Having completed Rabbit, Run, I am compelled to pen down my experience with this remarkable novel. Clearly, my thoughts on Rabbit Redux will follow shortly. I'm approximately one-third of the way through the list of Pulitzer novels. It's better to take it slow and savor each one rather than rush. The Rabbit novels couldn't have come at a better time for me. For my tastes, they are quite heavy. Updike's writing style is truly a wonder to behold. However, I must admit that I loathe these characters. I don't imagine many people have a soft spot for the weak Janice, and certainly not for the misogynist Rabbit. The issue with this novel is that I can't seem to make any excuses for this jerk who seems to possess the longest litany of flaws I've ever encountered. But I'm open to being proven wrong. Maybe I've been this frustrated with a fictional character before. I enjoy a novel more if I can find someone to relate to. I think Eccles' confusion is the yin to Rabbit's yang, and I do enjoy that particular relationship. Otherwise, it's a bit of a struggle. Perhaps Rabbit matures with age, and let's hope so, for the sake of my Pulitzer list, as there are three more novels to go.
All right! I've now finished Rabbit Redux, and I find myself feeling so much more excited about Updike. I must confess to having felt a significant amount of shame for being so grumpy towards Rabbit Run. But the plot of Redux was so much more rich in politics, compassion, and rebellion! Every character revealed something entirely new, and that, for me, made Redux far more enjoyable than Run! I'm fairly certain that things will only improve as I read Rabbit Is Rich and Rabbit at Rest!
