Rabbit Run

John Updike’s Rabbit Run is an incredibly compelling novel that tells the story of a young man’s struggle with identity and purpose. Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom is stuck in a mundane life and feels restless to pursue something more meaningful. In his journey to find himself, he encounters the highs and lows of love, marriage, family, and work. With beautiful prose and intense insight into human nature, Updike has crafted a timeless classic that will stay with you long after you finish it.

The characters are richly drawn and realistically flawed. Rabbit is an everyman figure whose internal struggles resonate with readers from all walks of life. His relationship with his wife Janice is fraught with tension as they grapple with their responsibilities both to each other and to their son Nelson. Through Rabbit’s relationships, Updike explores how people can be simultaneously connected yet painfully isolated from one another. The themes of alienation, escape, longing, and belonging create an emotionally engaging narrative that will leave readers reflecting on their own lives.