The Witches of Eastwick

The Witches of Eastwick

First Edition cover
Author	John Updike
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Fantasy
Publisher	Knopf
Publication date	April 12, 1984
Media type	Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages	320 pp
ISBN	0-394-53760-2
OCLC	10183130
Dewey Decimal	813/.54 19
LC Class	PS3571.P4 W5 1984
Followed by	The Widows of Eastwick

The Witches of Eastwick is a 1984 novel by American writer John Updike.

Plot

The story, set in the fictional Rhode Island town of Eastwick in the late 1960s, follows the witches Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont, who acquired their powers after leaving or being left by their husbands (although Alexandra is a widow). Their coven is upset by the arrival of Darryl Van Horne, who buys a neglected mansion outside of town. The mysterious Daryl seduces each of the women, encouraging their creative powers and creating a scandal in the town. The power of the three witches grows, so much so that they unknowingly bewitch the townsfolk they come in contact with. This becomes clear when Sukie's lover and boss, Clyde Gabriel, kills his busybody wife Felicia before hanging himself.

The three women share Daryl in relative peace until he unexpectedly marries their young, innocent friend, Jenny, the Gabriels' daughter. The witches resolve to take revenge by giving her cancer through their magic. Although Alexandra feels remorse for their hex, the spell kills Jenny and Daryl flees town with her younger brother, Chris, apparently his lover. In his wake, he leaves their relationships strained and their sense of self in doubt. Eventually, each summons her ideal man and leaves town.

Literary significance and criticism

Updike described his novel as "about female power, a power that patriarchal societies have denied." Many scholars viewed it as strongly pro-feminist, "an intelligent engagement with feminism, and a rare case of a male novelist writing from women's points of view." ^[1] Some have expressed concern that the book may be misogynistic, as it seems to reinforce the patriarchal conceptions of women as witches and of women requiring a man for personal growth; others believe that the book may be more of a satire of such ideas.^[2]

At the same time, there were those who praised the novel as a departure from John Updike's previous novels. ^[1]

Film, television, and theatrical adaptations

• In 1987, the novel was adapted into a film starring Jack Nicholson as Darryl, Cher as Alexandra, Susan Sarandon as Jane, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Sukie. The film's Oscar-nominated score was composed by John Williams.
• In 1992, a television series pilot aired starring Michael Siberry as James, Ally Walker as Alexandra, Julia Campbell as Jane, and Catherine Mary Stewart as Sukie. It was not picked up as a series.
• In 2000, the novel was adapted into a stage musical by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe.
• In 2002, a television series pilot was filmed based on the world created in the book, called simply Eastwick. It starred Jason O'Mara as Darryl, Marcia Cross as Jane, Kelly Rutherford as Alexandra, and Lori Loughlin as Sukie. It was not picked up as a series so only the pilot episode exists.
• In 2002, The Witches of Eastwick musical opened in Australia, starring Paul McDermott as Darryl Van Horne, Marina Prior as Jane Smart, Pippa Grandison as Sukie Rougemont and Angela Toohey as Alexandra Spofford.
• In 2007, the stage musical had its American debut at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.^[3]
• The Widows of Eastwick, John Updike's sequel to The Witches of Eastwick, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in October 2008.
• In 2009, The Witches of Eastwick was adapted into a television series on ABC, this one entitled Eastwick, with Lindsay Price, Jaime Ray Newman and Rebecca Romijn as the three witches. Paul Gross played Darryl.^[4] Veronica Cartwright who had played Felicia Alden in the 1987 movie is also in the cast of the series as Bun Waverly. The show was cancelled during its first season.

References