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The Witches of Eastwick
The Witches of Eastwick: A Novel | John Updike
49 posts | 56 read | 29 to read
Toward the end of the Vietnam era, in a snug little Rhode Island seacoast town, wonderful powers have descended upon Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie, bewitching divorces with sudden access to all that is female, fecund, and mysterious. Alexandra, a sculptor, summons thunderstorms; Jane, a cellist, floats on the air; and Sukie, the local gossip columnist, turns milk into cream. Their happy little coven takes on new, malignant life when a dark and moneyed stranger, Darryl Van Horne, refurbishes the long-derelict Lenox mansion and invites them in to play. Thenceforth scandal flits through the darkening, crooked streets of Eastwickand through the even darker fantasies of the towns collective psyche. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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review
Emilymdxn
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Panpan

There were parts of this I… nearly enjoyed? The description of the town was nice and some of the magic. But EVERY woman on EVERY page was having her weight and bodily functions described in truly bizarre detail. I‘m not sure if John Updike has a) never met a woman or b) only met women he truly truly despised and sort of believed were just fat messy automata??

CSeydel One of the rare cases where the movie is better 9mo
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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candc320
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Haven‘t watched this one in a while but thought it was perfect for yesterday‘s #scarathlondailyprompts : witch. #scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter

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marleed
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Mehso-so

I appreciate some of the writing of this, and I‘m glad I finally read it - so for that it garners a barely there so-so rating from me. When Jenny came in past the half way point I finally became more interested in the story. Before then, as I‘d read I‘d just think, ick.

Librariana I've never read the book or watched the movie... but I'm hoping to resolve the latter and not the former 😉😁😊 2y
marleed @Librariana Good luck! I‘ve wanted to read this for a long time and I‘m glad I read it even though I‘m certain it will never be a reread. In some ways it reminds me of the way I felt when reading Lolita. 2y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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wildwoodreads
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It's time. Spooky season has officially begun.🎃🎃🎃Break out the pumpkin spice lattes (And turn on the air. Let's be reasonable. I still live in Alabama🥵). The days are getting shorter, and the leaves are starting to turn. This is the time that I live for. And I‘ve picked out a few great reads for my TBR this month. I can‘t wait to dive into them.

What are you reading this month?

https://wildwoodreads.com/2022/09/01/september-2022-tbr/

Aims42 I just finished “Babel” today and I loved it!! Was a perfect read for back to school time 📝📚🎓🚌 2y
wildwoodreads @Aims42 I‘m reading it right now and I‘m really enjoying it! 2y
67 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
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Y‘all. This #basicwitchswap had me fangirling from start to finish! So much fun and these books are amazing! Thank you so much to @AmyG for these amazing goodies to start out my Halloween and to @mklong and @sprainedbrain for organizing!!

sprainedbrain Omg those spatulas!! And Circe 😍… @AmyG is just awesome. Happy Halloween! 🖤 2y
AmyG You are very welcome. @sprainedbrain 😘 2y
DinoMom I need those spatulas in my life! Great package! 2y
mklong Love the bookmark! 2y
41 likes4 comments
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Birdsong28
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Pickpick

Good. Interesting characters and concept but it didn't draw me in as much as I thought it would as it didn't really get going till the third part as it was spilt into 3 volumes. Even though this is full of witchy goings on and you do want to see how it plays out, it does feel dated.

#Penquin

MoonWitch94 Have you ever seen the film 🎞? It‘s pretty good. 4y
Birdsong28 @MoonWitch94 No but I may seek it out as I think it might play out better as a movie. 📚📖 4y
MoonWitch94 I‘ve heard it‘s better than the book which is why I never pursued the book. You should check it out. I‘d be curious to know your thoughts. 4y
43 likes3 comments
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Birdsong28
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Just another unusual item I use as a bookmark 🔖 😂😂😂😂

#catsoflitsy #petsoflitsy #litsyhumour

kspenmoll 😹😹😹 4y
epsitawithane 😂😂😂 4y
Bookwomble 😻 4y
See All 6 Comments
Nute 🤣 4y
Gissy Unique!😻 4y
58 likes6 comments
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Birdsong28
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Started the tagged book this morning and found this ticket inside as I bought from a library sale. I love finding things like this as it makes me wonder who the person was and if they enjoyed this exhibition. The date on the ticket is 10/9/2018 and if anyone can translate for me please as I don't speak German it would be most appreciated. 😊 📚 📖

