--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up reading Updike. I remember…" description: "\"I grew up reading Updike. I remember being alarmed to find that he had published short stories by the time he was 22. I think 'Pigeon Feathers' was the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/justin-cartwright-7411_art_i-grew-up-reading-updike-i-remember-bein_1980843.jpg" --- # I grew up reading Updike. I remember being alarmed to find… ![“I grew up reading Updike. I remember being alarmed to find that he had published short stories by the time he was 22. I think 'Pigeon Feathers' was the first collection of stories I read. Only much later did I discover his non-fiction reviewing and art criticism.” quote by Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/justin-cartwright-7411_art_i-grew-up-reading-updike-i-remember-bein_1980843.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/justin-cartwright-7411_art_i-grew-up-reading-updike-i-remember-bein_1980843.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/justin-cartwright-7411_art_i-grew-up-reading-updike-i-remember-bein_1980843.jpg) > “I grew up reading Updike. I remember being alarmed to find that he had published short stories by the time he was 22. I think 'Pigeon Feathers' was the first collection of stories I read. Only much later did I discover his non-fiction reviewing and art criticism.” [Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cartwright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on early exposure to John Updike's work, noting surprise at his young publishing age and later discovery of his broader writing. **In simple terms:** Early reading revealed Updike's prolific early career and later non‑fiction work. Key Takeaway Recognize how early influences shape literary appreciation. Themes literary discovery author influence reading development Mood reflective curious Type analytical personal When to use this quote - academic study - personal reading journey - teaching literature Key Concepts early career non‑fiction art criticism Questions to Reflect On - How did Updike's early stories affect your taste? - What value do you find in an author's non‑fiction? A Different Perspective Limited context about the speaker's personal impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Collection Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collection-stories-886911/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Find](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/find/) [Reading Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-updike-3380779/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Short stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-stories/) [Stories Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories-read-378257/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Updike Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/updike-remember-3380780/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“her short stories read like perfect songs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/her-short-stories-read-like-perfect-songs/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) > [I've been into short stories ever since I read an Angela Carter collection when I was a teenager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-mayberry/i-ve-been-into-short-stories-ever-since-i-read-an-angela-carter/) [Lauren Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-mayberry/) > [A stellar, fully-realized collection of stories... grounded, wonderfully, in the river valleys of western Maine. 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