JOHN UPDIKE1932 - 2009

John Updike’s Works

John Updike’s Life

Born March 18th, 1932 in Shillington, Pennsylvania

Mother: Linda Grace Hoyer Updike - writer Father: Wesley Updike - mathematics teacher Attended Harvard University Studied at Oxford in England Worked at The New Yorker Magazine

John Updike worked for The New Yorker, writing many stories for two years

John Updike’s first novel, The PoorHouse Fair, published in 1959

John Updike with first wife, Mary Pennington, and children

“Separating” by John Updike

The story relates to the failure of John Updike’s first marriage with Mary Pennington.

“Separating” focuses on Richard and Joan Maples and their marriage ending.

Richard goes through the anxiety of trying to tell his and Joan’s children about their separation.

Richard has a hard time telling himself why him and Joan are getting a separation, let alone their children.

John Updike’s Writing Style

Turns the most ordinary people, events and things into interesting stories.

His writing contains strong symbolism with ordinary images or objects.

People can easily relate to his writing because he writes about issues that people face all the time.

Updike wrote about so many different topics and themes. He once said, “If I know about it, I’ll write about it.”

John Updike, an accomplished American author

1932 - 2009