The John Updike Audio Collection

By: John Updike

Narrated by: John Updike

The extraordinarily evocative stories depict the generation born in a small-town America during the Depression and growing up in a world where the old sexual morality was turned around and material comforts were easily had. Yet, as these stories reflect so accurately, life was still unsettling, and Updike chronicles telling moments both joyful and painful. The texts are taken from his recent omnibus, The Early Stories, 1953-1975.

In describing how he wrote these stories in a small, rented, smoke-filled office in Ipswitch, Massachusetts, he says, ""I felt that I was packaging something as delicately pervasive as smoke, one box after another, in that room, where my only duty was to describe reality as it had come to me -- to give the mundane its beautiful due.""

From New England, so

I guess I am biased. His writing is always just so impressive. Consistent. A real American genius. I listened to the stories twice. However, my wife does not like him.

What else can I say other than " It's Updike".

Would you listen to The John Updike Audio Collection again? Why?

Yes. I have ready many of his works and will continue to.

What did you like best about this story?

The Lifeguard.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If it were another narrator it probably wouldn't be the same.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Complex and elegant look at life death and stress of every day life

Updike is capable of taking the reader on a ride along with characters that are relatable and real . His words and phrasing are remarkable .

Praise for Audible Updike

This collection of short stories is by far the best and most worth while purchase from Audible. Updike is a master of prose and easily the best writer of our time. This is the only audio book of his that I have been able to locate. Updike himself reads a few of the selections in this audiobook, one of which is "Lifegaurd;" arguably his best and most profound short story. Edward Herman reads the nastalgic and comical "A&P" as well as some other selections. This product is a worthwhile purchase that is sure to please any lover of quality literature or masterful stories.

Good read

This was a good read; I like short stories, and these were very evocative. I especially liked the connected short stories. The narrators all did an excellent job. The subject matter is intriguing; relationships mostly, and poignant and funny at the same time.