“Updike quashed the voice of his conscience, while at the same time clinging to a “me-first Salvationism.” — Adam Begley Copy Share Image
“White encouraged Updike’s equally scrupulous commitment. They bonded over dashes, colons, and commas—most amazingly in an exchange of letters in the last two months… — Adam Begley Copy Share
“I scuttled without a shell, between houses and wives, a snake between skins, a monster of selfishness, my grotesque needs naked and pink.” — Adam Begley Copy Share
“Even more than black death he dreaded the gaudy gate: the mask of sweet red rubber, the violet overhead lights, the rattling ride through… — Adam Begley Copy Share
“[A]s Norman Mailer pointed out decades ago, and Philip Roth not long afterwards, niceness is the enemy. Every soft stroke from society is like… — Adam Begley Copy Share
“I read and talked into the microphone and was gracious to the local rich, the English faculty and the college president, and the students… — Adam Begley Copy Share
“Updike quashed the voice of his conscience, while at the same time clinging to a “me-first Salvationism.” — Adam Begley Copy Share
“the students with their clear skin and shining eyes and inviting innocence, like a blank surface one wishes to scribble obscenities on.” — Adam Begley Copy Share
“the “human need for transcendence should be met with minimal embarrassments to reason,” — Adam Begley Copy Share
