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2.9 AVERAGE
2.9 AVERAGE
dark
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There isn’t a character in this book to love or cheer for they are at best racist, homophonic, vile, or sad. That said, witch craft notwithstanding, they are also entirely believable - and alluring in their darkness.
The book is satire - seems this might not be obvious to other reviewers here - and is punctuated by various moments of exceedly dark truth that Updike does brilliantly. It’s superbly written - creating a constant tension between hating what’s happening and what it speaks too, and being caught in a sort of literary deliciousness anyway.
Maybe it’s just the moment we’re in with #metoo and the Kavanaugh confirmation but it somehow seems like this book - despite obvious anachronisms - is right on time in its cringeworthy truth and honest lies.
The book is satire - seems this might not be obvious to other reviewers here - and is punctuated by various moments of exceedly dark truth that Updike does brilliantly. It’s superbly written - creating a constant tension between hating what’s happening and what it speaks too, and being caught in a sort of literary deliciousness anyway.
Maybe it’s just the moment we’re in with #metoo and the Kavanaugh confirmation but it somehow seems like this book - despite obvious anachronisms - is right on time in its cringeworthy truth and honest lies.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While Updike does a few things well - like showing the influence the newcomer has on Eastwick, the newcomer's character and his care of his possessions . But the overall impression on me is that it's a dude's version of feminism.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked the writing; I thought the story was ok. Maybe I should read some write-ups to understand a confusing plot point better.
The most enjoyable aspect of this book is most definitely John Updike's descriptive, crisp prose. Also, the setting in Rhode Island was particularly fun for me. The plot, however, is slow moving and tedious at times. Also, I was not quite able to decide if Updike's portrayal of three divorced women as "witches" who were selfish, judgemental, and negligent mothers as satire or true metaphor... Knowing that Updike rarely writes female protangonists adds to the confusion. In the end, I would read for the enjoyment of his prose but would try not to overthink the storyline (as I did!).
There comes a day in every writer's life where they start reading a book and the clouds part, and the crops grow, and the angels sing a hallelujah chorus, and they think, "this is it. The style of writing I want to aspire to. I've found it!".
This was that for me.
I read some Updike for my lit classes in college, but none of them ever struck me the way this did. It was unreal how drawn up into the world of Eastwick I was after only ten minutes. Wonderful characters, complicated setting, frankly disturbing imagery (that really did it for me, though); there's nothing this book didn't deliver on. I'm deadass excited for the next one.
5/5!
This was that for me.
I read some Updike for my lit classes in college, but none of them ever struck me the way this did. It was unreal how drawn up into the world of Eastwick I was after only ten minutes. Wonderful characters, complicated setting, frankly disturbing imagery (that really did it for me, though); there's nothing this book didn't deliver on. I'm deadass excited for the next one.
5/5!