“The Afterlife” by John Updike #11

Our mortality is something that we all must face. This subject of mortality is something John Updike tackles in today’s selection. Carter and Jane Billingses are in their fifties, and have been living in New England for quite some time. They have had nice lives, and weren’t looking to change. But then, one of their dearest friends, Frank and Lucy Eggleston moved to England, close to Norfolk. After three years, the Billingses take advantage of an opportunity to visit their friends in Great Britain. It is there that Carter has a near fatal injury which prompts him look at his life differently than before.

This change in perspective, while coming at a cost, is something that I am very happy that Mr. Billingses is able to experience. It is as if he has a small sense of liberation after his experience. It is as if he is finally allowing himself to experience a new life, maybe not taking a few things for granted anymore. Even things such as listening to how Jane and Lucy talk about bird watching are opportunities to think about his life differently than before. In just a small way, I could appreciate Mr. Billingses’ newfound perspective, and I found it enjoyable to read. You can find it in The Afterlife and Other Stories.

Links of Interest:

Official Norfolk Tourist Information

Birds of Norfolk Trailer at YouTube

All About Birds at Cornell Lab of Ornithology