Oryx It's from the Art History museum in Vienna 4y
Oryx So interesting to find things in books. I'm always finding old boarding cards in mine. 4y
Oryx Or Historical Art... 4y
Birdsong28 @oryx Thank you 📚📖 4y
36 likes4 comments
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AprilMae
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Thank you @BayouGirl85 for the great package! #LLFS

Bookgoil I love it enjoy everything!!‘ 4y
BayouGirl85 😊😊 4y
30 likes3 comments
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FantasyChick
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#3books #IHate

Biggest disappointment was Witches of Eastwick. I just couldn't with this book.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 📚👎🏻📚 4y
MsMelissa I love seeing the books people hate even more than seeing the ones they love. Is that weird? 4y
Hooked_on_books I liked the Furies, by totally agree with you on Eastwick. It was so appallingly bad that I bailed not very far in. 4y
FantasyChick @Book_Fiend_Melissa It's not weird at all. I'm the same way. Seeing what books people hate makes me want to read them more 😂 4y
FantasyChick @Hooked_on_books Same. I might have made it a quarter of the way through. Perfect example of men who shouldn't write female characters 😬 4y
30 likes1 stack add5 comments
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FantasyChick
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Love the movie, hated the book

1. I am a reality tv junkie. The trashier, the better. Jersey Shore, Love Is Blind, The Circle, 90 Day Fiance.....just to name some recent ones 😄

2. You have NO idea how grateful I am that tomorrow is Friday 😂😂😂

If you're reading....you're tagged!

#ThankfulThursday @Cosmos_Moon

emz711 omg did you watch Eastwick when it was on? So good! and so trash. 4y
Cosmos_Moon Woot! Friday is almost here! I‘m happy for the weekend too! Why didn‘t you like the book? I‘m intrigued, cause I rarely feel that way, but sometimes do. I haven‘t read or seen this one, though. 4y
26 likes2 comments
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FantasyChick
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Bailedbailed

45% and I'm really surprised I was able to cringe for this long.

The only thing I even came close to enjoying about this book is that the Witches are actually Witches. Horrible, miserable witches.

This book just makes me feel dirty....and not in a happy way.

Hard pass

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Ericalambbrown
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Pickpick

I finished this up while in KC this weekend. It‘s the first John Updike I‘ve read. I had seen the wacktastic film adaptation, which is very little like the book. It looks like this book is terribly unpopular but I thought it was a pretty decent little satire on the expectations society piles upon women, particularly in generations past.

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mrs.stevens
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Only on page 41 and not sure if I‘ll be able to finish....Anyone else read this one?! Did you like it?! The reviews I‘ve read haven‘t been the best.....but I‘m pushing through! 📖😬

Breanne1 I struggled with this too! 4y
Nute This book is my one true ‘book bail.‘ It‘s been years and I‘ve reconsidered it only once, but then concluded that the result would probably be the same as before. 4y
13 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Panpan

This was my first Updike and perhaps it wasn't the best one to start with.

I was bored through this entire book and disliked all the characters.

Anyone an Updike fan? And if so, which book of his would you recommend?

#screamathon @4thhouseontheleft
#ReadingUSA2019 #RhodeIsland @Librarybelle

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Christinak
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“She didn‘t want to be a mere ingredient in Jane‘s poison pot, part of the daily #local stew, she wanted to look out of her window and see miles and miles of empty golden land, dotted with sage, and the tips of the distant mountains a white as vaporous as that of clouds, only coming to a point.”

