Updike

an observer of life's passing parade

John Updike at PEN Congress, January 1986. Gotfryd Bernard. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

I’M A GREAT admirer of Gore Vidal, but sadly, I know that had I ever had the opportunity to meet the great American novelist, historian, essayist and political commentator, the feeling might not have been mutual. How do I know this? Here’s what he said in September 2008, in an interview for BBC Radio’s Bookclub. The interviewer was James Naughtie:

JN: Who is the greatest living American novelist? Vidal spreads his arms wide; audience laughs.¹

GV: (Benignly) And I took the listeners into my arms and heart.

JN: Indeed. Updike is still writing? More laughter; a hiss from someone in the audience.

GV: (Wearily) He is depressing, you know…Updike appeals to all of the people I cannot stand in life.

JN: That’s why I mentioned him.

GV: That’s why I’m answering you.

Vidal was famously dismissive of Updike’s work, and once wrote an essay to that effect. The interviewer was clearly aware of that - there was mischief in the question - and it sounded as if Vidal’s adoring Bookclub audience was too. The subject of Updike was clearly a sore point, and the conversation swiftly moved on.