maybe I should set a goal to finish it within a certain time frame.

Or perhaps I should find a more efficient way to read and get through the stories quicker.

Either way, having it on my "currently-reading" list for such a long time is starting to feel a bit ridiculous.

I need to figure out a solution soon.

Well worth the effort.

This simple phrase holds a profound truth.

In life, we often encounter challenges and obstacles that make us question whether the effort we are putting in is really worth it.

However, it is precisely through these difficulties that we grow and learn.

Every effort we make, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goals.

It is like building a house, brick by brick.

Each brick represents the effort we invest, and together they form a strong and stable structure.

Moreover, the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving something through hard work is truly invaluable.

It gives us a sense of pride and confidence, and motivates us to strive for even greater things.

So, the next time you find yourself doubting whether your efforts are worth it, remember this: every effort counts, and it is all well worth it in the end.

This is an extensive collection of stories penned by an extremely talented writer.

Each and every one of them is a dense and rather difficult read.

When it comes to a sentence-by-sentence analysis, Updike is astonishingly precise and detailed in whatever he is discussing.

I found myself grappling with the task of processing what I was reading.

I felt a sense of overload, yet still remained interested.

I believe I liked them because I have a penchant for figuring things out.

It's as if the complexity of these stories presents a challenge that I am eager to take on and solve.

Despite the initial difficulty, the more I delved into them, the more I discovered the hidden gems and nuances within.

Updike's writing style is truly unique and captivating, even if it requires some extra effort on the part of the reader.

At 103 short stories and 833 pages, this collection is truly a big, fat, glorious smorgasbord.

It's not a mere selection, as Updike emphasizes in the forward. Selections usually pertain to the works of writers who have passed away. Instead, this is a collection of marvelous fictional accounts, which are really poetry, written on a manual typewriter for The New Yorker between 1953 and 1975.

Updike describes it as "A heedless broad Mississippi of print, in which my contributions among so many others appeared." These stories served a readership, a particular demographic era that has now passed into history. All those birch-shaded Connecticut mailboxes received, week after week, William Shawn's idea of entertainment and instruction.

The first checks, in modest hundreds, added up and paid for his first automobile. Without it, he would have had to walk. He would have existed, no doubt, in some form, but not the bulk of these stories.

He found great joy in rereading them, though the joy comes moment by moment rather than month by month. There is also no lack of affection and goodwill among the characters caught in the human plight, the plight of limitation and mortality.

Art hopes to evade mortality through feats of attention, harmony, and illuminating connection, while perhaps enjoying, at best, a slower form of mortality. Paper yellows, language becomes old-fashioned, and revelatory human news turns into general social wisdom.

The real America, to him, seemed "out there." That's where he belonged, immersed in the ordinary, which careful examination would reveal to be extraordinary. In a one-room office he rented in Ipswich, between a lawyer and a beautician, above a cozy corner restaurant, his only duty was to describe reality as it came to him, to give the mundane its beautiful due.

This is it. As good as it gets. It's the culmination of months of reading, sipping sentences, breathing them in, savoring each one, and rereading them to more fully ponder and absorb Updike's craft. You just don't rush a book like this. Because anything remotely similar simply doesn't come along except on the rarest of occasions.

I don't think I can get through this soon.

It's a whopping 800+ pages long.

Just the thought of having to read through all those pages is quite overwhelming.

I wonder how long it will actually take me to finish this.

Maybe I should break it up into smaller sections and take it one step at a time.

But still, 800+ pages is a lot to handle.

I'll have to really focus and make a conscious effort to sit down and read regularly.

I hope I can stay motivated throughout the process.

Otherwise, I might end up giving up before I even get close to the end.

Well, only time will tell how this goes.

I guess I'll just have to buckle down and get started.

Wish me luck!