“A room containing Philip Roth, I have noticed, begins hilariously to whirl and pulse with a mix of rebelliousness and constriction that I take to be Oedipal.”

American novelist and critic of the late 20th century, Updike is best known for his meticulously observed, psychologically nuanced fiction, particularly the Rabbit series, which chronicled the quiet struggles of an everyman. His work also distinguished itself through sharp, lyrical essays on literature and culture, blending intellectual rigor with accessible warmth.