a beautiful collection of short stories

Too Far To Go is a collection of short stories by John Updike that follows a couple, the Maples, from the beginning of their marriage until its ultimate collapse twenty-something years later.

The beauty of the stories lies in the fact that Updike takes his reader from year to year in the lives of the Maples, following them through good times and bad, and allows his audience to witness the slow breakdown of their relationship. There is never a specific aspect of their relationship that leads to its end (except perhaps a lack of satisfaction in the bedroom), but this couple remains friends and retains an obvious affection for one another. This fact causes them and the reader to constantly question exactly what the problem is and keeps the pages turning.

John Updike's poetic writing style is showcased in this collection of short stories. The strength of Updike's writing is made quite evident by the fact that he can take a simple subject, the plumbing of a house (story: "Plumbing"), and twist it into an analogy for a marriage that is deteriorating.

Updike is a true master of the short story. This collection reads like a novel bringing the reader moments of heartache and the occasional bittersweet smile as he or she is able to compare situations in the book to his or her own life.

All in all, this is a wonderful text that I believe many individuals in many types of relationships can relate to.