Rabbit Is Rich
Rabbit Is Rich
Book Brief
544
Novel • Fiction
Brewer, Pennsylvania • 1970s
1981
Adult
18+ years
1100L
Super Short Summary
Rabbit Is Rich by John Updike follows middle-aged Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, now managing a successful Toyota dealership in the late 1970s. Living with his wife Janice and mother-in-law Bessie, Harry’s life intertwines with past affairs and family turmoil, including a fraught relationship with his son Nelson. As Harry navigates personal and professional challenges, his search for meaning continues amid changing American socio-economic landscapes. Sensitive topics include extramarital relations, substance use, and accidental death.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
17,960 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Updike's Rabbit Is Rich is acclaimed for its deep character study and rich prose, capturing the complexities of middle age and societal changes in the 1970s. Critics praise its intricate storytelling and vivid depiction of suburban life. However, some readers find the protagonist's flaws unsettling and the narrative occasionally slow. Overall, it's a compelling portrayal of American life.
Who Should Read Rabbit Is Rich?
Fans of deeply introspective and richly detailed novels like Richard Ford's The Sportswriter or Philip Roth's Goodbye, Columbus will relish Rabbit Is Rich. This reader appreciates nuanced character development, suburban settings, and social critique of the late 20th-century American middle class.
17,960 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Rabbit Is Rich is the third novel in John Updike's "Rabbit" series and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1982, marking Updike's first Pulitzer win.
The novel is set in the fictional town of Brewer, Pennsylvania, which is commonly considered to be based on Updike's hometown, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
Rabbit Is Rich also won the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, making it a rare literary accomplishment by winning three major American literary prizes.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
544
Novel • Fiction
Brewer, Pennsylvania • 1970s
1981
Adult
18+ years
1100L
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!