I spent the entire day engrossed in reading this. However, it just doesn't seem to work for me. Even his widely anthologized piece, "A & P", failed to capture my interest.

I understand that John Updike is a highly regarded author, and perhaps I'm just not in the right frame of mind to appreciate his works at the moment.

Nonetheless, I'm still willing to give him another chance. If the opportunity presents itself, I'll definitely try reading his Rabbit books one day.

Maybe then, I'll be able to see the brilliance that others have seen in his writing and finally understand why he is considered such a great author.

Until then, I'll continue to explore different works and authors, hoping to find that one piece of literature that truly speaks to me.

Each of these stories is truly a gift. They possess a Salter-esque quality, and you are well aware that this is my highest form of compliment.

That being said, I am currently on page 350 out of a total of 850. So, it is highly likely that I will be engrossed in reading this until Christmas. However, this does not matter in the slightest. It is most definitely well worth the time invested. Here's to the Updike Binge '13!

Update: Indeed. I am still reading, and the book remains just as great as ever. The stories continue to captivate my attention and draw me further into their unique worlds. I can't wait to see what lies ahead in the remaining pages. It's been a wonderful literary journey so far.

I’ve kept this book on my nightstand for the past several years, and I pick it up from time to time. Updike writes prose that is truly gorgeous. His protagonists, almost exclusively men, admittedly, are deeply flawed and complex. They come alive on the page, while his female characters often don’t.

It’s a difficult problem to figure out, though. To what extent is the author aware of this trend? At times, this sort of objectification seems to be a deliberate product of the protagonist’s perspective. These are stories of narcissistic men who view others only as satellites in their orbit.

His stories, which are like little snapshots of life, have a unique way of capturing elements of the human experience on a very granular level.

One strange thing worth noting about this anthology is that the stories are organized thematically. I would have preferred to read them in chronological order so that I could better appreciate the author’s progression in style and the subjects that interest him. Also worth noting are the stories featuring the Maples, a hilarious, bickering petit-bourgeois couple living in a well-to-do suburb of Boston. If this thick book seems intimidating, I would recommend picking up a volume of just those stories.

I was engrossed in reading the remarkable story "Pigeon Feathers" by John Updike this morning. It dawned on me that the situation of young David Kern, the protagonist of the story, wasn't all that dissimilar from that of young Kamal in Mahfouz's "Cairo Trilogy", particularly in the second volume, "Palace of Desire".

Not surprisingly, both texts were penned within a decade of each other. Mahfouz wrote in the early fifties and Updike at the beginning of the sixties - of the last century. Each, in part, explores the theme of how a young man contemplates faith and issues of spirituality.

In Updike's work, there is a slightly greater emphasis on death. However, the matter of faith and its loss, or the process of moving beyond it, is central for both young men. In each case, the boys are well-versed in their respective faiths. Kamal has committed a significant portion of the Qu'ran to memory, and David is attending bible lessons in Sunday School.

But the knowledge of their beliefs seems to inspire a spiritual rebellion in each of them. One that is not sought after but occurs nonetheless. In David's instance, his very questions to his pastor seem irreverent, at least in his imagination. Meanwhile, we witness Kamal engaged in an internal battle within his own mind, his inner dialogues questioning the nature of the world and spirit.

It is truly striking that in this century, in cultures separated by thousands of miles, one in the heart of the United States and the other in northeastern Africa, these two young men are depicted as facing similar spiritual issues and each, in his own way, moving in the opposite direction. David, through his encounter with the barn pigeons, has his faith in the eternal strengthened, while Kamal gravitates towards a study of philosophy that appears to lead to a rejection of his faith.

This comparison between the two characters offers a fascinating glimpse into the universality of the human experience when it comes to grappling with matters of faith and spirituality.

I don't know.

Maybe he is just the greatest writer who ever lived.

His works have touched the hearts of countless people around the world.

With his unique writing style and profound insights, he has created many masterpieces that have withstood the test of time.

His words have the power to inspire, to move, and to make us think.

From his vivid descriptions of characters and settings to his complex and engaging storylines, every aspect of his writing is a work of art.

Whether it is a tragic love story or a thrilling adventure, he always manages to draw us in and keep us on the edge of our seats.

Perhaps it is his ability to capture the essence of the human experience that makes him so great.

He shows us the beauty and the ugliness, the joy and the pain, and in doing so, he helps us to understand ourselves and the world around us a little better.

Who knows? Maybe he really is the greatest writer who ever lived.

I truly, deeply, and passionately love John Updike. The Rabbit series is most likely among my top five favorite books.

However, within this collection, there are approximately 200 short stories. After reading around 80 of them, I became extremely exhausted with the same three recurring themes: infidelity, aging, and marriage.

To be honest, I don't believe I can bring myself to read Updike again for the next five years. It's as if I've been overexposed to these themes and need a long break.

Perhaps it would be best to approach his works in small doses from now on. That way, I can savor and appreciate each story without getting burned out so quickly.

This experience has taught me the importance of pacing myself when it comes to reading. Sometimes, even with an author I love, too much of a good thing can become overwhelming.

John Updike's stories are truly remarkable, and this collection is a very good representation of his unique style, keen observations, and unwavering honesty. Each story is a masterpiece in its own right, filled with rich characters, complex emotions, and thought-provoking themes.

Updike's writing is a real pleasure to read. His prose is smooth and flowing, yet also precise and detailed. He has a gift for bringing his characters to life on the page, making them seem like real people with real problems and desires.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Updike or a newcomer to his work, this collection is sure to delight and inspire you. It is a testament to his talent as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in all its beauty and complexity.

Great stories!

