The Other John Updike Archive

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July 13, 1972 Final Night of the Democratic National Convention

Johnny And Mary

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Many  years later he still appears to to be intrigued by novel ideas (or ideas for a novel?)

Updike found a nuance in the New Testament that he saw as sorely lacking in the Old. His theology made explicit in his last days may be responsible for the embargo of his final work (until2029) on the foundations of Christianity and the militant theology of Saint Paul (whom he concluded got it right).

Updike annoyed covenanted Jew and author Cynthia Ozick by implying that Judaism (in Kafkas case) might be admirably transcended. The difference between the Lords treatment of the woman at the well in the New Testament and Lots wife in the Old Testament speaks volumes.

The former was treated as a pillar of her community, the latter would become a  pillar of salt.  This begs a difficult question. Is Faith by its very natureexclusive? Can beliefs that are not merely divergent but polar opposite be reconciled in our deepest natures? Here we plead confusion or often present allegorical dilution.

As Updike put it To be [judged] sane, is to a great extent to be sociable

 From the heartbreak of psoriasis to Lancome skin care model

Updikes old address book with childs (?) writing: I want to go back to Ipswich and I miss you 4 Highland Ave Ipswich Mass. The ink isnt Updikes could the pencil be be his?

Check for Mothers trust?

Giving the mundane its beautiful due John Updike

Attention is what creates value. Artworks are made as well by how people interact with them — and therefore by what quality of interaction they can inspire. So how do we assess an artist who we suspect is dreadful but who manages to inspire the right storm of attention, and whose audience seems to swoon in the appropriate way? We say, ‘Well done.’

The question is: ‘Is the act of getting attention a sufficient act for an artist? Or is that in fact the job description?’

Perhaps the art of the future will be indistinguishable.  From Brian Enos diary