 |  |  |
Share your comments
The widows of Eastwick
Updike, John.
Adult Fiction UPDIKE
From Publishers' Weekly:
Motivated by advancing age, loneliness, latent guilt and a sense of unfinished business, the erstwhile Witches of Eastwick return to their former Rhode Island coastal town in this tepid sequel to the 1984 novel. Alexandra, the fleshy Earth Mother; Jane, the wasp-tongued snob; and Sukie, a would-be a sexpot operating beyond her expiration date, have each survived the second marriages that took place following their flight from Eastwick in the early '70s, after a rival, Jenny Gabriel, died as a result of their spell. Where before they were strong, sassy, lusty and empowered, now in late middle-age they are vulnerable, fearful and in thrall to their aging bodies. Witchcraft is now beyond them; when they try to resurrect their supernatural powers to atone for their guilt, an inadvertent death ensues. While Updike remains amazingly capable of capturing women's thoughts about their bodies and their sex lives, the plot never gains momentum; the first hundred pages, in fact, are tedious travelogues covering the widows' travels to Egypt and China. Updike's observations about culture and social disharmony flash with their customary brilliance--a less than sparkling Updike novel is still an Updike novel. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
From Library Journal:
In this sequel to The Witches of Eastwick (1984), listeners will find the witches-now widows-older but not wiser. The first third is hindered by details of the witches' petty dissatisfactions with life and their aging bodies, but the narrative advances delightfully once they reestablish their friendships and return to Eastwick. Narrator Kate Reading (Sweetness in the Belly) gives a solid performance of lisping Jane, earthy Alexandra, and sultry Sukie. For large public libraries. [The Knopf hc was recommended "for most libraries," LJ 9/1/08.-Ed.]-Carly Wiggins, Allen Cty. P.L., Fort Wayne, IN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Updike, John.
Adult Fiction UPDIKE
| |||||||||||
 |
From Publishers' Weekly:
Motivated by advancing age, loneliness, latent guilt and a sense of unfinished business, the erstwhile Witches of Eastwick return to their former Rhode Island coastal town in this tepid sequel to the 1984 novel. Alexandra, the fleshy Earth Mother; Jane, the wasp-tongued snob; and Sukie, a would-be a sexpot operating beyond her expiration date, have each survived the second marriages that took place following their flight from Eastwick in the early '70s, after a rival, Jenny Gabriel, died as a result of their spell. Where before they were strong, sassy, lusty and empowered, now in late middle-age they are vulnerable, fearful and in thrall to their aging bodies. Witchcraft is now beyond them; when they try to resurrect their supernatural powers to atone for their guilt, an inadvertent death ensues. While Updike remains amazingly capable of capturing women's thoughts about their bodies and their sex lives, the plot never gains momentum; the first hundred pages, in fact, are tedious travelogues covering the widows' travels to Egypt and China. Updike's observations about culture and social disharmony flash with their customary brilliance--a less than sparkling Updike novel is still an Updike novel. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
From Library Journal:
In this sequel to The Witches of Eastwick (1984), listeners will find the witches-now widows-older but not wiser. The first third is hindered by details of the witches' petty dissatisfactions with life and their aging bodies, but the narrative advances delightfully once they reestablish their friendships and return to Eastwick. Narrator Kate Reading (Sweetness in the Belly) gives a solid performance of lisping Jane, earthy Alexandra, and sultry Sukie. For large public libraries. [The Knopf hc was recommended "for most libraries," LJ 9/1/08.-Ed.]-Carly Wiggins, Allen Cty. P.L., Fort Wayne, IN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Question about returns, requests or other account details?
 Add a Comment |
Submission Guidelines |
