John Updike(b. 1932)

I Missed His Book, but I Read His Name

"The Silver Pilgrimage, by M. Anantanarayanan . . . 160 pages.

Criterion. $3.95.

Though authors are a dreadful clan

To be avoided if you can,

I'd like to meet the Indian,

I've heard of you. The Times once ran

A notice on your novel, an

Unusual tale of God and Man.

And Anantanarayanan

Would seat me on a lush divan

And read his name—that sumptuous span

Of "as and "ns more lovely than

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan3—

Aloud to me all day. I plan

Henceforth to be an ardent fan

Of Anantanarayanan—

M. Anantanarayanan.

ANNE STEVENSN

b. 1933