Trust Me (1987) by John Updike is a collection of 22 short stories that showcase the author’s signature wit, keen observation, and lyrical prose. The stories explore themes of love, infidelity, mortality, and the quiet tensions of middle-class American life. Updike’s characters—often flawed, introspective, and deeply human—navigate moments of crisis or revelation, from a man reflecting on his failed marriage during a train ride (“The Other”) to a boy’s unsettling encounter with a predatory neighbor (“The Lovely Troubled Daughters of Our Old Crowd”).
While not as celebrated as his Rabbit novels, Trust Me exemplifies Updike’s mastery of the short form, blending irony with empathy.
A gem for admirers of nuanced, character-driven fiction.