As I was reading, I could sense the gentleness of Chekhov, a touch of the artfulness of Nabokov, and the sincerity of Salinger. The realness was there, similar to that of Salinger, yet different - a different aspect of it. I had the urge to say that this is what Chekhov might have written if he had lived in the US a little later in time. However, it's not quite that simple. Chekhov would undoubtedly have proposed some moral or ideal, like "to work" (which always made me cringe).

By no means are these stories imitations. They are completely authentic, fresh, and very unique.

Some of the especially good ones include: "Pigeon feathers", "Friends from Philadelphia", "The Happiest I've Been", "The Christian Roommates", "A Gift from the City", "Unstuck", "Plumbing", "Leaves", "The Morning", "The Astronomer", and "The Hermit".

Each of these stories has its own charm and offers a different perspective, making the collection a truly engaging and enjoyable read.

I have a deep affection for A & P, which I had the pleasure of reading during a short fiction class in college. That experience was so captivating that I firmly believed I should explore other works in the same genre.

Given that this is a collection of short stories, I anticipate that it will become a constant companion throughout my life. Each story within this collection holds the potential to transport me to different worlds, introduce me to unique characters, and evoke a wide range of emotions.

I look forward to delving into these stories, one by one, and uncovering the hidden gems and profound insights that lie within. It's like embarking on a never-ending journey of discovery, where every page turn brings a new adventure and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

With this short story collection by my side, I know that I will always have a source of inspiration, entertainment, and intellectual stimulation. It's a treasure trove that I can return to again and again, finding something new and wonderful each time.

Although there are numerous astonishing short stories in Updike's collection, most of my favorites stem from the section titled, "The Tarbox Tales." A&P is by far my top pick as Sammy is such an honest character, and Updike superbly portrays the mind of a teenage boy in this narrative. Instead of critiquing the book as a whole, I elected to concentrate on one specific story.

“IN WALKS these three girls in nothing but bathing suits,” is perhaps one of the most remarkable opening lines to a story I have ever encountered. John Updike writes with such humor and wit that one can't help but chuckle. In A&P, he omits not a single description; everything is detailed, from the types of items available at the A&P to the kinds of people who frequent the store, mostly sheepish individuals muttering grocery lists to themselves. Sammy notices every minute detail about the three girls who walk in, in a way that is both provocative and respectful simultaneously. He is careful to mention, as does his coworker Stokesie, that they are nowhere near a beach, so girls wearing only swimsuits are bound to attract a crowd by default. Updike flawlessly captures the life of a bored teenager like Sammy, with such angst. Sammy knows the ins and outs of one thing, and that is working at a grocery store, more specifically, at the A&P. At only nineteen, living in a small town where not much occurs, he is so bored with his life that he treats his job like a game, making it evident that he desires more from it than simply being a cashier at the local A&P. Updike elucidates Sammy's boredom with such vivid imagery and playful sounds that one can almost hear the arcade that Sammy constructs in his mind. The aisles of the store are like the slots on a pin-ball table, and he plays guessing games about where the customers will show up next. “The whole store was like a pinball machine and I didn’t know which tunnel they’d come out of.” The cash register is a musical instrument, “Hello (bing) there, you (gung) hap-py pee-pul (splat).” For a character as bored as Sammy, these three girls are the highlight of his day, perhaps even his week. As he looks at them, he studies them. Updike employs the kind of language that any teenage boy with promiscuous thoughts and tendencies would use. When Sammy looks at these girls, he is thinking of one thing, their bodies, but really he is only interested in one of the girls, the prettiest one, the one he calls “Queenie” because she seems to lead the rest of the group. For some reason, she holds a special interest for him. “I uncrease the bill, tenderly as you may imagine, it just having come from between the two smoothest scoops of vanilla I had ever known were there, and pass a half and a penny into her narrow pink palm, and nestle the herrings in a bag and twist its neck and hand it over, all the time thinking.” A&P is replete with descriptions, but what I appreciate most about this story is that the narrator is relating the story in the present, so he already knows how it will end. Throughout the story, Updike divides it into sections of what will transpire next, for example, “Now here comes the sad part of the story,” “Then everybody’s luck begins to run out.” I typically don't care for these types of transitions in a story, but Updike integrates them seamlessly with Sammy's character, and they don't feel out of place but rather flow with the story. The realization at the end, where Sammy attempts to be the hero to the girls, is what ties the story together. “I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter.” This sort of epiphany functions well as it simply reminds us that sometimes we have to do things like work at the A&P.

\\"A&P\\" is one of my favorite short stories ever.

It presents a vivid and engaging narrative that takes the reader into the world of a young cashier named Sammy.

The story is set in an A&P supermarket, where Sammy witnesses a group of girls walking in wearing only bathing suits.

This simple event引发了一系列复杂的情感和思考 for Sammy.

He becomes intrigued by the girls and their carefree attitude, which stands in contrast to the mundane routine of the supermarket.

As the story progresses, Sammy makes a decision that will have consequences for him.

He quits his job in a moment of defiance, hoping to make a statement and show the girls that he is different.

However, he soon realizes that his actions may not have the outcome he expected.

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

It also delves into the power dynamics between individuals and the impact of social norms.

Overall, \\"A&P\\" is a thought-provoking and well-written short story that continues to resonate with readers.

Stories:

Eros Rampant
In this captivating tale, Eros, the god of love, is depicted as being in a state of wild abandon. His power spreads far and wide, causing hearts to race and passions to flare. People from all walks of life find themselves succumbing to the irresistible force of love.

Sublimation
The concept of sublimation takes center stage in this story. It shows how individuals can transform their base desires and emotions into something more noble and refined. Through the process of sublimation, they are able to rise above their instincts and achieve a higher level of spiritual and emotional growth.

Together, these two stories offer a fascinating exploration of the power of love and the potential for personal transformation. They remind us that love can be both a wild and uncontrollable force, as well as a catalyst for growth and self-improvement.