Rabbit Is Rich
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1981
544
Novel • Fiction
Brewer, Pennsylvania • 1970s
1981
Adult
18+ years
1100L
Rabbit Is Rich by John Updike follows middle-aged Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, now managing a successful Toyota dealership in the late 1970s. Living with his wife Janice and mother-in-law Bessie, Harry’s life intertwines with past affairs and family turmoil, including a fraught relationship with his son Nelson. As Harry navigates personal and professional challenges, his search for meaning continues amid changing American socio-economic landscapes. Sensitive topics include extramarital relations, substance use, and accidental death.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Emotional
17,960 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
John Updike's Rabbit Is Rich is acclaimed for its deep character study and rich prose, capturing the complexities of middle age and societal changes in the 1970s. Critics praise its intricate storytelling and vivid depiction of suburban life. However, some readers find the protagonist's flaws unsettling and the narrative occasionally slow. Overall, it's a compelling portrayal of American life.
Fans of deeply introspective and richly detailed novels like Richard Ford's The Sportswriter or Philip Roth's Goodbye, Columbus will relish Rabbit Is Rich. This reader appreciates nuanced character development, suburban settings, and social critique of the late 20th-century American middle class.
17,960 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
544
Novel • Fiction
Brewer, Pennsylvania • 1970s
1981
Adult
18+ years
1100L
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