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The Witches of Eastwick John Updike 9780449912102 Books

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The Witches of Eastwick John Updike 9780449912102 Books

I read this book when it first came out, and rushed through it, waiting to see what was going to happen. I was looking for simpler explanations of witchcraft and this small town. Later, I saw the movie...and although I loved it (particularly Jack Nicholson as the repulsive/irresistible Darryl), was a bit confused by the changes. I read the book last week, twenty years later. I am amazed at how much more I enjoyed the book this time---probably because I AM older now, and appreciate the descriptions of the complex lives and emotions of the characters. Even the description of getting peanut butter off knives before they go into the dishwasher made sense to me now. Perhaps we react to the detail of this book according to our own life experiences and maturity. Most enjoyable.


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The Witches of Eastwick John Updike 9780449912102 Books Reviews

Very enjoyable and energetic writing. This was the first book I have read from Updike, and I was ensnared from the beginning.
The Witches of Eastwick is another example of a great book being turned into a less than stellar movie. If you're familiar with the movie, there's a lot in this book that you'll find familiar as well. Unlike the movie which was set in the late 1980's, the book takes place in the fictional town of Eastwick, Rhode Island at the time of the Vietnam War. The story mainly concerns Alexandra, an artist; Jane, a cellist; and Sukie, a columnist. They are in the primes of their lives, each having either left, or been left by, their respective husbands.

Following the void left by their husbands, the women find an inner power they each posses...the power of witchcraft. These witches, however, are a far cry from the an it harm none variety with which many modern readers in the know are familiar. No, these witches are promiscuous, spiteful, vindictive, and they're not above putting a hex on their enemies.

Enter Daryl Van Horn. Summoned to town not by the witches magic, by rather by a desire to escape a past life and possibly numerous creditors; Daryl promptly takes possession of and begins remodeling Lenox Manor. One by one, the witches are seduced by Daryl who each takes him as their lover. In the mean time, the witches have conjured a cookie jar in such as way as to cause their enemy (and most outspoken opponent) Felecia Gabriel to vomit all manner of feathers, dirt, pins, etc...which ultimately leads to her murder by Felecia's husband, who goes on to commit suicide.

Following the death of Felecia and Clyde Gabriel, their children Chris and Jenny return to Eastwick to settle their parent's affairs. Finding the girl to be sweet, innocent, and accommodating and perhaps even out of a sense of guilt, the witches invite Jenny to participate in their activities with Daryl. However, Jenny proves to be too accommodating and accepts Daryl's proposal for marriage. It is then that the witches conspire to punish the girl they believe stole their shared lover for herself.

The remainder of the story examines the lives of all those involved as the witch's curse takes its toll and we are able to also see the consequences of the magic they invoked. In the end, it seems that everyone's relationship suffers. Will the witches be able to undo the damage they have done? Will they be able to heal the rift that has come between them? Will anything ever be the same?

Prudish types may find the frank and sometimes descriptive depictions of the witches sexual encounters unsavory. I personally did not like the slurs the witches use when referring to men they suspect to be gay. However, as a gay man myself I am not unaccustomed to such prejudice and I chalked it up to the women's generation.

I really enjoyed the depictions of the witches flavor of witchcraft and found their use of common household items in their spells an excellent example of Kitchen Witchery. At roughly 300 pages Witches isn't a quick read, as it is filled with a great deal of detail that the author is famous for. Some may feel that the story branches off from it's self in a few places but it only adds to the overall story, as Witches isn't just about three women, it's a story about an entire town and the effects of gossip, scandal, and magic run wild.
"The Witches of Eastwick" is a very unusual novel about three women in New England who seem to be a modern day version of a witches coven. At times the storyline proceeds very slowly with descriptions of scenery literally exceeding, in length, the development of plot line. These descriptions are so intricate that I had to read the story very slowly or a great deal of the narrative would have been lost on me completely. At these times, this is definitely not an easy read. It takes longer to read than its length would suggest.

Personally, I am conflicted thus far about John Updike. John Updike seems to be an author who I SHOULD like, more than an author that I ACTUALLY like. Thus far I have read "Rabbit, Run", an early novel, about which I was very ambivalent, "The Maple Stories", which I liked very much and now "The Witches of Eastwick", and back to ambivalent feelings.

On one hand Mister Updike can write with great erudition and humor. In this novel, there is a scene wherein a character gives a homily at church that is one of the funniest things that I have ever read. And there is no question that as far as scenery goes, Mister Updike can "paint" with words.

Mister Updike is undeniably a very gifted talent. Also he was born in Pennsylvania, as was I, and I WANT to like his work. But there are times, I feel his writing is in very poor taste, to the point of being creepy. "Rabbit, Run" is a early novel. "The Witches of Eastwick" Is a much later novel. In both of them he talks extensively through the voice of female characters. He has them give voice to their feelings about aspects of sexual activity.

The "Witches" speak at length to each other about who they are "f---ing", etc... He has these women speak about certain acts using the most vulgar street nomenclature. In both of these novels he seems to need to explain, through the voice of female characters, their perceptions about certain male fluids, with great particularity. I am sorry but I feel Mister Updike should be able to do better than that. "The Maples Stories" proves that he can write in a more delicate and tasteful manner.

I THINK that Mister Updike believes he is, and means to be, a feminist writer, but I feel some of his writing comes off as demeaning toward women and even at times misogynistic. In "Rabbit, Run" as an example, there is an episode wherein a wife is giving needed advice to her husband, in private, and then she "swishes" out of the room. That is the only time that word is used in that context in that novel. I noticed the same word showed up in this novel in the same context. I don't know, maybe I am being too surgical. As a former detective I payed very close attention to how certain people made use of such words. I don't mean that Mister Updike is violent, I am sure he is not. But our choice of words can speak volumes about who we are and our attitudes.

In summary, this is an interesting novel and in the main, I am glad that I read it. I liked parts of the novel very much, but cannot imagine reading this novel again without specific cause. Although I probably will read the described "homily" again. As a parent I would not allow my children to read this novel. Personally, I need a break from Mister Updike. I do have a copy of a very early novel, "The Poorhouse Fair", which I will read, but not in the immediate future. I did like "The Maple Stories". Thank You.
What could be more fun than one widowed and two divorced women-turned-witches (and, yes, they can cast real spells, so look out!) in a small New England town as they wreak their own version of havoc, revenge, evil and, perhaps especially, love. A devil-type character invades their cozy coven, upsetting the equilibrium in some bizarre, frightening and humorous ways. John Updike's extraordinary writing ability is what makes this so delightful and magical--as well as sexy (and at times quite erotic), horrific, scary and very, very funny. It's a novel about the power of women--especially when they band together. Suspend your sense of reality for a delicious dive into the supernatural. P.S. The book bears only a slight resemblance to the movie.
I read this book when it first came out, and rushed through it, waiting to see what was going to happen. I was looking for simpler explanations of witchcraft and this small town. Later, I saw the movie...and although I loved it (particularly Jack Nicholson as the repulsive/irresistible Darryl), was a bit confused by the changes. I read the book last week, twenty years later. I am amazed at how much more I enjoyed the book this time---probably because I AM older now, and appreciate the descriptions of the complex lives and emotions of the characters. Even the description of getting peanut butter off knives before they go into the dishwasher made sense to me now. Perhaps we react to the detail of this book according to our own life experiences and maturity. Most enjoyable.