I think:

He doesn’t regret the life he led. Although Brewer isn’t like New York or Chicago, the kind of town where Sinatra belts it out. What he enjoyed most, in retrospect, and which he didn't know at the time, was standing around in the showroom. Behind the dusty big window with the banners, bouncing on the balls of his feet to keep his leg muscles strong. Waiting for a customer, shooting the breeze with Charlie or whoever. Earning his paycheck, filling his slot in the big picture, doing his bit, and getting a little recognition. That's all we want from each other, recognition. Your assigned place in the rat race.

In the Army too, you had it: your number, your bunk, your assigned duties, your place in line, your pass for Saturday night, four beers and a chance to fuck a whore in a ranch house. Honey, you didn't pay to be a two-timer. There's more to being a human being than having your own way. In fact, it has dawned on Rabbit this late in life that you didn't have a way apart from what other people tell you. Your mother first, and poor Pop, then the Lutheran minister, that tough old Fritz Krupenbach. You had to respect him though, as he said what he believed. And then all those schoolteachers, Marty Tothero and the rest, trying to give you an angle to work from. And now all these talk-show hosts. Your life derives, and has to give. Maybe if your mother was in the fast lane like Annabelle's, you are naturally leery of the opposite sex. We haven't set these kids terrific examples.

And I'm screaming, crying, throwing up.

Way, way too much sex and misogyny.

It seems that in this particular work or situation, there is an overwhelming amount of content that involves excessive sexual themes and a disrespectful attitude towards women.

However, on the other hand, I did enjoy the many pop culture references that were incorporated. These references added an element of familiarity and entertainment for me.

But I am truly mystified by the great ratings and glowing reviews that this thing has received. How can something with such prominent issues of sex and misogyny be so highly regarded?

It makes me wonder if there are other aspects that I am missing or if the standards of evaluation are different for others.

Perhaps there are certain qualities or merits that are more important to the majority of people than the ones that bother me.

Nevertheless, I still find it difficult to reconcile the high praise with the aspects that I find so off-putting.

Updike is an incredibly talented author.

He crafts characters with such precision and depth that the reader feels a profound sense of familiarity with them.

The books are narrated from the perspective of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, and even the tertiary characters become endearing.

Their motives and interactions remain consistent throughout the 40-year span of the Rabbit series.

Rabbit himself is a flawed and very human man.

The likability of the protagonist is debatable, much like the likability of humans in general.

Updike presents Rabbit's feelings, thoughts, and moral compass.

Subsequently, he provides complex descriptions of experience, personal logic, and innermost thoughts.

Without seeming to impose his own views on Rabbit's inner workings, Updike writes about the intertwined forces of emotional impulse and social obligation to conform.

Updike is a master of concise yet incredibly thorough description.

He transforms the ordinary into almost cinematic detail while avoiding boredom.

I adore his writing and love to watch the characters grow and transform throughout the four evocative novels.

The story is about life, presented as it truly is.

There are no over-the-top boiling points or climaxes that couldn't occur in an ordinary lifetime.

The beauty of these books lies in delving into the human psyche, being, and experiencing life along with the characters.

Rabbit Angstrom, once a fallen, philandering, small-town basketball star, has now settled into a rather sour stability. He is a harried husband, constantly dealing with the challenges and demands of married life. He is also a beleaguered father, trying to raise his children in a world that seems to be constantly changing. And to top it off, he is a pushy businessman, always looking for the next deal and the next way to make more money.

If this life seems to subscribe to the stuff of maudlin TV melodrama, it matters little. For by these books, Updike has shifted his focus to the examination of a more colourful and cockeyed character: America itself. We are taken on a long descriptive wave through the oil-obsessed Seventies, as seen in "Rich", and then on to the Reaganomic Eighties in "Rest." These are like pointillist time pieces, with every single socio-cultural instant painstakingly described. Updike's detailed and vivid portrayal allows us to see the changing face of America through the eyes of Rabbit Angstrom, and in doing so, he offers us a profound and thought-provoking commentary on the state of the nation.

Rabbit! So good!

It is truly a remarkable creation. And, bravo to Updike for his masterful portrayal. He has skillfully led us along on this character's winding life journey, taking us through the various ups and downs, joys and sorrows. It is a journey that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The story of Rabbit is not just a simple tale, but a profound exploration of the human condition. It makes us reflect on our own lives, our choices, and our relationships. This is what makes it worthwhile literature. It has the power to touch our hearts and minds, and to leave a lasting impression. It is a work that will be cherished and studied for years to come.

It took me a while to get used to this author's writing style.

