I decided to stop reading this book. The main reason was that I simply didn't want to invest any more time in that particular character. The character seemed so unappealing and uninteresting to me. I found myself constantly losing focus whenever the story revolved around him or her. It felt as if the author had failed to bring that character to life in a way that could engage my attention. I thought that by quitting this book, I could free up my time and explore other literary works that might offer more captivating characters and stories. Maybe there was a better book out there waiting for me to discover, one that would truly draw me in and make me eager to turn the pages.

I've only read Rabbit, Run up to this point. At certain moments, I found myself struggling with it. Maybe it's because one of the book's greatest virtues - being firmly grounded in a particular moment in American history - also made it more challenging for me to engage with. However, Updike is truly a remarkable writer. There would be passages that were simply astonishing, and I would be instantly drawn back in. It's as if his words have a magical pull that overcomes any initial difficulties I might have had. The way he describes the characters and their emotions, the settings and the atmosphere, it all comes alive on the page. Despite the initial struggles, I'm eager to see where the story takes me next and to discover more of Updike's literary genius.

The literary version of the 'Before Sunrise' film trilogy? Or perhaps it's the other way around? Updike masterfully depicts life over the span of four decades, presenting it not only as a personal odyssey but also as a reflection of the multi-generational zeitgeist.

I wasn't alive during the 1950s or 1960s. However, based on the vivid and realistic portrayal he offers of the 1970s and 1980s, I believe it's as close as I'll ever get to experiencing a bygone era. An era that preceded the ubiquity of strip malls, the emergence of McMansions, and the dominance of cultural hegemony.

Updike's work allows us to step into a world that has long since passed, yet still holds relevance and resonance today. It's a journey through time and space, a exploration of the human condition that transcends generations and speaks to the universal experiences that bind us all.

Whether you're a fan of the 'Before Sunrise' films or simply interested in a captivating and thought-provoking read, Updike's work is sure to leave a lasting impression. It's a literary masterpiece that invites us to look back on the past, while also inspiring us to look forward to the future.

I have finished and really enjoyed reading "Rabbit Run". It was a captivating story that kept me engaged from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and the plot had its own charm.

However, I am still in the process of working my way through "Rabbit Redux". This book seems to have a different tone and pace compared to the first one. I am eager to see how the story unfolds and how the main character, Rabbit, evolves in this new installment.

Despite the differences, I have high hopes for "Rabbit Redux" as well. I believe that John Updike, the author, has the ability to create a rich and immersive world that will draw me in and make me care about the characters.

I will continue to read and explore this series, looking forward to the next adventure that awaits me within the pages of these books.

Never before have I read with such intense interest about such a truly despicable bunch of assholes. It's truly astonishing how their actions and behaviors can be so completely abhorrent. As I delved deeper into the text, I found myself becoming more and more appalled by their antics. Each new revelation seemed to top the previous one in terms of how truly awful they were. It made me question how such people could even exist in this world. Their lack of basic human decency and respect for others is truly mind-boggling. It's as if they have no conscience whatsoever. Reading about them has been a truly eye-opening experience, and it has left me with a sense of disgust and disbelief.

I truly relished the original Rabbit Run. It was a captivating read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, when it came to the sequel, Rabbit Redux, I had a different experience. I found it to be a bit sluggish in its pacing. Moreover, it seemed to be overly burdened with political and social issues.

Of course, I am well aware that these were significant tipping points during the era in which the story was penned. But for me, the continuous focus on these issues rather than on the core story made me lose interest.

John Updike is undeniably one of the iconic American authors of his generation. His works, along with those of Hemingway, Steinbeck, and many others, have brought American literature into the spotlight. And Rabbit Redux is a book that all should read to gain a deeper understanding of the literary landscape of that time.

Despite my initial disappointment with the sequel, I still appreciate Updike's talent and the contributions he has made to American literature.

I switched horses in midstream after a rather eventful trip to the bookstore.

It was an interesting experience as I browsed through the shelves, looking for something new to read.

Finally, I decided to pick up "Rabbit Run" and give it a try.

