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[Free.Wkhl] Couples (Crest P1252)

[Free.Wkhl] Couples (Crest P1252)

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Couples (Crest P1252) Rank: #1152044 in BooksPublished on: 1969-04-01Original language: EnglishBinding: Mass Market Paperback 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.Couples Together and NotBy Hardy MelvilleMy heading indicates my noting that this excellent novel by the great writer John Updike has a bit of a misleading title. While the characters are introduced in turn as members of their respective marriages, the narrative is propelled really by frequent uncoupling and re-couplings, if you will. The situation described is in many ways a product of Updike's virtually autobiographical approach to using material in his fiction, although the word virtually is an obvious modifier here. Those familiar with Updike's work will recognize and not be surprised by this, and the recent Begley biography on Updike makes a good case for how how much of Couples is based on his personal experiences living in Ipswich, Massachusetts, after Updike chose to leave New York City, quite intentionally so, for the suburban life just outside of Boston. Perhaps Updike anticipated that such a move would lead to this kind of book.But of course the specific social circumstances from which so much of Couples's material comes from would lkely not have been anticipated by Updike. The book literally explains not only what those specifics were, but also offers some explanations for why they were. For example the characters in teh story were described as really people who had moved to Tarbox, the fictional name for Ipswich. This distanced them from those born and bred locally, as well as how their roughly equivalent ages did from others. Along with the age equivalence came similar domestic situations with children as well as placing them in generally the same economic class, here the educated upper middle, with some exceptions. Yet the specifics, while providing details, and the time setting of the novel, will explain some of the goings on (for example the newness of use of the birth control pill seemed to create a social moment where some of the more obvious and brutal results of adultery could be avoided, while the long term effects of increased divorce rates and damage to children were not yet evident), Couples also speaks to the post modern condition more generally.this is not a work of fiction heavy on or even centered around what plot there is, but it would be an overstatement to say there is no plot. Central to the work is the effect of adultery and its related considerations, such as love, sexual satisfaction, moral purpose, how we are with others, on the Hanema marriage. Only at the very end do we find out what the net effect is, meaning whether the marriage survives or not. But there are a number of other subplots and story lines.While Updike does speak from inside a number of characters, including several of the women, the main character is Piet Hanema, a second generation Dutchman (thereby explaining the name). Updike's own family background was Dutch, and no doubt much of what we read of his thoughts, and apparently even actions, come from Updike. But at the same time Piet is not Updike, instead serving as a kind of alter ego, much as Harry Angstrom did in the Rabbit novels.Piet, but not only Piet, addresses many of the themes frequently found in Updike's work. His character's relation to their times, the connection between religion, thoughts and feelings about God, and the moral aspects of life, the effect of sex and love on people both individually and in relationships, intergenerational considerations (here sometimes most touched upon by what is NOT going on between parents and children), the effects such mundane considerations as the day to day pursuit of work and leisure have on us. In that respect Couples is very much in the nature of a "typical" Updike novel, but I think in a very good way.Updike is noted for his steady focus on the real, and Couples is an excellent example of Updike's ability to portray the world in which his characters live as well as their thoughts, feelings and experiences. In reading this book one becomes aware, again if not your first Updike novel, of the persuasiveness of his approach showing how such details can underscore and make real to the reader the examination of the thematic aspects of his work.As a word of caution, I feel compelled to advise that the overall experience is not one of uplift. Updike is hardly a feel good writer. But I was sad to come to the end of the book. One of his longer ones, the novel reminded me to some extent of some of the mostly English nineteenth century long novels, such as by Trollope, where one inhabits a fictional world each time you pick up the book with characters who you come to know. Perhaps here we do not come to love the characters as much as in Trollope, but neither do we hate, or even condemn, them.In short i highly recommend this excellent work, which for all its ties to the early sixties in an American suburb, speaks to the timelessness in the human condition.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.Pretty much all the options are thereBy BLAI SALETADon't let appearances deceive you. This book is not what it seems, it is much, much, more. Through a slow and careful description, Updike manages to portray a unique array of infidelities. From the traditional male-female secret affair, to the open exchange of partners, and a touch of group sex. Pretty much all the options are there, which might repel many readers for moral reasons. But later on Updike closes the circle by bringing the conflicts that these situations always carry: impact on marriage, undesired pregnancy, divorce, etc. In fact, if the first half of the book focuses on the pleasures associated with extra-matrimonial sex, the second half of the book complements it with all the moral responsibilities.The book ends with a well balanced representation of both sides of the spectrum: infidelity versus infidelity. Don't let moral prejudices deter you from a great read. Leave criticism for the end.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.A truly sad storyBy A. CampbellReally sad narrative of the way we lived then. Husbands just did not fall into other wives beds that way.The story was hard to follow in that the narrative kept switching personalities with out any notice. Very confusing to follow. Very frustrating to read as well. The long descriptive smells and sights did not seem to add much to the story.I read this book because it was on the list of books that were most popular during my young married years. At the time, I was too busy raising children to have time to read. I am glad I did not waste my time reading it then and wish I had not read it this year either.See all 83 customer reviews...
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