His sentences are extremely long, with dangling trails and an abundance of commas. However, once you become accustomed to it, you'll find it a good and solid read about modern American mid-western culture in a small town.

The character descriptions and their actions are almost painterly. I think it reveals some of the shallowness and lack of morals that can pervade American culture.

This book has a bit of the Sinclair Lewis 'Babbit town' feel to it. But Updike has created an updated version that incorporates some of the changing values and modern conveniences of a mid-20th century American lifestyle.

He doesn't make it some kind of economic or political science diatribe. Instead, he focuses intensely on the characterizations in the storyline.

As the storyline develops to its credible but utterly mundane end, it shows some levels of personal self-awareness and reflection.

Overall, it's an interesting and engaging read that offers a unique perspective on American culture.

Harry Angstrom was a real piece of work.

He was a complex and somewhat troubled individual. Harry had a certain charm that could draw people in, yet there was also an underlying restlessness within him.

He seemed to constantly be searching for something more in life, whether it was excitement, fulfillment, or a sense of purpose.

His actions and decisions often left those around him confused and sometimes hurt.

Despite his flaws, Harry had a certain tenacity and a willingness to take risks.

He wasn't afraid to step out of his comfort zone and try new things.

However, these risks didn't always pay off, and he often found himself in difficult situations.

Overall, Harry Angstrom was a character who was full of contradictions, making him both fascinating and frustrating to those who knew him.

Okay, this is Review 1/2. I still have to chew my way through "Rabbit at Rest", but given the following, I'm likely going to come back to it much later in 2019.

"Rabbit is Rich" was surprisingly filthy. It was so dirty that I felt strange reading it in the house around my family. The plot was non-existent. The characters, aside from Rabbit, were undeveloped. And the gravitational pull of Rabbit on several other characters was inexplicable. Maybe more of this was fleshed out in the earlier two books. (I vaguely remember reading one of them in college.) But for a stand-alone Pulitzer winner, this was a massive disappointment. Maybe white [upper] middle class ennui was more revelatory at the time of publication, but I got almost nothing out of this.

Also, I realized I've been confusing John Updike with John Irving my entire life. Sorry, Johns.

The Rabbit novels are truly a remarkable collective masterpiece.

It was perhaps the first time that I discovered a sense of deplorability within all of the characters. Although I had a certain fondness for them, I never once found myself sympathizing with the difficult situations they managed to get themselves into.

And I firmly believe that this is precisely the reason why I held these novels in such high regard. The flaws of the characters are so glaringly obvious, and yet, in essence, they are no different from, and no better than, anyone else.

They are complex individuals, full of human frailties and contradictions, which makes them all the more fascinating and relatable. The Rabbit novels offer a unique and unflinching look at the human condition, and it is this authenticity that makes them a truly outstanding work of literature.

I managed to get through it. Once more, I have to say that I don't have any affection for Rabbit.

It's not that Rabbit has done anything particularly wrong to me. There's just something about Rabbit that doesn't sit well with me. Maybe it's the way Rabbit behaves, or perhaps it's the personality that Rabbit projects.

Every time I interact with Rabbit, I can't help but feel a certain sense of discomfort. It's as if there's an invisible barrier between us that prevents a deeper connection.

I try to be polite and civil, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like Rabbit. I guess it's just one of those things in life where some people click and others don't.

Despite my lack of fondness for Rabbit, I'll still do my best to get along and be respectful. After all, we all have to coexist in this world, and it's important to be able to tolerate those who may not be our favorite people.

I first read Updike's Rabbit novels approximately 15 years ago. At that time, I had a great fondness for them. Just recently, I reread these novels (along with Rabbit Run), and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying them even more than before.

The Rabbit novels offer a rich and detailed exploration of the human condition. Updike's writing is both细腻 and profound, allowing readers to truly understand the complex characters and their motivations. The stories are set in a specific time and place, yet they remain relevant and relatable today.

Rereading these novels has given me a new appreciation for Updike's work. It has also made me realize how much my own perspective has changed over the years. What I once thought was a simple story now seems much more nuanced and thought-provoking. I look forward to reading more of Updike's novels in the future and continuing to explore the world he has created.

This two-volume edition is truly very nice.

Each volume is精心 crafted with high-quality paper and a beautiful cover design. The content within is丰富 and engaging, covering a wide range of topics.

The authors have done an excellent job of presenting the information in a clear and accessible manner, making it suitable for readers of all levels.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, you will find something of value in this two-volume edition.

It is not only a great addition to any personal library but also a wonderful gift for someone special.

Overall, I highly recommend this two-volume edition to anyone looking for a great read.