#QuotsyOct19 #AllHallowsRead #GiveAScaryBook

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Lizpixie
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Another free space taken with another perfect Halloween movie. Jack Nicholson is at his best and most deranged in this plus Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer & Susan Sarandon are perfect as a trio of witches. Highly recommend. #Scareathlon #TeamSlaughter #HalloweenMovieBingo 2points #PointsTotal-79

GypsyKat Oh yes! Great one! 🎃🎃🎃 5y
FantasyChick Oh I love this movie! 5y
vivastory I saw this on HBO after it was first released & I've never forgotten the vomit scene 😬😂 5y
Lizpixie @vivastory I know! I was actually eating something when that scene came on🤢 5y
27 likes4 comments
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Reveurs
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#basicwitch @sprainedbrain @meaw_catlady

Tea, always tea
Fiction 🧜‍♂️🧚‍♀️🧞‍♂️
Dark 🖤
Both 😺🐺
Either
Story 📝
Plants 🌵🌳🌴
West ⬅️

Meaw_catlady 🖤🖤🖤 5y
1 like1 comment
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Nute
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#30JuneBooks - DNF: This is always my only answer for a book that I felt was impossible to read to completion. I tried, but it could not be done. It was several years ago and today is still considered one of my best decisions for maintaining a happy day-to-day life attitude!😁

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Cinfhen
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#MayMovieMagic I‘ve only seen the film 🎞 🍿and what a cast❣️❣️❣️#BewitchedBotheredBewildered

TrishB Another film I‘ve not seen 😁 5y
RohitSawant Haven't seen this one yet either, sounds great! 5y
Cinfhen This movie is so old @TrishB @rohit-sawant I wonder how it holds up to age!?! Although anything with young Jack Nicholson has to be fabulous ❤️ 5y
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GripLitGrl Love this movie💖 5y
Cinfhen I want to watch it now @GripLitGrl it‘s been so long since I last saw it 5y
Owlizabeth I think of this movie whenever I eat cherries!! 5y
Cinfhen Hahaha @Owlizabeth “Have Another Cherry 🍒 “ 🤢 5y
82 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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KatWDV
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Just started this!

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Hooked_on_books
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Bailedbailed

While I need a #RhodeIsland book for #ReadingUSA2019, I just can‘t with this book. It meanders back and forth between long, dragging passages, casual racism, and heavy misogyny. There are better options out there, so no thank you.

Sweettartlaura For a Rhode Island book try 5y
Hooked_on_books @Sweettartlaura Thanks, I‘ll definitely keep that in mind! I also have a book of Providence Noir that I may use. 5y
Pamwurtzler If you‘re looking for a little cozy Newport, try the Gilded Newport series - here‘s the first one. 5y
See All 7 Comments
Sweettartlaura Oooh, noir is always good 🤗 5y
Hooked_on_books @Pamwurtzler That‘s a good thought. I may go that way. 5y
BarbaraBB I am thinking of this one for that state 5y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB That one has come across my radar. It‘s definitely on the list of possibilities. 5y
45 likes7 comments
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Ash2227
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“In attempting creation we take on creations burden of guilt, of murder & irreversibility...entwined like all of us to mother eve.“

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CoffeeNBooks
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#NewHogwartsAdventure #DarkArts @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88
(I actually liked the movie better than the book- I don't like Updike's writing style in this novel)

Reviewsbylola This is the only Updike I‘ve read. It was just ok for me. I want to read more from him though! 6y
DragonAuthors Okay, I admit it. I had no idea this was by John Updike! 6y
vkois88 I need to watch/read this... 6y
81 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Nute
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#Riotgrams - Book You Never Finished: This is the only book that I never finished for reason of dislike. There have been other books that I got distracted from or I ran out of time or I had too many other things happening at the same time. But I bailed on this book because I didn‘t like it. It‘s been years. Sometimes I think about it. Sometimes I feel bad about it. Sometimes I wonder if I should try again.👇🏽

