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Rabbit is Rich

By John Updike
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.93 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 17,762 ratings, 786 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Rabbit is Rich by John Updike follows Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom in his middle age as he manages his late father-in-law's car dealership in 1970s Pennsylvania. As he navigates his newfound wealth, Rabbit confronts personal and family issues, reflecting on his past choices and their impact on his present life. The novel paints a vivid picture of mid-century American society and its changing landscape.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy poignant exploration of middle-class American life, its internal conflicts and material successes. The character-driven narrative and rich, detailed prose provide a reflective look at the complexities of suburban existence.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

It's 1979 and Rabbit is no longer running. He's walking, and beginning to get out of breath. That's ok, though - it gives him the chance to enjoy the wealth that comes with middle age. So why is it that he finds it so hard to accept the way that things have turned out?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Set against the backdrop of the late 1970s, Rabbit is Rich by John Updike continues the story of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a man who finds himself at a crossroads in life. No longer the restless youth of earlier novels, Rabbit has settled into middle age with all its trappings of comfort and success. He serves as the Chief Sales Representative and co-owner of Springer Motors, a successful car dealership, and enjoys the material wealth that his position affords him. Rabbit's days are marked by good suits, a steady influx of cash, and a trim wife who divides her time between their home and the country club.

However, peace of mind proves elusive for Rabbit. As he reflects on his life, he is besieged by a sense of discontent and lingering regret. Despite achieving the American Dream, he is haunted by the choices he didn't make and the possibilities that have slipped through his fingers. The novel delves into Rabbit's complex psyche as he grapples with his past decisions and contemplates the paths not taken.

Updike masterfully captures the zeitgeist of the era, portraying the economic anxieties and social changes that define 1970s America. Through Rabbit’s interactions with his family, friends, and community, the novel explores themes of fulfilment, identity, and the inexorable passage of time. Rabbit's internal struggles are poignantly rendered, making his journey both a personal and universal exploration of human experience.

With its keen psychological insight and vivid portrayal of suburban life, Rabbit is Rich offers a rich tapestry of characters and emotions, inviting readers to ponder the true cost of the lives they lead and the dreams they leave behind.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Rabbit Is Rich by John Updike has been praised for its insightful portrayal of middle-aged life and the complexities of the American dream. Critics appreciate Updike's sharp, descriptive prose and his deep characterisation of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom. Some reviews highlight the book's dark humour and its evocative depiction of suburban America in the 1970s.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141188553

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 June 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 326g

Pages: 448

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Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Fiction Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books John Updike Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Series: Penguin Modern Classics The Great Clear Out Sale The Great Clear Out Sale: General Fiction

About the Author

John Updike was born in 1932 in Shillington, Pennsylvania. He is the author of over fifty books, including The Poorhouse Fair; the Rabbit series (Rabbit, Run; Rabbit Redux; Rabbit Is Rich; Rabbit At Rest); Marry Me; The Witches of Eastwick, which was made into a major feature film; Memories of the Ford Administration; Brazil; In the Beauty of the Lilies; Toward the End of Time; Gertrude and Claudius; and Seek My Face. He has written a number of collections of short stories, including The Afterlife and Other Stories and Licks of Love, which includes a final Rabbit story, Rabbit Remembered. His essays and criticism first appeared in publications such as the New Yorker and the New York Review of Books, and are now collected into numerous volumes. Collected Poems 1953-1993 brings together almost all of his verse, and a new edition of his Selected Poems is forthcoming from Hamish Hamilton. His novels, stories, and non-fiction collections have won have won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the PEN/Faulkner Award, the American Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Rosenthal Award and the Howells Medal. Updike graduated from Harvard College in 1954, and spent a year at Oxford's Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art. From 1955 to 1957 he was a member of staff at the New Yorker, and he lived in Massachusetts from 1957 until his death in January 2009.

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