NATIONAL BESTSELLER A LIVING POWERFULLY PHYSICAL WORK . . . UPDIKE IS ASUPERBLY SKILLFUL WRITER.The Wall Street Journal WHAT A PIECE OFWORK IS UPDIKE Our own ki... » 

NATIONAL BESTSELLER A LIVING POWERFULLY PHYSICAL WORK . . . UPDIKE IS ASUPERBLY SKILLFUL WRITER.The Wall Street Journal WHAT A PIECE OFWORK IS UPDIKE Our own king of erudition has gone back to the Hamlet story toimagine its inception its offstage prestory when Claudius fell in love withhis brothers queen and that first dastardly deed in the garden was set inmotion. Wickedly replete with allusions weaving the history of ideas with thelustier possibilities of adulterous coupling. . . . There is somethingdelightful about following Updike down this path seeing his sentiments andsympathies unfold.The Boston Globe WITTY . . . FRESH AND MOVING . .. Engrossing enough on its own terms to stand independently of Shakespearesplay.Time UPDIKE HAS MANAGED TO CREATE IN GERTRUDE A GENUINELYCOMPELLING CHARACTER a woman who is by turns vulnerable and outspokendaring and naive. . . . One of his most sympathetic and persuasive femalecharacters.The New York Times BRILLIANT.New Republic «