John Updike

Perigee's newest contributing editor, Thomas E. Kennedy, reflects on John Updike's philosophy, his generous nature, and the distant friendship they began to foster in 2000.

"I had met him once before, at a conference in the Netherlands, but doubted that he would remember me. I sidled up, cradling my glass of red wine close to my chest to avoid mishaps, in the hope of getting close enough to make my face visible to this great writer whose work had been a model of style for me since I was a teenager. As I penetrated the second tier of the ring of people around him, I became dazzled by the man's aura—his stature, his bearing, his powerful smile, his great mane of silver hair."

Read the entire essay by clicking here.