The character in Updike's "Pigeon Feathers and Other Stories" experiences a profound disillusionment with literature that leads him to lose his desire to read. He is consumed by a fear of being overwhelmed by the dark themes and emotions he finds in various genres. In mystery novels, he sees the grim depiction of death, while science fiction presents vast, crushing forces that show the fragility of human existence.

Even light-hearted works, like those of P.G. Wodehouse, evoke a sense of hollowness for him. He recognizes a bitter detachment in the comedic portrayals of characters like aimless clergymen, which reflects his own turning away from the complexities of reality. This disconnection highlights his struggle with the weight of existence and his inability to find solace or joy in literature that once captivated him.