Another outstanding novel penned by Updike showcases his remarkable literary prowess. His language is a masterful tool that never detracts from the captivating story but rather enhances the concepts with its precise word choice and seamless flow. The characters he creates are rich and multi-faceted, never coming across as shallow or one-dimensional. The themes explored in the novel have a profound resonance that transcends time and circumstance, even reaching back to an era before my own birth. It is a first-rate narrative that delves deep into the complex issues of marriage and infidelity, offering readers a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of these timeless human experiences.

More or less constantly aware that this is my parents’ generation, I found it hard to imagine so much sexual interactivity among so many of the titular couples.

The swinging freedom of the sexual revolution, which is so prominent in the story, ultimately impresses one as being more or less miserable.

Certainly, there is little in this novel to encourage frequent swapping of partners and infidelity.

The representation of sex is interesting. It is represented pretty much in similar terms to shopping, dentistry, work subcommittees, etc. — just something all these folks do.

The ending, as Updike himself has suggested, is happy, but truth told, I don’t see much happy in it, even if Updike insists it’s there.

I loved this line from another reader’s review: “It's like a medieval banquet of sex, climaxing with the moral equivalent of gout.”

This novel presents a complex and somewhat disturbing picture of a society in the throes of sexual liberation.

While the characters engage in various sexual activities, there is a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction underlying it all.

The comparison of sex to mundane activities like shopping and dentistry highlights the banality and perhaps the lack of true meaning in these encounters.

The supposed happy ending feels forced and unconvincing, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and a lingering question about the true nature of human relationships and sexuality.

What I learned from this book is truly eye-opening.

With a name like "Foxy," there is a high probability that one might engage in an affair with the earthy married contractor who is remodeling their house.

If your husband is a highly intelligent scientist delving into the mysteries of life at the cellular level, it is very likely that he will overlook your emotional and sexual requirements, and refrain from giving you a child for years until your marriage is on the verge of souring.

If you do manage to get pregnant eventually, your brainy husband will be uninterested, while the earthy married contractor will be attracted to your pregnant body.

When you give birth to the baby, the brainy husband will be disgusted, and the earthy lover will feel pushed aside and end the affair.

If you have sex one last time with the earthy lover, you might get pregnant again.

If you find yourself in need of an illegal abortion, it is suggested to ask your dentist. Specifically, your married, woman-hating, crypto-homosexual dentist.

It seems that the book portrays a rather bleak view, suggesting that men are pigs and women are whores, and that not only do men hate women, but women also hate each other.

This book also reminded me of a line in the very humorous 1980s novel "Class Porn" by Molly Hite. In it, the heroine is reflecting on her sex life with her ex-husband in the early 1960s: "he expected me to take pleasure in such anatomically removed events as his orgasm."

In another review of another book, Updike's work was described as representing the post-war 20th century experience.

Specifically, it was seen as the WASP experience with the occasional Catholic and Jew thrown into the mix. However, not being American and living in the 21st century, there is a threat that his work could become obsolete.

Luckily, some of this experience is universally human and lasting, which makes "Couples" a worthwhile read today.

The story is about ten couples living in the imaginary town of Tarbox, a small former fishermen's town about an hour south of Boston.

These couples all moved there in the last years, during the gentrification in the early 60's. The main character is Piet Hanema, who has affairs with four of the female partners in the befriended couples.

The other main character is Elizabeth 'Foxy' Whitman, who has newly moved to Tarbox in a house that Piet's wife Angela wanted. Foxy and her husband Ken are intellectuals from Cambridge.

After years of living together and building up a career for Ken, Foxy is finally pregnant, but their relationship seems to be more of a social obligation.

The full cast includes various couples with their complex relationships and affairs.

The couples occupy themselves with cocktail parties, joint sports activities, games, and adultery.

While they mostly know about each other's affairs, they maintain the appearance of order, talking business or working socially.

The provocative games at their parties are managed by Freddy, who acts as the master of ceremony and sower of strife.

Religion is an issue for some of them, such as Piet, Foxy, Matt, and the Saltzes.

The Cuba crisis, the Kennedy assassination, and Christine Keeler form the background and provide the American experience of the 20th century.

Underneath the surface, adultery is the driving force behind all their social interactions.

Updike manages to write sex scenes that are not awkward.

The glass house breaks when Ken discovers Foxy's secret.

The ending is satisfying, with a tone of eternal renewal, not only in the couples' lives but also in Tarbox, which is further renewed by more couples.