Rabbit Redux takes some getting used to, as Harry latches on to a young woman that only seems capable of one thing, bringing tragedy into Harry’s life. Of course, to start anywhere but here would be ridiculous.

I suppose you should have nothing but unwavering respect for Updike’s talents in this book, but in the next three he really takes Harry out on the town. It’s also a husband and wife book, and a story about a jock grown up who is still dining out on his fading star power. I love watching the scenery evolve from book to book, how the world around Harry changes and he never does. Harry goes on through up and downs, crisis of faith, spiritual bankruptcy and changing of the country in pre-Eisenhower America. The opening moments of this classic remind me what it’s like to catch raindrops, it’s everywhere all at once. Harry is obsessed with getting laid, not uncommon in a marriage, but Updike digs into Harry for a long time, examining his former basketball career, (redone by Franzen in Freedom, if anyone other than me and Kakutani were paying attention). Harry leaves his wife and son at the start, which left me wondering where it was going, but he comes back. It is surprising that no one really cares enough about these books to make them into movies. The James Caan movie adaptation of Rabbit Run is kicking around out there, and it would have been great to see Caan play Harry for all four books. Starting with Rabbit Run, you will instantly recognize yourself in Harry, and his woes aren’t new - infidelity, tragedies he endures or inflicts. Like John Cheever, I didn’t discover either writer until I was in my 40’s. I never knew Updike very well, his writing was always something off in the distance, on a road I never traveled.

John updike rabbit at rest