Since the society incorporated as a 501c3, Marshall Boswell, an English professor at Rhodes College, has been writing out checks (10-15 per month) and following up with phone calls to square things when a check wasn’t received or when there … Continue reading →

In an opinion piece for The Times (UK), Benjamin Markovits writes that he doesn’t remember reading John Updike’s Rabbit, Run when it first came out in 1960, partly because he was “suspicious” of the book’s popularity and was hesitant about such things … Continue reading →

The Philip Roth and John Updike societies announced that registration is now open to participate in a joint conference to be held in New York City, Oct. 19-22, 2025. The conference celebrates a literary friendship-rivalry and publication anniversaries of Roth’s … Continue reading →

“A Century of The New Yorker” exhibition will open at The New York Public Library on February 22, 2025, City Life Org reported. The exhibition “showcases the historic transformations” of one of America’s iconic and most distinguished magazines. Displays will include … Continue reading →

In “25 Best Books About Witches to Read in 2024: Spellbinding Books Filled with Magic and Mystery,” Marilyn Walters made John Updike’s The Witches of Eastwick her sixth pick. Topping the list was Circe by Madeline Miller, Practical Magic by … Continue reading →

John Updike Society board member Sylvie Mathé was profiled in the series “Persistence of Character — Major interview: Archaeology of a journey” in e-Rea, electronic journal of studies on the English-speaking world. The series, published in French, tracks the breadth … Continue reading →

Fairway Philosophy blogger Matthew Chominski had Updike on the mind this past week. Two of his posts were devoted to Updike the golfer. In an April 27, 2023 post, “Golf and the Shortness of Life,” Chominski wrote, “The great American … Continue reading →

In “The Genius of William Shawn, and the Invention of The New Yorker,” David Remnick praises Shawn’s sharp eye for talent, “that essential component of any institution that wishes to develop: new talent with new things to say. The ’50s saw … Continue reading →