I just read that John Updike has died after battling lung cancer. He was 76.

Absolutely one of the greats. I knew he was going to pass some day, but still a day I hoped wouldn't come. The "Rabbit" books are still right up there with my favorite novels ever.

I wrote a bit more on my blog if anyone is interested: http://spatulaforum.blogspot.com/

A great loss. RIP

RIP John Updike

He will be missed.

Hoping to fashion a mirror, the lover
doth polish the face of his beloved
until he produces a skull.

Depressing to me a thread like this gets 5 posts and Ricardo Montalban lights up the internets. Not that I don't think "Khaaaaann!" wasn't cool, but a shame Updike doesn't get the same kind of passion.

Where to start with Updike? I see lots of his books are still in print and freely and cheaply available on Amazon, even in hardcover. I placed a preorder for his two upcoming books this summer already, and am thinking of picking up the two Everyman hardcovers with the Rabbit and Bech stories.