Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I am around page 300 .... close to the end . I wanted to make a comment on Janice around pages 263 .... 265 .... but happened to read on . The picture changes .... a horrible thing happens ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ In her drunk state, Janice accidentally drowns the baby ! (hide spoiler)] ☆☆ Yet , in spite of this horrible event , I will still make the comment that I intended . Maybe other members of this buddy read are not at all going to agree with me . But , actually, I am feeling rather sorry for Janice . On page 263 it is mentioned that ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Janice 's mother was responsible for the complex that Janice developed, as she grew up , that she was dull , plain , a disappointment. Janice had thought marriage would change this .... having a house of her own , a husband , a baby . Harry , she discovered , was an immature, self centered man . Page 265 : Her feeling of being alone would melt a little with a little drink . That's how , I suppose , her addiction must have started . Then one day Harry just walks out on her and their two year old son . She comes to know that he's living with a whore . Then , after coming back to her , he disappears again for a second time . Her thoughts , at this juncture , I found amazing and rather thought provoking . There was something pathetic and humble in the decisions of this broken woman . 1) If Harry didn't return, she would go ahead with a divorce . She wouldn't remarry thereafter , but rather make it alone with her children . 2) If Harry returned , she would forgive him , they would make up , and go forward with a better understanding and sharing .
Even afer her whole world has collapsed , and there is complete disillusionment, Janice is still trying to trying to find a way forward for herself and her children . She has not given way to suicidal depression . Yes , she is stumbling ..... but I find myself sympathizing with this broken , desolate woman , her stumbling courage. She's so alone in the world . At a time like this , the support and guidance of a genuine mentor ( s) is invaluable. Did she have anyone at all ? What a misfortune to have someone like Harry for a husband . (hide spoiler)] ☆☆
I will continue to root for Janice , in spite of all her slips , stumbles and falls .

Nice analysis, Savita. I felt sorry for Janice at times, and less at others. By the end, I was not feeling much sympathy with either her or Harry.

Sara wrote: "Nice analysis, Savita. I felt sorry for Janice at times, and less at others. By the end, I was not feeling much sympathy with either her or Harry."

Thank you , Sara !
I think Rabbit is just too disgusting. I have almost finished the novel .

Unable to finish the novel and comment , due to health issues . Sorry for my inability to participate!

Oh no, Savita!! I’m sorry to hear you are unwell. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!

So sorry, Savita. Take care of yourself and get well!

Thank you , Lori and Sara , thank you so much !

I finished this in the 1st week of Sept and was waiting for others to finish before commenting and then never got around to it due to family and friend health issues. So sorry to hear you are having health issues, Savita. I hope you feel better soon.

Spoilers throughout, below.

I gave this 5 stars because I couldn't put it down. It was like a train wreck and I had to find out what happened. In the beginning I was more sympathetic with Rabbit/Harry than most here, in part because Janice was an alcoholic who just drank and watched T.V. I could see how he felt trapped working in a dead end job, having no support at home and feeling the pressure of providing for a family of 4.

I could also relate to wanting to take a break from life. I've done that by driving from near Chicago to Atlanta by myself with the excuse being a 3 day continuing education seminar. I stopped in Nashville for the night because an Artist I love was playing at the Ryman. After the seminar in Atlanta, I stayed with a girlfriend in Marietta for a couple of days. It felt really good to get away from my life at the time. Just like Harry, I had the radio/CD's blasting and loved every minute of the drive there and back. Getting on a plane to go somewhere wouldn't have had nearly as strong of a therapeutic effect. It was the best thing I ever did for myself.

As the story went on, I had less and less sympathy with Harry. I hated the way he was so critical of both Janice and Ruth's looks when they weren't looking their best. The way Harry treated Ruth made me think how much worse it must have been for Janice since they had been together for much longer.

Then when he came back and strongly encouraged Janice to drink as she was trying to stay sober, I was as disgusted as a person could be. Especially because he went and made the drink and brought it to her and pushed it on her when she said no, and all so he could have sex that could interfere with her healing. I was completely on Janice's side after that.

I felt Harry was 99% responsible for the tragedy.

I'm still looking forward to the rest of the series because Updike's writing is so good that it pulls you in, even when you want to look away. I fear Harry will get worse before he gets better, if he ever gets better.

Did anyone go on to the next book(s)? If not, is anyone interested in doing the next 2 in 2024?

I am definitely going to go for the next three books, Sue. Two of them are on my Pulitzer list, so little choice. I was exactly like you in both my feelings for Harry and my feelings about Updike's writing. I truly did not like a single character as a person, but man did he draw them well!

Sue, yes a train wreck! And, like you, I have always liked to escape with a driving trip.

Rabbit Redux is the next one in order, I think.

