I read the first Rabbit novel several years ago, and what remains in my memory is the overwhelming sense of depression that permeates the entire book. Therefore, when it came to choosing a book for vacation, Rabbit, Redux was an obvious option for me, as I didn't have many other things that could crush my spirits.
Updike is a master storyteller, and his descriptions are excellent, although they can be a bit wordy at times. The story he weaves in Rabbit, Redux is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. However, just like the first book, it is still a deeply depressing read.
The characters in the novel are complex and flawed, and their struggles and failures are vividly portrayed. The themes of dissatisfaction, alienation, and the search for meaning in life are explored in a thought-provoking way. Despite the depressing nature of the book, it is a powerful and memorable work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Beautifully tragic, the story of Rabbit truly tests the Christian sensibility to love a sinner. Updike's masterful descriptions of the world are so unflinchingly raw and brutally honest that they have the power to make you feel deeply uneasy in your own skin. It's as if he peels back the layers of society and human nature, exposing the flaws and vices that we often try to hide. This novel sets a new and incredibly high standard by which to judge the rest of the books on the shelf. It forces us to confront our own beliefs and values, and challenges us to look beyond the surface and see the true complexity of the human condition. Rabbit is not just a book; it's a profound exploration of love, sin, and redemption that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
Rabbit, a young man, embarks on a journey that begins with him running away from his wife in search of something more. He ends up a few miles away with a hooker and, in a very real sense, seems happier. However, this happiness comes only from evading responsibility. When he eventually returns to his family, chaos ensues and he is pulled back into a boring job, a routine life, and a complex family situation.
In book 2, Rabbit is much older and has been left by his wife. He takes on the responsibility of caring for his son and allows a young runaway and a black drug dealer to move in. He appears to have a change of heart about the world, but at the same time, it seems as if he believes it is too late to truly change his life.
The prose in this story is beautiful, captivating the reader from start to finish. It is impossible to put down, as the story of Rabbit's life unfolds in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.