Updike was surprisingly sensitive to critiques of his work. The complaint, "Updike writes well, but doesn't SAY anything" bothered him a lot
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Replying to @CarlRobertAnd
@CarlRobertAnd My theory: until that point Updike had only received praise from parents, teachers, editors. His first encounter with critics3 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @CarlRobertAnd
@CarlRobertAnd Alfred Kazin called Updike the brightest of the bright kids. A similar idea.1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
@HeerJeet@CarlRobertAnd And Updike's admiration for Nabokov was mutual; no small thing.1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @matthunte
@matthunte@HeerJeet Just as importantly, J.D. Salinger's approval of "Ace in the Hole" meant a lot.2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @CarlRobertAnd
@CarlRobertAnd@matthunte Adverse criticism & divorce both shook up Updike's complacency in ways that I think were useful. Others disagree.2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
@HeerJeet@matthunte I think the chance of portraying divorce accurately invigorated him, sure.2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @CarlRobertAnd
@CarlRobertAnd@matthunte Yes. But also complacency of early Updike is gone. 1970s/1980s work much more troubled.1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
@HeerJeet@matthunte What is complacent, exactly? The prose, the subject matter?2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
@CarlRobertAnd @matthunte I'd say dominant mood of early Updike is gratitude for his blessed life & gifts. Can get cloying.
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