True Literary Skill

Some novels are good because they have a great story. Not because of the writing so much, but because of the unique plot of the novel. Take the Harry Potter series as an example. Others are good because they have great characters. The Catcher in the Rye and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest can certainly be included in this category (though they also include great writing and great stories, as well).

But some books are a pleasure to read merely for the writing. The way in which the author creatively uses language to describe the story of the book and to develop the characters often makes some books as good as they are.

Rabbit, Run certainly figures into this class of literature. John Updike's eloquence and mastery of the English language creates more than a novel with three chapters and long paragraphs, but a work of art. The way he beautifully weakes his words together seems to put this book in a separate realm of literature altogether, one where books are written to showcase the author's skill for writing.

Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom is the protagonist in this fine novel. Rabbit was a basketball star in high school, but now, in his early-20s married life, has sunk to a level of monotony and near depression uncharacteristic of the exciting, flighty young man. Finally realizing his wife's stupidity, Harry leaves her on a whim one night, driving from his home in Pennsylvania all the way south to West Virginia.

The novel involves a variety of characters: some who implore Rabbit to return to his wife, some who beg him to not, and others (like Rabbit himself) who are not sure what to do. Updike seems to keep the story in the back seat, however. The book moves along at a somewhat slow pace, though this can hardly be noticed in the face of Updike's superb writing style and excellent characterization. The character of Rabbit seems to be definitely an anti-hero, almost despised by some readers and critics though definitely respected by others.

This is the essence of Updike's craft. He presents each character exactly as a person would be in real life in order to allow the reader to formulate his own opinion. Updike does not create "good" or "bad" characters, but living people who make questionable decisions. It is no wonder Updike was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Run-John-Updike/dp/0449911659/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299300768&sr=8-1

Grade: 8.5