Ten years after the publication of "Rabbit Redux," John Updike returned to his most famous character, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, in the 1981 novel "Rabbit is Rich."

Middle-aged Harry has inherited his father-in-law's car dealership and is financially stable, but he remains unsatisfied with life. He meets a  young woman and wonders if she is the daughter of him and Ruth, his lover from 20 years ago in "Rabbit Run." His son Nelson disappoints him, and the two battle one another over Nelson's unwillingness to accept responsibility and his resentment of his father.

This book takes place against the backdrop of the energy crisis, high inflation, and the Iran hostage crisis of the late 1970s.

Everyman Harry Angstrom is not unhappy but seeks what is missing in his life. Unlike the first two novels in the series, this one does not end in tragedy. Harry and his family have a glimmer of hope as they move forward.

Updike does an excellent job of portraying Harry as a man with simple motivations who is confused about what will make him happy. Harry's closest friend is Charlie, who had an affair with Harry's wife a decade ago, as detailed in "Redux." Harry holds no grudge about the affair and envies Charlie's freedom. As in the previous two novels, Harry's libido often comes to the fore - in particular, as he has a chance to swap partners with a neighbor whose wife he has lusted over. The sex scenes are even more explicit and frequent than in "Run" and "Redux," but they help to establish Harry's character.

The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction - primarily due to its emphasis on the characters. It is full of humor and angst.