“The Terrorist,” John Updike’s latest novel, explores the life of a young Arab-American, his cultural struggles and his descent into the world of terrorism. Thematically, it’s a bit down the road from  “Rabbit Run,” Rabbit Is Rich” and “Rabbit at Rest." These and other masterpieces have earned him the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Howells Medal. Updike is also a Fellow of the Academy of Arts and Letters.

On the other hand, Updike has been traveling with us through our changing world, spinning political and religious parables of the human condition over the last 50 years. When NPR radio program host Diane Rehm spoke at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on June 6, she mentioned her recent interview with Updike and suggested reading this book as path to better grasping the context of current events.

On Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m., the Massachusetts resident will discuss his work as part of the Writers on a New England Stage series at The Music Hall. Produced by The Music Hall and New Hampshire Public Radio, in coordination with RiverRun Bookstore, the series illuminates a bit of where we are today, as well.

Tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members and can be purchased at The Music Hall box office (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth), by phone at 603-436-2400, or online at www.themusichall.org.