"Terrorist" by John Updike being released tomorrow...

[Richardo]

I read an advance copy and liked it very much - the story of an 18-year old Muslim estranged from his Egyptian father and living with his Irish Catholic mother and dealing with a Jewish high school guidance counselor in a downscale, former mill town in New Jersey.

Updike explores the reasons Ahmad has for becoming a nascent terrorist, and the insights into the recruiting process make it all seem almost inevitable. Very suspenseful.

I liked it, although I did have to get used to Updike's rather florid writing style.

[reichstag911]

1. Just met Updike yesterday...

...at Chicago's Printers Row Book Fair, where he talked about the book, and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

[Sequoia]

2. Thanks for the review. I was looking online at the NYT

about it.

And, as always, your beagle and that next poster's is so cute. Is that your dog or do you just like it?

[Richardo]

3. Alas, mine is just a cyber-beagle

Although I have 5 real-life (non-beagle) dogs.

[Sequoia]

4. But he's so cute!

[reichstag911]

5. Now that's funny!

In addition to having seen Updike yesterday, I also saw David Maraniss, the guy who just published Clemente (I just noticed your avatar), and got a signed copy of his book, too.

PS And my beagle pup is all-too-real! We just took her in -- she was a stray -- and baby makes four (two of which were in Entertainment Weekly with me, Thom Yorke, and Tom Hanks last week -- see below)!