Author Archives: johnupdikesociety

In Memoriam: Ann W. Cassar

Posted on June 24, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

We are saddened to report the passing of Updike Society member Ann W. Cassar, who died on May 20, 2019 at the age of 86. Over the years Ann has helped numerous Updike scholars with their research, and society members … Continue reading →

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Gopnik calls Updike the first fully expressed American writer

Posted on May 30, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

In a video post on the Library of America website titled “Adam Gopnik: The secret behind John Updike’s productivity,” the New Yorker writer called Updike the “first fully expressed American writer”—meaning there was nothing of his that he didn’t leave … Continue reading →

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Belgrade BELLS features three Updike essays

Posted on May 30, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Radojka Vukčević, the editor of the peer-reviewed Belgrade English Language & Literature Studies, attended the 5th John Updike Society Conference in Serbia and was impressed with the quality of papers presented, just as members were impressed by Belgrade BELLS. Three … Continue reading →

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John Updike lovers urged to shop Amazon Smile

Posted on May 29, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

It doesn’t add so much as a penny to your Amazon order total, and the website is identical. But if you bookmark https://smile.amazon.com and shop there instead of amazon.com, you can choose a charity to benefit . . . and … Continue reading →

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Essay on Pei architecture references Updike

Posted on May 28, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Writer John Updike was such a commentator on American society that he’s often cited comparatively or as a cultural touchstone–especially at The New Yorker, where he was the Talk of the Town writer for many years and a frequent contributor … Continue reading →

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Member’s new book offers creative resources for churches

Posted on May 27, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

John McTavish, a United Church of Canada minister and longtime member of The John Updike Society, has included three Updike poems in his new book: Jesus and Elvis: Creative Resources for Schools and Churches. In addition to the title poem, … Continue reading →

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Herb Yellin’s Updike foreign language editions for sale

Posted on May 26, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Herb Yellin, who published multiple Updike poems and short stories as part of his Lord John Press offerings, turned up on eBay as a collection of 438 foreign language editions of Updike’s signed 1st editions that are being offered for … Continue reading →

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Reissue of Updike’s early novels provokes mixed reactions

Posted on May 18, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Library of America published John Updike: Novels 1959-1965 last November in what amounted to a quiet reissue of the author’s first four novels: The Poorhouse Fair; Rabbit, Run; The Centaur; and Of the Farm. What few reviews that emerged have … Continue reading →

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Updike’s translation of Borges poem now online

Posted on May 18, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Last month The Atlantic delved into their archives and pulled out “The Labyrinth,” a poem by Jorge Luis Borges that was translated by John Updike and published in their April 1969 issue. Even the most ardent fans might find themselves … Continue reading →

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Literary Hub lists Which Writers Have Won the Most Prizes?

Posted on May 18, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Emily Temple compiled a “Ranking by the Most Absurd Metric” that she says was limited because she “couldn’t track every single prize available to writers” and therefore “stuck to the biggest and most prestigious prizes in fiction.” The “absurd” part … Continue reading →

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