“Billy Collins writes lovely poems. Limpid, gently and consistently startling, more serious than they seem, they describe all the worlds that are and were and some others besides.”

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.