Letters: Nov. 8, 1982

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Upward Updike

To the Editors:

John Updike [Oct. 18] is America's living man of letters. He has achieved a position of loftiness in the literary world shared only with Robert Penn Warren. Too often the bottle carrying life's message is washed out to sea. Your story "Perennial Promises Kept" has brought it back.

Randy F. Weinstein New Marlboro, Mass.

For more than 20 years I have enjoyed Updike's style and perspective. He explains my generation to me.

Gene Parker Jr. Atlanta

I do not understand why your story on John Updike did not mention his imagery. Anyone who has read Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu will long remember sentences like this one: "The crowd, like an immense sail going limp in a change of wind, sighed with relief."

Richard F. Gregory Pittsburgh

Painter Alex Katz's subtle and delicate cover portrait perfectly records the rare qualities of John Updike: never jaded, always new, alive, intelligent and marvelously controlled.

Helen Sijan Abrams Seattle

What a washed-out portrait of Updike on the cover! Katz missed his subject's warmth and vibrance.

Maeann Myers Northport, N. Y.

John Updike is one of my favorite writers, but obviously I am not one of his favorite artists. When I painted him for the 1968 TIME cover, he thought I put his teeth in upside down and made him look like Dracula. Now I am happy to find my work immortalized in his poetry.

Robert Vickrey Orleans, Mass

No Help Wanted

As the President indicated in his speech [Oct. 18], his Administration has taken care of 80% of our major problems. The last, unemployment, is the only area the Democrats have left for attacking Reagan. If the congressional Democrats would put their country before their own selfish political motives and be patient, the U.S. could complete its recovery.

Paul Metrey Rockville, Md.

The article on double-digit unemployment failed to touch upon the most significant cause. A large percentage of the unemployed formerly worked in heavy industry or businesses directly dependent on it. Unfortunately, a major portion of America's basic industries can no longer compete with foreign suppliers. Until workers deliver more productivity and quality for their wages, unemployment will remain high.

H. Jackson Dorney Miramar, Fla.

President Reagan keeps insisting the economy is looking up. That is true only because the economy is now flat on its back.

Carl Mandelker New York City

Carter's Memory Lane

Although former President Jimmy Carter makes no claims for himself in his account of the Camp David episode [Oct. 11], it is clear that the accord was the work of a gifted and completely dedicated man. He was treated shabbily by his countrymen, especially by those of his own party. History will deal more kindly and fairly with Jimmy Carter than his contemporaries have.

Ina C. Brown Nashville