So far, it's going quite well. The story has caught my attention and I'm eager to see where it leads.

Bo, have you read this book? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

I think it would be great to have a discussion about it and share our interpretations.

Maybe we could even discover some new perspectives or insights that we wouldn't have thought of on our own.

I'm really enjoying this new reading adventure and I can't wait to see what else "Rabbit Run" has in store for me.

This is a pre-review.

I'm reading this due to all the Updike chatter in the DFW interview book that I just completed.

I commence this with both hope and a certain degree of apprehension.

The hope is that it will offer new insights and perspectives on Updike.

The apprehension, however, is that it will confirm my existing bias and suspicions.

I have this idea that he was like a genius housecat within the New Yorker set.

Maybe that was an awesome gig for him, but still, it makes me a bit cautious.

Well, let me just get on with the reading and see where it takes me.

Who knows, perhaps it will change my perception completely or maybe it will just reinforce what I already think.

Only time and the act of reading will tell.

So, here I go, diving into this work with a mix of anticipation and wariness.

Rabbit, Run was on the list that I had been attempting to take on. So, when I spotted this two-book volume at a used book shop, I picked it up with only hazy thoughts of reading the second novel in the series. I thought perhaps I'd get to it at some point, but no. The moment I finished Rabbit, Run, I turned the page right over to Rabbit Redux.

If I had had the second volume (with books three and four in the series) available, I would have snatched that one up immediately after finishing as well!

What makes these books captivating is Updike's knack for making you truly care about and empathize with the complete jerk that is Rabbit. I found myself constantly reassessing who the good guys and bad guys were, where to assign blame for the events that occurred, and whose side I was on. Besides a great, intricate story, the writing is at times so gorgeous that you feel as if you're reading a poem rather than a novel. I have this inclination to bookmark pages of books that have passages I like, and I found myself folding down the corner of the page so many times that I had to stop!

I am excited to hunt down the second volume and complete the series. Not only do I desire to know what happens next, but I also look forward to immersing myself in the world created in the books once more.

(As a side note, a word of caution: If you read these books AND watch Mad Men simultaneously, it's possible that you will start to be convinced that your significant other is cheating on you just because you will begin to think that is what everyone does. Remember, Don Draper and Harry Angstrom are NOT real people!)

This was the first reading group selection that I read, and it truly felt like doing homework!

I only read Rabbit, Run. The story of Rabbit, Run is quite engaging. It follows the life of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a former high school basketball star.

Rabbit's dissatisfaction with his ordinary life leads him to make some impulsive decisions.

As I was reading, I found myself drawn into Rabbit's world, experiencing his joys and sorrows along with him.

The author's writing style is vivid and descriptive, making it easy to picture the scenes and characters in my mind.

Although it was a bit of a challenge to read at times, overall, I enjoyed the experience of reading Rabbit, Run as the first selection for the reading group.

I'm looking forward to discussing it with the other members and hearing their perspectives on the story.

This was a simultaneously frustrating and rewarding read.

I've never read another book in which I hated the protagonist quite this much. His actions and behaviors were often infuriating, yet the revulsion he elicited kept me reading.

Updike has a remarkable grasp of language. There were simply too many striking passages to name. His use of words and phrases was so vivid and descriptive that it brought the story and the characters to life.

Despite my intense feelings towards Rabbit, I still want to read the next two novels in the series. However, I felt like I needed a breather from him for a while. I needed to process my emotions and thoughts before delving back into his world.

I'm curious to see how Rabbit's story will unfold and how he will change or remain the same. Updike's writing has left a lasting impression on me, and I'm eager to explore more of his work.

I firmly believe that this is the very first novel penned by Updike that I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and I thoroughly relished every moment of it.

This novel, which was published in 1959, must have been quite a shocker back then. It contains copious amounts of sexuality and tragedy, which gives it a raw and powerful edge.

I can clearly understand why this particular novel catapulted Updike into the spotlight. His writing is masterful, the story is engaging, and the characters are vividly brought to life.

It is a testament to his talent as a writer that this novel still holds up today and continues to be enjoyed by readers around the world.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.