Parece ya muy antigua la leyenda del hombre que sale un día de casa a buscar tabaco y decide no volver. Pues bien, se remonta tan sólo a 1960, año en que, gracias a John Updike, el mundo conoció al inefable Harry «Conejo» Angstrom, cuyas peripecias empiezan a contarse aquí en el momento en que, sin razón aparente, abandona mujer e hijo, su modesta condición de vendedor de MagiPeels y el recuerdo de cuando fue un as del baloncesto. A partir de entonces, Conejo Angstrom seguirá su camino sin rumbo, a la vez esquivando y buscando quién sabe qué. Ni siquiera el lector más sabio podría decirlo, porque ¿quién alguna vez, obedeciendo a un «impulso inexplicable», no ha salido (o deseado salir) huyendo como un vulgar conejo antes que enfrentarse al mundo, o a sí mismo? De ahí que este supuesto «hombre libre», como cualquiera de nosotros tal vez, caiga constante y torpemente atrapado en la enmarañada existencia con la que debe cargar inexorablemente todo ser humano.

I really liked the writing, I just kind of hated the main character, Rabbit. But then, who's likable when they're going through a quarter-life crisis? I still want to finish the rest of the Rabbit series someday. And also someday, I want to write this story from Rabbit's wife's perspective, which is what I was really interested in while reading this book. ( )

I really like Updike's writing style. I know others my have a hard time reading his books, but to me he really knows what it means to be a great author. He describes stuff to the point you can see it in your head like a movie. I first read his Witches of Eastwick and thought it was good. This book I liked even better. What did it for me was the ending (which I refuse to give away). Although, I will say it was very powerful and shows you why it's considered a good book. I do agree that Rabbit is a difficult character to like, but some times we find ourselves liking the worst characters then the good ones. ( )

This is a reread for me. I first read it in a college lit class in the early 70's. I really liked it then and wanted to see if I still felt the same. The answer is "yes". Updike is a skilled writer. Few could turn the saga of a pathetic loser like Harry Angstrom into a worthwhile read. Harry is still one of the best epitomes of an "Everyman ."

I will be rereading the rest of the Rabbit series. Updike is one of my favorite writers.

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Super. but didn't finish it. not really that interested. but still.. pretty archtypical... 24 yr old walks out on wife and kid and no one understands him because he is deep - but in a normal way. too much sex. ( )