At 76, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Updike passed away at a hospice in Beverly Farms, Mass. on Jan 27. The cause of death was lung cancer.
A master with words, he once said, “Existence itself does not feel horrible; it feels like an ecstasy, rather, which we have only to be still to experience.”
Throughout the course his lifetime Updike produced a plethora of novels, poems, literary criticism, essay, and short stories. In his years, he created more than 40 novels. Among his better known works are his award-winning Rabbit series and his more recent novel, The Witches of Eastwick.
He once said that “The refusal to rest content, the willingness to risk excess on behalf of one’s obsessions, is what distinguishes artists from entertainers, and what makes some artists adventurers on behalf of us all.”
Updike’s stories often told of life in American suburbia. Religion, morality, and death were regularly the central themes of his writings. In his words he explored American culture and presented it to the reader.
“Americans have been conditioned to respect newness, whatever it costs them,” is among his more famous quotes.
He was born on March 18, 1932 in Pennsylvania. Reading was his passion as a child. He later attended Harvard University and majored in English, graduating summa cum laude.
Most of his writings take place in New England and Massachusetts, where he later resided. His first novel, The Poorhouse Fair was written in 1959.
He began his Rabbit series in 1960 with “Rabbit, Run.” The story focused on Harry “Rabbit” Armstrong, a 26-year-old former high-school basketball player who repeatedly tries to escape from the realities of his life. “Rabbit, Run” was later followed by, “Rabbit Redux,” “Rabbit is Rich,” “Rabbit at Rest,” and “Rabbit Remembered.” The series followed the course of Harry’s life into his death and then into the lives of his children.
“Terrorist,” his 22nd and final novel written in 2006, follows the story of the young American-born Muslim teenager, Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy. Angered at the degenerate elements of American culture, Ahmad illustrates the mindset of a religious extremist. The story follows him into a terrorist plot, telling of his own thoughts as the events unfold.
Updike spent his last years with his second wife and four children.
A master with words, he once said, “Existence itself does not feel horrible; it feels like an ecstasy, rather, which we have only to be still to experience.”
Throughout the course his lifetime Updike produced a plethora of novels, poems, literary criticism, essay, and short stories. In his years, he created more than 40 novels. Among his better known works are his award-winning Rabbit series and his more recent novel, The Witches of Eastwick.
He once said that “The refusal to rest content, the willingness to risk excess on behalf of one’s obsessions, is what distinguishes artists from entertainers, and what makes some artists adventurers on behalf of us all.”
Updike’s stories often told of life in American suburbia. Religion, morality, and death were regularly the central themes of his writings. In his words he explored American culture and presented it to the reader.
“Americans have been conditioned to respect newness, whatever it costs them,” is among his more famous quotes.
He was born on March 18, 1932 in Pennsylvania. Reading was his passion as a child. He later attended Harvard University and majored in English, graduating summa cum laude.
Most of his writings take place in New England and Massachusetts, where he later resided. His first novel, The Poorhouse Fair was written in 1959.
He began his Rabbit series in 1960 with “Rabbit, Run.” The story focused on Harry “Rabbit” Armstrong, a 26-year-old former high-school basketball player who repeatedly tries to escape from the realities of his life. “Rabbit, Run” was later followed by, “Rabbit Redux,” “Rabbit is Rich,” “Rabbit at Rest,” and “Rabbit Remembered.” The series followed the course of Harry’s life into his death and then into the lives of his children.
“Terrorist,” his 22nd and final novel written in 2006, follows the story of the young American-born Muslim teenager, Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy. Angered at the degenerate elements of American culture, Ahmad illustrates the mindset of a religious extremist. The story follows him into a terrorist plot, telling of his own thoughts as the events unfold.
Updike spent his last years with his second wife and four children.
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