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Book Review of s

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Author: John Updike
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
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This epistolary novel exploring the experiences of a North Shore housewife who one day in 1986 runs off to Arizona to join a commune/cult in Arizona starts out strong, but unfortunately falls flat at the end. Whereas at the beginning we are rooting for Sarah and curious about her past and current lives, by the end she becomes unsympathetic, and her actions are a bit difficult to decipher from the letters. I was left completely uncertain if this was meant to be a book sympathetic to women or demonizing them, and that says a lot about the lack of clarity. That said, it was still a fast, enjoyable read, and any Updike fans or those who enjoy epistolary novels will likely enjoy it.

Check out my full review.