Rabbit, Run

by John Updike | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by ivylibra224 of Kimberling City, Missouri USA on 4/9/2008
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This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by ivylibra224 from Kimberling City, Missouri USA on Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Going into my Second 1001 Books...book box.

Journal Entry 2 by wingperryfranwing from Elk Grove, California USA on Monday, July 28, 2008
Taken from ivylibra224's Second 1001 Books...book box. Thanks!


Book Description:
"Brilliant and poignant...By his compassion, clarity of insight and crystal-bright prose, he makes Rabbit's sorrow his and our own."

THE WASHINGTON POST

Harry Angstrom was a star basketball player in high school and that was the best time of his life. Now in his mid-20s, his work is unfulfilling, his marriage is moribund, and he tries to find happiness with another woman. But happiness is more elusive than a medal, and Harry must continue to run--from his wife, his life, and from himself, until he reaches the end of the road and has to turn back....

This is also No. 457 on the 1001 books you must read before you die list.



Edit: 2/6/09: Finished reading this today. It's the story of Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, a middle class man living in a small Pennsylvania town in the late 1950s (published in 1960). Rabbit feels trapped in his life with a pregnant wife who drinks, and a young son to support, living in a cheap apartment. On impulse, Rabbit leaves his life and runs -- first to West Virgina and then back to his home town. He moves in with Ruth - a sometimes prostitute -- and goes back to his wife when she has their second child. Tragedy ensues and Rabbit ends up running again. This was a very realistic look at life during the 50s. It's a very American point of view. Updike's prose is eloquent but his sentences are sometimes long and seem to run together -- he also uses a lot of metaphors and is very descriptive. This is the first of 4 novels about Rabbit written at 10-year intervals. This one ended kind of abruptly and it made me want to find out what happens to Rabbit in the ensuing years. I have a copy of Rabbit Redux which I will probably read soon. Overall, I would recommend this novel but it is definitely a downer look at life -- it does not describe the idealistic small-town American life in the 1950's as portrayed in "Leave it to Beaver" and "Father Knows Best" -- this book shows a much more realistic view of it.


Journal Entry 3 by wingperryfranwing from Elk Grove, California USA on Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bookray
Starting a bookray for this book. Please PM me if interested. Bookray will remain open until last person has the book.

Participants so far:

. dutchbooky from The Netherlands (International)
. Caroley from UK (International)
. Cross-patch from UK (UK preferred - International if needed)
. Jozebedee from UK (UK only)
. Danielle23 from UK (UK preferred)
. arturogrande from UK (International)
. AdamRivers from UK (International)<----Skipped
. cat207 from Australia (Australia preferred - International if needed)
. bearyfriend from Singapore (International - near end)
. tamichan from Japan (International)<----Asked to be skipped
. etnagigante from Italy (?)

Note: Order is subject to change based on shipping preferences and others joining the bookray.

How the bookray works:
* Someone will PM you for your address, PM them back and provide your address
* When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting everyone know that you received it
* Put the book at the top of your TBR pile (under other rings/rays that arrived first)
* Read the book (take your time and enjoy the book, don't feel rushed to finish it but try to pass it on within a couple of months - others are waiting!)
* When the end is in sight, check the book's journal and PM the next person to get their address
* Finish the book, make another journal entry and let everyone know what you thought of the book
* Send the book to the next person on the list (please use the cheapest shipping method available), make release notes (Controlled Release) or journal entry to let everyone know that it's in the mail
* END OF THE RAY, The last person on the ray could try and continue the ray or just give/mail the book to someone else who might like to read it, perhaps a RABCK. You could also donate it to the 1001-library

Please feel free to PM me at any time with questions

Bookray is now completed. Thanks everyone for participating!


Journal Entry 4 by wingperryfranwing at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, February 6, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/6/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to dutchbooky in The Netherlands to start this bookray. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 5 by dutchbooky from Amsterdam, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thanks perryfran! The book arrived today. No rings/rays waiting at the moment, but I am 2/3s along in another book. I might just start in this one too. Nevery read anything by Updike before!

Edit Febr. 23: started reading today!

Journal Entry 6 by dutchbooky from Amsterdam, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I found this a somewhat depressive read, yet it kept me in suspense whenever I had to put it down. Rabbit is not a likeable man, although he feels so himself. I feel sorry for the women in his life. I might try the other Rabbit novels in future. Thanks for sharing this one, perryfran!

Cross-patch is on holiday in New Zealand till end of March! Shall I try Caroley first, as to keep the book moving?

Journal Entry 7 by dutchbooky at Post Office, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (3/18/2009 UTC) at Post Office, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This is off to Caroley. Hope you enjoy the book!

Journal Entry 8 by Caroley from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, March 20, 2009
Arrived safely this morning, thanks!

I have a 600+ page bookring to read first, but I'm off work next week so I shouldn't be too long before reading this one.

Journal Entry 9 by Caroley from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, March 26, 2009
This was an interesting read. I really didn't like the Rabbit character but felt compelled to keep reading to see what was going to happen to him and the women in his life. The ending was quite strange and left me feeling I'd like to find out what he gets up to next, even though this wasn't a book that I'd rave about.

I've PMd Cross-patch. I have her address but as she's probably still on holiday I'll wait until hearing that it's ok to send the book on before doing so.

Journal Entry 10 by Caroley at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, March 28, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (3/28/2009 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted to Cross-patch

Journal Entry 11 by wingCross-patchwing from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thank you Caroley and perryfan, Rabbit has arrived. I've thought I should try a John Updike for a long time and now is a good time.

Journal Entry 12 by wingCross-patchwing from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, May 1, 2009
Well, what to say? There is some beautiful prose here, very perceptive observations on nature and human nature too, at its most desperate. I hated the portrayal of the women in Rabbit's life and the general perspective he takes on people in general. There is all this inner wrangling but no real compassion. It has made me quite melancholic.

