Thank you, Barbara! It might have been an elegant way in retrospect, but it felt a little cowardly at the time. Either way, I wish I'd met Updike and said what I intended to say the first time.
Thanks for sharing your moment of feeling ultra-connected to another author--and then pulling back at the realization it was a one-way relationship! Sending you a private message . . .
I've met or interviewed other well-known authors -- Kurt Vonnegut, Saul Bellow, Alice Walker -- but none of them had the impact on me that Updike had. That's a lovely way to put it: a one-way relationship. Sigh.
Maybe a "wannabe" relationship rather than a "one-way"--lol! One of the parts of The Correspondent I loved so much was the heroine's letter writing to famous authors--many of whom responded to her. Beautiful!
I had the chance to meet him when he was on tour for THE AFTERLIFE. I brought with me a VERY battered and marked up copy of PROBLEMS AND OTHER STORIES which one of my professors had us entirely dissect. He signed them both but I remember him being baffled that the prof had us spend so much time with the older book (which is full of exquisite stories!).
I've had that experience before, bringing a dog-earned old copy to a book signing. Just a couple of years ago, with Jon Meacham. I think it must be pleasing to the author.
I'm jealous you actually met him, though I obviously can't say I didn't have my chance.
And there we go again, another kinship. I also froze a long time ago and was just talking about it yesterday, seems like it may be the vagus nerve's fault, not ours ;)
Great story. These situations kill me-- I never know what to say; the only voice I can hear inside my head is my 13 year old self saying, "Seriously? You're not going to approach them?" I saw Derek Jeter from the Yankees one time at a restaurant, but I realized there's really not much to say beyond "Hey Jeter!" or "Yo, Jeter!". Which he's probably heard before. But a legendary author-- that's much tougher. At least you got a good story out of it. Updike would appreciate that.
Eric, lovely piece,,,,and thank you for mentioning the loss - after 70 years- of the iconic, historic Anglo American bookstore on Via della Vite. Cristina and Marcello, and other great people over the years, all created a wonderful place where we local authors were welcome.. it was my distribution point in the city and now I have none.
. thank goodness for substack where many author/friends are now writing and promoting their work - we appreciate the visibility and companionship of this platform.
Who was it who said don't ever meet your heroes? (Ah, no less than Proust!)
I'm no great fan of Updike (always willing to try once more, but meh). He had his time, and one less fan in the world won't hurt his legacy a bit. I respect everyone's right to enthrone their own heroes! (Unless your hero is a murderer or a despot.)
Panic when stepping into the orbit of a literary titan? Definitely relatable.
I know that restaurant. To the right when you descend the Spanish steps. It’s very famous amongst the cinema crowd too. I have met several of my cinematic heros. Some have been disappointing and some very gracious. Glad you could honor John Updike with your writing
I tried to read Updike about 10 yrs ago and I never really got into it. Later someone told me he was a writer most appreciated by men. So I figured thats that. But this makes me want to try again. Where to start??
Amazing. I prefer to think you chose the elegant way out. And then honor him later in your writing. Nicely done.
Thank you, Barbara! It might have been an elegant way in retrospect, but it felt a little cowardly at the time. Either way, I wish I'd met Updike and said what I intended to say the first time.
Thanks for sharing your moment of feeling ultra-connected to another author--and then pulling back at the realization it was a one-way relationship! Sending you a private message . . .
I've met or interviewed other well-known authors -- Kurt Vonnegut, Saul Bellow, Alice Walker -- but none of them had the impact on me that Updike had. That's a lovely way to put it: a one-way relationship. Sigh.
Maybe a "wannabe" relationship rather than a "one-way"--lol! One of the parts of The Correspondent I loved so much was the heroine's letter writing to famous authors--many of whom responded to her. Beautiful!
I wrote to JD Salinger as a kid and he wrote back! I still have the letter. That'll be in a future Dispatch, I'm sure.
You will like The Correspondent!
I had the chance to meet him when he was on tour for THE AFTERLIFE. I brought with me a VERY battered and marked up copy of PROBLEMS AND OTHER STORIES which one of my professors had us entirely dissect. He signed them both but I remember him being baffled that the prof had us spend so much time with the older book (which is full of exquisite stories!).
I've had that experience before, bringing a dog-earned old copy to a book signing. Just a couple of years ago, with Jon Meacham. I think it must be pleasing to the author.
I'm jealous you actually met him, though I obviously can't say I didn't have my chance.
Wow, that's unlike you. But it makes for a better story, I guess. Very well written, Eric. and don't worry, it happens to the best of us.
And there we go again, another kinship. I also froze a long time ago and was just talking about it yesterday, seems like it may be the vagus nerve's fault, not ours ;)
The bullet, freezing up, Yugoslavia.
Who made you freeze up like that?
Bully. I was 6.
I was prepared to be jealous that you met John Updike. False alarm.
I would have loved to brag about he and I becoming fast friends ...
Great story. These situations kill me-- I never know what to say; the only voice I can hear inside my head is my 13 year old self saying, "Seriously? You're not going to approach them?" I saw Derek Jeter from the Yankees one time at a restaurant, but I realized there's really not much to say beyond "Hey Jeter!" or "Yo, Jeter!". Which he's probably heard before. But a legendary author-- that's much tougher. At least you got a good story out of it. Updike would appreciate that.
Eric, lovely piece,,,,and thank you for mentioning the loss - after 70 years- of the iconic, historic Anglo American bookstore on Via della Vite. Cristina and Marcello, and other great people over the years, all created a wonderful place where we local authors were welcome.. it was my distribution point in the city and now I have none.
. thank goodness for substack where many author/friends are now writing and promoting their work - we appreciate the visibility and companionship of this platform.
Who was it who said don't ever meet your heroes? (Ah, no less than Proust!)
I'm no great fan of Updike (always willing to try once more, but meh). He had his time, and one less fan in the world won't hurt his legacy a bit. I respect everyone's right to enthrone their own heroes! (Unless your hero is a murderer or a despot.)
Panic when stepping into the orbit of a literary titan? Definitely relatable.
Yesss! I felt the same ... you can respect a writer without loving their work I guess. Right?
I’m laughing too hard to comment any more coherently. Thank you for your generous gift.
It was funny and dry. Just like I like it. Haha
I know that restaurant. To the right when you descend the Spanish steps. It’s very famous amongst the cinema crowd too. I have met several of my cinematic heros. Some have been disappointing and some very gracious. Glad you could honor John Updike with your writing
I tried to read Updike about 10 yrs ago and I never really got into it. Later someone told me he was a writer most appreciated by men. So I figured thats that. But this makes me want to try again. Where to start??