John Updike's Book Review: one I want to read and five I don't care about

John Updike gracefully reviews Ann Patchett's breakthrough novel, Bel Canto in the first part of his book review. He captures the novel with a perfect combination of plot summery and commentary which gave the urge to go out and buy the book. His review falls apart after he finishes his commentary on Bel Canto. He switches awkwardly to a review of Truth and Beauty which includes tangential information about Patchett's relationship with Lucy Grealy. The rest of the review is fully of plot and packed with titles, but lacks the substance that was so riveting in his evaluation of Bel Canto. A reader would be better off by stopping after the first two columns of Updike's review.