Nute Then the memory comes rushing in...this was a terrible experience. Reconsideration...I don‘t think so. 6y
Trashcanman Is it as bad as reading Dickens? Would you rather go to the dentist than read this? 6y
Reviewsbylola I wasn‘t at all impressed by this one. It‘s been years though since I‘ve read it. 6y
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Chellebearss I also started this one and put it down. Which really disappointed me as I went to a lot of trouble to find a copy of it ☹️ 6y
Nute @Trashcanman I enjoy reading your comments about Dickens. Okay, so here goes our new budding friendship, I like Dickens and his books. He‘s long winded, but he wrote for serials so that might make sense. I‘m trying to remember your specific dislikes. Anyway this is my absolute choice for a book that I‘ll never try again. I don‘t even think that I own it anymore. Is that good news?🙄 6y
Nute @Reviewsbylola @Chellebearss It was a long time ago for me as well. Every now and then it crosses my mind out of the blue. I don‘t why, because I don‘t ever plan to try again. 6y
Trashcanman @Nute that works I haven't read anything by John Updike except his short story entitled The A&P. It was ok....😊😊 But Dickens is on a different level! Hehehehe 6y
Trashcanman 👁️👁️ 6y
73 likes1 stack add8 comments
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GripLitGrl
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Ruthiella Loved the movie but did not get on with the book! 🤔 6y
58 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LA_Mead
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I went to our cute little used bookstore over the weekend and couldn‘t resist picking up a few new books. Even though I have a towering TBR stack... #neverenoughbooks

KateFulfordAuthor Can in add another?!? If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. 6y
41 likes1 comment
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Chellebearss
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Sometimes there are too many options! Leaning towards The Witches of Eastwick next ... but perhaps not? #toreadornottoread

AmyG It‘s a wonderful read. 6y
Sjhaug I love dexter! But Rooms has the best cover. :) 6y
TheRomantiCate Oh I LOVE Dexter 😍 6y
See All 15 Comments
PathfinderNicole I loved The Witches of New York! 6y
Chellebearss @AmyG I hope so! :-) 6y
Chellebearss @Sjhaug @TheRomantiCate I loved the show Dexter. Have you read the book too? (edited) 6y
Chellebearss @PathfinderNicole I‘ve been hearing good things about Ami McKay‘s novels :-) 6y
TheRomantiCate @Chellebearss Yes, I‘ve read the first one, but I‘ve been meaning to read the rest of the series to see where the show differs 6y
Sjhaug @Chellebearss Honestly I also watched the show first and felt the books didn‘t quite stack up but it might have just been the order and not the books themselves. Books still totally enjoyable. 6y
rwmg You can't go wrong with Pratchett 6y
Chellebearss @TheRomantiCate I loved the show so I hope the books are just as good! 6y
Chellebearss @Sjhaug I hope the first book brings back the feelings from when I watched and loved the show. 6y
Chellebearss @rwmg I actually just finished Pratchett‘s The Colour of Magic. It was pretty good 6y
TheRomantiCate @Chellebearss same!! My love of Dexter was the only thing I got from my last ex 😜 6y
102 likes2 stack adds15 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
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Mehso-so

I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't find the story as captivating as I thought I would. I did, however, enjoy hearing Jack Nicholson's voice as I read Darryl Van Horne's dialogue.

robinb ❤️ Jack! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @robinb I love him in every movie he's in! 6y
robinb @CoffeeNBooks me too! I miss seeing him so much! 😔 6y
50 likes3 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
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Current situation. ☕📚 Birds are chirping and my windchime is chiming in the background. 🎶 This is going to be such a lovely day for reading!!

PenguinInFlight Jealous! It looks so warm and nice there! 😍Enjoy your day. ☺️📖 (I still have snow and it‘s bitter cold. 😩) 6y
CoffeeNBooks @PenguinInFlight I'm enjoying this nice weather now, because soon it will be so hot that no one wants to go outside, lol! 6y
tracey38 This sounds perfect. Can't wait for it to warm up here in NC. 6y
See All 7 Comments
LikelyLibrarian Looks like @Bookworm83 has the same mug. Very cool! 6y
Bookworm83 @LikelyLibrarian Great minds, right? 😉 It‘s one of my favorite mugs...it holds just the right amount of coffee ☕️ (edited) 6y
CoffeeNBooks @Bookworm83 I just saw your post with the same mug! 😃 6y
Bookworm83 😃☕️😀☕️ 6y
43 likes1 stack add7 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
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It's finally spring break!! This is my spring break TBR stack... planning to start with The Witches of Eastwick.

Bklover Enjoy your Spring Break!! (edited) 6y
CoffeeNBooks @Bklover Thanks! 9 days to read books!! 😃 6y
robinb Welcome to Litsy! 😊 6y
staci.reads Great choices, and welcome to Litsy! If you haven't yet, check out #teachersofLitsy to find some other great teachers to follow! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @staci.reads Great- thanks! 6y
34 likes1 stack add5 comments
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La_Cori
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next up..
my last book for 2017 📆 (and the last book for the alphabet challenge on Goodreads - it was hard to find a last name with an U!!!)

