The second book of this cycle is set ca. 10 years after the first. Rabbit is still a difficult character to follow along on a journey. He is anxious and irrational and seems like he never really grew up... like his mother is stating... it's just too easy to influence Rabbit. But he also has these moments of utter clarity. The book uses a lot of very graphic language. The bigger picture though is what Updike is able to portrait of society at the time. You have the whole hippie movement, anti-war discussion, depression and racism. All of these things are easily incorporated in the story and I think that's where the author really shines.