While not the strongest of Updike's novels about the life of Harry (Rabbit) Angstrom, Rabbit Remembered is no less essential. What's missing, of course, is Harry himself. This novel is about those he left behind, especially his estranged son Nelson. 

Except, in some ways, Harry isn't missing as his influence is strongly felt by his family, even after his passing ten years earlier. Updike ensures this by bringing 40-year-old Annabelle into their lives. Annabelle is Harry's daughter from an affair with a woman named Ruth. In previous novels, Updike had allured to her, even bringing Ruth and Annabelle into Harry's life at times, but always at a distance. 

Annabelle is chiefly important in Rabbit Remembered because her presence underscores Harry's absence, allowing Updike's ensemble of characters to explore their life with the sometimes larger-than-life Harry Armstrong. This is especially true of Nelson, who shares stories about their father and, in doing so, makes peace with the past. It's essential for Nelson, who feels like he has lost his mother, Janice, to Rabbit's old rival Ronnie, and his ex-wife Pru, who left him with the kids. 

The split between Nelson and Pru's marriage creates another familiarity for readers, as Nelson and his son Roy have a relationship similar to the one Nelson had with Harry. Nelson is well-suited to explore these feelings as a more mature but lonely man and as a counselor at a clinic for emotionally troubled patients. 

All the familiar themes and characters make Rabbit Remembered an overall win; only its linear plotline might leave readers feeling like the fifth install is an extended epilogue. Still, it's always a pleasure to read Updike. So, even though it doesn't earn five stars, it will still find a place among my favorite books as part of this greater work.