Anamnesis
Active Member
Up until now I had never read any of John Updike's works. Truthfully I was more familiar with his reputation as a brilliant writer than anything he released. Having seen this book on sale at the library (a quarter for a paperback; how can you go wrong?) I decided to give Mr. Updike a try. The plot of this book follows three female friends residing in the coastal New England town of Eastwick. As the book's title implies, they happen to possess magical powers.
I enjoyed the book, even though there were aspects of it I did not like. The characters were annoying and didn't possess any likable qualities. Updike tries to redeem one of the characters in the end but it wasn't enough to make me change my mind about her. The other two are petty and mean-spirited throughout the story. Also, Updike can go on and on about the most minute of topics. Sorry, but I don't think I need a five-page description about a person's room and how I can reach it. If there was a purpose for the numerous pages of descriptions then it clearly went over my head.
I will give the book this much: some sections were very funny. I particularly enjoyed Updike's wry commentary on marijuana and how people act while under its influence. And despite my previous complaint about Updike's fondness for rambling, he really is a talented wordsmith. If only he self-edited and reworked his characters, this could have been a great novel. As is, The Witches of Eastwick is an entertaining read that's bogged down by unsympathetic protagonists and several tedious passages.
I enjoyed the book, even though there were aspects of it I did not like. The characters were annoying and didn't possess any likable qualities. Updike tries to redeem one of the characters in the end but it wasn't enough to make me change my mind about her. The other two are petty and mean-spirited throughout the story. Also, Updike can go on and on about the most minute of topics. Sorry, but I don't think I need a five-page description about a person's room and how I can reach it. If there was a purpose for the numerous pages of descriptions then it clearly went over my head.
I will give the book this much: some sections were very funny. I particularly enjoyed Updike's wry commentary on marijuana and how people act while under its influence. And despite my previous complaint about Updike's fondness for rambling, he really is a talented wordsmith. If only he self-edited and reworked his characters, this could have been a great novel. As is, The Witches of Eastwick is an entertaining read that's bogged down by unsympathetic protagonists and several tedious passages.
