John Updike has lost his cancer fight - Dead at 76

The AP is reporting that Updike's publisher, Alfred A. Knopf has issued a statement that he passed away earlier today (Tuesday) after a long battle with cancer. At this point, pretty much everyone else is just repeating the AP blurb. In a hour or so, NYT, et al will polish up the obits they have had more or less finished for the last 6 months and there will be much to read.

Over his life he won nearly every literary prize, including not one but two Pulitzers (Rabbit is Rich and Rabbit at Rest). He also won a pair of National Book Awards. Great writer. Great loss. Always annoying to lose a great when there are so many terrible hacks who couldn't be healthier. I'll have to add a book or two to my reading pile...