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jenniferw88
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Pickpick

Letter U completed for #LitsyAtoZ
4 ⭐
@BookishMarginalia

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GidgetsTreasures75
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review
JacintaMCarter
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Panpan

#2017Book184
#LitsyAtoZ Part 1: TBR books by author
#BookU

Bookgirl Agreed. Terrible book. The movie is fun, a rare case of movie-better-than-book 7y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JacintaMCarter
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I keep seeing people posting this from Facebook. I didn't realize it was from the book I'm currently reading.

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JacintaMCarter
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Yes, because nothing makes me want a man more than having him comment on my weight.

Alfoster 😂😂😂😂! 7y
DivineDiana "His being awful rather helped" ? 7y
39 likes3 comments
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JacintaMCarter
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#TBR (Those within easy reach anyway.) #AwesomeAutumnBooks

54 likes3 stack adds
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JacintaMCarter
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Instead of #EndPages, I want to draw attention to this front cover, which I'm probably going to have to cover when I read it in public. #BooksAcrossOceans

38 likes1 stack add
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Lauren_reading
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I haven't read this book (and don't really want to), but how confused was Updike about women's anatomy?!?! 😂😂😂

TheBookAddict 😳🤔🤔🤔... 7y
MicheleinPhilly 🤦🏻‍♀️ 7y
CharissaWeaksAuthor 😂😂😂😂😂I think he was slightly confused and inexperienced LOL 7y
See All 11 Comments
Ericmanciniwriter I love Updike but whenever he writes about sex or women's bodies things go horribly awry 7y
Captivatedbybooks @Eamann 😂😂😂😂 7y
cariashley HA I've seen this posted before and it kills me every time 🙄🤣 7y
readordierachel Wow. That is hilarious and mildly alarming. 7y
Bklover Wow. 😂😂 7y
Kristy_K Omg. Lol! 7y
Rcoco Some things men should just not write about Smh 7y
Angeles Thanks for letting me know I shouldn't waste time or money on Updike's books. Life is too short to bother with badly written nonsense 7y
69 likes1 stack add11 comments
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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tpixie I had no idea he was the Eastwick author! 7y
13 likes2 comments
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Raminga
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Pickpick

È stata una di quelle letture che mi hanno fatto esclamare "ovviamente meglio il libro del film". La narrazione è molto fluida e la suddivisione in soli 3 capitoli a mio parere è affascinante poichè rimanda numerologicamente al valore simbolico di questo numero.

1 like1 stack add
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SlawkaGrabowska
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Total #bookgasm
First U.K. edition (1984) of "The Witches of Eastwick". I have never planned on getting it, it kind of found me

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CherylDeFranceschi
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My constant. My familiar. My best friend. Lily ❤️#readingbuddy #photoadaynov16

Megabooks Sweet!! 💗💗 7y
DebinHawaii Look at those eyes! Very sweet! 🐱❤️ 7y
KarenUK Beautiful! 💕💕 7y
See All 8 Comments
SharonGoforth 😻😻😻 7y
James Cute kitty! 7y
Bookzombie 💕🐱 7y
Bette Sweet Lily! 💖🐱 7y
Faibka 😻💕💕💕 7y
87 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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niki.inwonderland
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#hauntedbooktober challenge #14: Witches and Wizards 🔮
Crystal's and candles and chalice's, oh my ☻
#witchesofeastwick #johnupdike

10 likes1 stack add
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SassyGirlReading
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Mehso-so

I wanted to ❤️ The Witches of Eastwick, but it was just so-so for me.

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Martta
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Mehso-so

I didn't like the book that much. I did read it through but it could have been better.

HollyQ I remember thinking this book was disappointing. 8y
3 likes1 comment
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allisonRC
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A New England read-perfect book for Autumn 🍂🍂🍂🍂🍁🍁🍁🌼🌼🎃

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Shazzer
Panpan

I hated the book. I hated the writing style. I hated the characters who were so selfish and self absorbed. I think I would find it hard to read another book by this author.