Higher Gossip

AHAB and Nemesis.

THIS is going to be about a hurling man – but let’s start with some baseball.

THE great American novelist John Updike, though not a sportswriter, did at times indulge his nation’s favourite pasttime. And when he did, he hit a home run.

My Father’s Tears and other Stories

IT’S BEEN a tough week for the greats. John Updike passed away a few days ago at the age of 76.

ZIMBABWE: President Robert Mugabe’s party said yesterday it is prepared to form a government on its own if the opposition won’t join it — a move certain to anger the West.

John Updike, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, prolific man of letters and erudite chronicler of sex, divorce and other adventures in the post-war prime of the American empire, died today. He was 76.

Canadian Yann Martel tonight became the only author ever to win the prestigious Booker prize twice in one year.