Sue and Sara: Shall we do a Buddy Read of Rabbit Redux in January?

Thank you , Sue !

Terry wrote: "Sue, yes a train wreck! And, like you, I have always liked to escape with a driving trip.

Rabbit Redux is the next one in order, I think.

Sue and Sara: Shall we do a Buddy Read of Rabbit Redux i..."

It would need to be mid-January for me or I would just enter the discussion late, but January works. I don't want to get too far away from the story. If Sue is good for January I will put it on the schedule.

Not only have I done escape driving, but the actual drive he took is one I have done (sans the dead-end turn around).

Savita--I am glad to see you posting. Hope you are feeling a bit better!

Sara , I'm better now . Thank you for your kind thoughts !
I am hoping to take up Rabbit Run again and complete the story .

Savita wrote: "Sara , I'm better now . Thank you for your kind thoughts !
I am hoping to take up Rabbit Run again and complete the story ."

Fantastic! Perhaps you will feel up to reading Rabbit Redux by January.

Sara wrote: "Savita wrote: "Sara , I'm better now . Thank you for your kind thoughts !
I am hoping to take up Rabbit Run again and complete the story ."

Fantastic! Perhaps you will feel up to reading Rabbit ..."

😊

I hope ypu feel better and can join us, Savita.

Mid to late January is good for me, Terry and Sara! I will put it on my list. I wouldn't mind getting through all of them next year either if it works out but I want to get to the next two as a minimum. Like Sara, I'd love to have 2 Pulitzers to knock off my neglected list. I don't think I read any Pulitzers this year.

I hope Savita, Lori, Antoinette, Sam, Pharmacdon and Cydna can join too!

I'll pop right over and put it on the request thread and the schedule!

Sara wrote: "I'll pop right over and put it on the request thread and the schedule!"

Yay!

Thanks, Sara. Looking forward to it!

Terry wrote: "I hope ypu feel better and can join us, Savita."

Thanks , Terry!

I am looking forward to continuing this series. Thanks, Sara.

Sue wrote: "Mid to late January is good for me, Terry and Sara! I will put it on my list. I wouldn't mind getting through all of them next year either if it works out but I want to get to the next two as a min..."

I will try but when there was no response to my earlier post on whether we were continuing, I arranged my schedule around other books and am expecting heavy reads in January with Augustine and Faulkner, plus Proust finally got a group nod. I will try and add my concluding remarks on Rabbit, Run before you start since I think they might make Updike more understandable if not likable, and if I can make time will join in.

I've committed to reading all 3 of the remaining original series in 2024 by putting them in my Old and New challenge!

Look forward to your comments, Sam and glad most can participate in Jan.

Totally understand, Sam. Hope you can join. I am not starting the Proust until either late January or early February.

Very courageous, Sue!

I have been following your Buddy Read comments on Rabbit, Run -- and I agree with most of what you say about the book. The writing style and story are so gritty and raw, and I really don't like Rabbit much at all. He really makes some bad decisions in his life! But I did get through all five books about three years ago, and I'm glad I finished the whole series. It is interesting to see Rabbit and Janice grow up and see how their son turns out, then to see them in their older years and bring the whole story of their lives to a close.

As you know, these are not easy people to read about or live with for long periods of time. You may want to spread them out a little bit. But I think it will be worth it to stick it out and see how it all turns out. And by the end I think I was finally used to Updike's writing style -- even if I didn't love it!

Enjoy reading these books -- and it is good that you have each other to discuss them with. These are characters that you want to yell about to someone!! ;)

Thanks so much for your comment, Terry. Updike's writing is what held me into this book to the end. I think I might have just bailed out if I had been reading alone. It's nice to know you found it worthwhile finishing the series. I'm crossing fingers that this will not be a series I look back on thinking "wasted time".

Sara wrote: "Thanks so much for your comment, Terry. Updike's writing is what held me into this book to the end. I think I might have just bailed out if I had been reading alone. It's nice to know you found it ..."

Well, I can't guarantee anything, but I think you'll be glad you finished it. I'll be watching to see! However, it took me over a year to read the whole series, so no rush ;)

I have finished Rabbit Run. The story and the various characters were quite upsetting. Even up to the end there was no redeeming aspect in the narrative . 😒
Well , I don't suppose I will be able to read anymore Rabbit books . This one , itself , was too much for me 😒 !

It is certainly not an uplifting book, Savita. Part of my motivation in reading the others will be to see if Updike lets these characters grow and mature. Sorry it was a disappointment for you. I hope you are at least feeling better!

Yes , thank you , Sara , I am much better now !
I may not have liked the book , but I did enjoy , as always , reading everyone's comments and participation.

Glad you are on the mend. I agree, even when the book is less than satisfying, this is a good group to read with.