Rev. John Brown, who recently retired from active ministry with the United Church of Canada and became the Society’s 206th member, writes:

On Feb. 12, 1997 Updike gave a reading at the University of Toronto, promoting In the Beauty of the Lilies. I stayed awake all night thinking of questions I might ask. I was lucky. The moderator allowed me two. “Could you tell us something about the place of God and faith in your work and in your personal life?” and “Of the many sexual encounters of your characters, which one did you have the most fun writing about?” He gave generous answers to both, but provided nothing by way of identification for the second.

While he was signing Collected Poems for me, I volunteered, “I’m the guy who asked the question about sex.” “Oh, you’re the one causing all the trouble,” he said. There was quite a pause before he signed In the Beauty of the Lilies. It wasn’t until I was outside the hall when I read the inscription: “For John, Best wishes and stop thinking about sex! John Updike”

Around that time as well he was interviewed by Eleanor Wachtel on our CBC radio programme, “Writers and Company.” He had asked about Rabbit, noting how in many ways he was such an unsavory character and yet how accepting John was of him. He replied, “Well, I created him; how could I be unkind?” What a divine statement. I have quoted it in sermons many times.

Rev. John Brown