The legendary author’s newest work focuses on a likable 18-year-old would-be suicide bomber. The N.Y. Times and, to a lesser extent, the Washington Post pan the book.


Reuters:

Novelist John Updike watched the first tower of the World Trade Center collapse, yet he speaks with affection of the idealistic Muslim teen-ager in his new novel “Terrorist” who plots to blow up a New York tunnel.

Reviews of Updike’s 22nd novel, to be published on Tuesday, have been good, though the sympathetic portrayal of the title character, 18-year-old Ahmad, sparks unease in some.

“To me it seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. Anybody can write a novel about an evil terrorist,” the Pulitzer prize-winning author said in an interview on Sunday.

Link

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig