The Asian Conference on Literature, Librarianship & Archival Science 2016

The Asian Conference on Literature, Librarianship & Archival Science 2016

The Asian Conference on Literature, Librarianship & Archival Science 2016

The standing of John Updike (1932-2009), a multiple prize-winning author of more
than 60 books, has suffered over the last two decades. Critics have recognized
Updike’s skill as a writer of beautiful prose, but fail to include him among the highest
rank of 20
th
century American novelists. What is most frustrating about the
posthumous reputation of Updike is the failure by critics to fully acknowledge what is
it about his books that makes them so enduringly popular. Updike combines
beautifully crafted prose with something more serious: an attempt to clarify for the
reader the truths and texture of America itself.

Oliver Hadingham