A Month of Sundays - John Updike

Advantages: Really well-written
Disadvantages: Annoying characters

...Introduction In my quest to widen the type of books that I read, I borrowed this from a friend, who strongly recommended it. I've read some good reviews of John Updike's books in the past, although have never read any of his work. Realising that he wrote Witches of Eastwick did make me wonder what I'd let myself in for and to be honest, until nearly half way through the book, I nearly gave up. Luckily for me, I didn't, because I would have missed a good novel, if somewhat irritating at times. The story Marry Me is the story of two couples, Jerry and Ruth Conant and Richard and Sally Matthias. Both couples are successful, wealthy and have three children each. However, having reached comfort point, Jerry becomes restless and his eyes don't have to wonder very far - to big, blonde Sally who is also fed up with her adulterous husband... Read review

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Advantages: GREAT READ
Disadvantages: NONE

...The Witches of Eastwick. ************************* Introduction: ********* John Updike was born in 1932, in Shillington, Pennsylvania and since 1957 has lived in Massachusetts. His novels have won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the American Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Rosenthal Award, and the Howells Medal. Synopsis: ******* Okay, the basic plot is: three divorced women, Alexandra, Sukie and Jane, become swept into the life of Darryl Van Horne, a droll and magnetically sexy newcomer to their small town. But their growing obsession with this suave man calls on them to increase the magnitude of their powers. If you have watched the film, you will find the book gives more layers into the characters backgrounds. The book starts slowly and right from the beginning the 3 ladies... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: It's Calvin and Hobbes
Disadvantages: Just Sunday Strips

...deep down he has a crush on her). His teacher Miss Wormwood and the school bully Moe (though briefly in this book). Personally I'm not that keen on Sunday Strips as they are essentially one-shots and don't tend to have much of a story build up, I'm sure that writing a Sunday strip is a hard task to as they have to get a story across in a limited number of panels, where as with daily strips they can run wild and (potentially) have a story that could last for months. However lack of a gripping story line is made up for in the artwork and gags in the stories. Overall I wouldn't recommend choosing this book over other Calvin and Hobbes collections if you're just starting out because it's been out so long there are far better collections out there that have later strips as well. If you already have a few of the books I would recommend... Read review

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