Preview of In the Beauty of the Lilies Summary:

As he does in many of his other works, Updike promotes a theme which has troubled many of his critics but earned him the appreciation of a large reading audience: a gentle acceptance of the human condition which recognizes that sexuality and spirituality are equally important in the development of the human personality. Unwilling to judge his characters too harshly, Updike is willing to reveal their strengths and weaknesses and leave it to...