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A review by withanhauser
Rabbit Remembered by John Updike
3.0
Is a book really a "Rabbit" book without Rabbit? Sadly, for "Rabbit Remembered" the answer seems to be mostly no. In this, the final novel in the Rabbit series, Updike revisits the Angstroms ten years after "Rabbit at Rest" and Rabbit's death. The novel starts from the perspective of Janice, Rabbit's widow, but quickly shifts to that of Nelson, Rabbit's son. For both Janice and Nelson, Rabbit, even in his now-distant death, casts a long shadow. Janice, contentedly remarried to Rabbit's rival, Ronnie Harrison, views her present life and relationships relative to her past life with Rabbit. Things are easier for her without Rabbit, but less meaningful ("Second marriages were lighter. You just expect a little companionship, a little fun that harms no one else." (195); "How utterly selfish [Rabbit] was she had never realized before marrying Ronnie, who was so responsible and methodical." (200)). Nelson, despite his troubled relationship with Rabbit, seems to feel his absence more distinctly; and, in search of some remnant of him, endeavors to for a close familial relationship with Annabelle, Rabbit's illegitimate daughter, upon her introduction to the family.
Still, Rabbit's absence—for the reader at least—feels pronounced. I enjoyed seeing how, even in death, Rabbit upsets Ronnie, who seems to hate Clinton for the same reasons he hated Rabbit (as people who get away with things). I also enjoyed seeing the very-momentary flashes of Rabbit in Nelson (I found his telling Annabelle about her past to be somewhat Rabbit-like in its discomfiting forwardness). And, I enjoyed that—even without Rabbit there to opine on the events of the late 1990s—Nelson and Janice consider what he would think (that, as a man who respected the presidency and reactively defended presidents, he would support Clinton). But, I mostly just felt bummed that Rabbit wasn't there. It's sad to read of Ronnie, like a vindictive Claudius, taking Rabbit's place and openly sullying his legacy. It's also sad, although perhaps realistic that he's simplified to his most memorable attributes and feats (a narcissistic, former high-school star athlete). I kind of wish I hadn't read this book, if only to keep the memory of Rabbit unsullied and unsimplified as it is by the characters in "Rabbit Remembered."
Nelson and Annabelle are both smart, kind people. But, they're not terribly interesting. Given that I've already concluded that "Rabbit Remembered" doesn't really read as a Rabbit book, I wish that instead of writing about them for this spin-off, Updike had written about Mim. The glimpses the reader gets of her over the Rabbit books makes her seem so unique—an independent, no-nonsense, all-business, sort-of caring, but completely level woman. She's not quite Rabbit-like—too self-sure, and indifferent—but she seems fun as a character. I wonder what a novella about her would be like?
Still, Rabbit's absence—for the reader at least—feels pronounced. I enjoyed seeing how, even in death, Rabbit upsets Ronnie, who seems to hate Clinton for the same reasons he hated Rabbit (as people who get away with things). I also enjoyed seeing the very-momentary flashes of Rabbit in Nelson (I found his telling Annabelle about her past to be somewhat Rabbit-like in its discomfiting forwardness). And, I enjoyed that—even without Rabbit there to opine on the events of the late 1990s—Nelson and Janice consider what he would think (that, as a man who respected the presidency and reactively defended presidents, he would support Clinton). But, I mostly just felt bummed that Rabbit wasn't there. It's sad to read of Ronnie, like a vindictive Claudius, taking Rabbit's place and openly sullying his legacy. It's also sad, although perhaps realistic that he's simplified to his most memorable attributes and feats (a narcissistic, former high-school star athlete). I kind of wish I hadn't read this book, if only to keep the memory of Rabbit unsullied and unsimplified as it is by the characters in "Rabbit Remembered."
Nelson and Annabelle are both smart, kind people. But, they're not terribly interesting. Given that I've already concluded that "Rabbit Remembered" doesn't really read as a Rabbit book, I wish that instead of writing about them for this spin-off, Updike had written about Mim. The glimpses the reader gets of her over the Rabbit books makes her seem so unique—an independent, no-nonsense, all-business, sort-of caring, but completely level woman. She's not quite Rabbit-like—too self-sure, and indifferent—but she seems fun as a character. I wonder what a novella about her would be like?