I would still like to read further to see how Updike matures his character, and am glad to have sampled some of Updike's work. Thank you perryfran. I have the next address and shall post it this afternoon.

Journal Entry 13 by Jozebedee from Nantwich, Cheshire United Kingdom on Friday, May 8, 2009
Received safely thank you! On Mount TBR - I will get to it asap! :-)

Journal Entry 14 by Jozebedee from Nantwich, Cheshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 16, 2009
I liked this story. It was both tragic and maddening. At times I felt sorry for Harry (Rabbit), but then I would be mad at the way he would behave towards the women in his life, and his lack of responsibility. I like the style of the book, and would really like to read Updike's other 'Rabbit' books.
Sorry for holding up the ring, I have had a mountain to get through!
Sending off to Danielle now who is next on the list.

Released 14 yrs ago (7/16/2009 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy!

Journal Entry 16 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, July 18, 2009
Another bookring, thanks Jo. I will get to this as soon as possible and send it on xx

Journal Entry 17 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, August 7, 2009
I finished this book late last night and the last 10 or so pages took me ages to read. I did enjoy the story but really disliked the charachter of Rabbit and felt he really needed to grow up and take responsibility in his own life.

That said the major event in this novel (not naming it to prevent spoilers but you'll know what I mean) I felt was totally Janice's falut and those that blamed Rabbit just because he wasn't there at the time were totally wrong.

Contancting the next in line for an address and I'll get it sent out as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more in this series xx

Journal Entry 18 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Sunday, August 9, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/10/2009 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This is one of 5 Bookrings that I'm posting off today, you know how it is when they all arrive at once, and I just wanted to thank everyone for being so patient with me.

Thanks for sharing perryfran. This is now on the way to arturogrande xx

Journal Entry 19 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I love John Updike's writing. I've got a couple ahead of this one, but I'll get to it as soon as I can. Thank you.

Journal Entry 20 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 29, 2009
Almost finished - only 10 pages to go. AdamRivers is not responding to my PMs, so I'm going to PM the next in line, cat207.

Journal Entry 21 by arturogrande from Coalville, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, August 31, 2009
I've read a lot of John Updike, but this is the first time I've read any of the Rabbit books. As with all the other novels I've read by John Updike, the prose is beautifully written and so descriptive that I could not put it down. Here's an example picked at random:
'The street lamp like a low moon burns shadows into the inner planes of the armchair, the burdened bed, the twisted sheet he tossed back finally when it seemed the phone would never stop. The bright rose window of the church opposite is still lit: purple red blue gold like the notes of different bells struck. His body, the whole frame of nerves and bone, tingles, as if with the shaking of small bells hung up and down his silver skin.'

Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom really is a very unlikeable man, who, as other readers have said, really needs to grow up and take some responsibility.
It is a very dark piece of work and the tragedy hits you like an iron bar in the chest.
Ther ending was abrupt and left me wanting to know more about Rabbit, so I will be in the lookout for the other three books in the series.
It's now on its way to cat207.

Journal Entry 22 by cat207 on Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Arrived in today's mail. Thank you arturogrande, and perryfran for sharing.

Journal Entry 23 by cat207 on Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Some 'mistakes' can be very expensive. I, too, am curious to know how Rabbit fairs in his later years.

Heading off to bearyfriend in tomorrow's mail.

Journal Entry 24 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Thursday, October 1, 2009
Got it, my first John Updike's, thanks. Will start during the weekend.

Journal Entry 25 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Sunday, October 18, 2009
I struggled with this small book with no chapters. It's like reading another Doris Lessing's. Just couldn't concentrate and the more I tried the heavier my eyelids become. Haven't been reading much lately. Have received the next add, will mail it out by end of the week. I see that all have enjoyed reading and also read from the internet how irresponsible this Rabbit was so will give myself 1 more chance. I'm now still at Tothero's messy house.

Journal Entry 26 by bearyfriend from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Thursday, October 22, 2009
OK, book is ready to travel. I agree with all that 'Rabbit' is real unlikeable. He's just not into committment, and is always running away whenever problems turn up. Instead of finding solutions, he runs away and hide in his warren, no wonder his name. I have the next person's address, off it goes to Italy.

Journal Entry 27 by etnagigante from Catania, Sicilia Italy on Friday, November 20, 2009
The book is here

Journal Entry 28 by etnagigante from Catania, Sicilia Italy on Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Harry Angstrom, called Rabbit, was a good basketball player, used to run e win in his childhood. As a man he is still used to run; he ran from his wife, Janice and his son Nelson. His escape will end with a meeting with his old coach a a woman who will be his partner. Rabbit will run from this woman after staying with her. He will return to his wife and their newborn daugheter. Rabbit runs from his work and from his family and his friends.
This novel shows us a scared and selfish man living in a small town of USA.
The first part of 20th century isn't maybe he age of gold and the main character of this book is used to drawn the dark side of human soul.
A good book, sometimes uneasy to read for the long sentences the author used, but quite a real picture of a period.

Journal Entry 29 by etnagigante at on Thursday, March 18, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (3/18/2010 UTC) at

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book was released as a RABCK for Sweepstakes n. 18 Spring 2010.

Journal Entry 30 by Therese from Perugia, Umbria Italy on Saturday, March 27, 2010
I win this book at the OBCZ sweepstakes! what a big surprise, the book moved around the world, i want to read and then release it ;)

Journal Entry 31 by Therese at Südbahnhof in Wien Bezirk 10 - Favoriten, Wien Austria on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (8/18/2010 UTC) at Südbahnhof in Wien Bezirk 10 - Favoriten, Wien Austria

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I realese the book for the Monopoly challenge!

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