Updike began the adventures of Harry Angstrom with Rabbit, Run in 1960. The protagonist is in his midtwenties, feels trapped by the responsibility of a young family, and tends to run away each time the pressure mounts. He leaves behind a trail of hurt feelings, bitter accusations, and tragic events. His wife accidentally drowns their new baby after one of Harry's repeated desertions. Although his actions may be selfish and cruel, Harry remains a sympathetic character insofar as his restlessness is marked by a nostalgia for the innocence of lost youth, and his sexual adventures are described as a metaphysical yearning.

Ten years later in Rabbit Redux the protagonist still has more questions than answers, but he is less apt to run away from his problems. Despite the chaos of the novel, the ending shows a tentative reconciliation of husband and wife. Updike builds upon that for...