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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
I definitely liked this book less the more I read it. Ultimately, the characters just weren't interesting enough. After a solid start, finishing this one was a chore.
Oates is a master storyteller, that I knew already knew. But this novel is a masterpiece. She delicately crafts characterisations of upper-class Americans.
They are all obsessed with their late friend, whose main characteristic isn't his aura odf mystery - which is one of the key elements - but his ability to listen to people and make them feel seen (despite only having one eye). And when he is gone, they are all lost, and their empty lives fall to pieces.
Most of them somewhat manage to rebuild, but even then, they haven't really changed, and some of them seem to reproduce their mistakes, only slightly differently.
My personnal favourite element is how their casual racism is used to show how out-of-touch with reality they all are.
A wonderful read.
They are all obsessed with their late friend, whose main characteristic isn't his aura odf mystery - which is one of the key elements - but his ability to listen to people and make them feel seen (despite only having one eye). And when he is gone, they are all lost, and their empty lives fall to pieces.
Most of them somewhat manage to rebuild, but even then, they haven't really changed, and some of them seem to reproduce their mistakes, only slightly differently.
My personnal favourite element is how their casual racism is used to show how out-of-touch with reality they all are.
A wonderful read.
I could not get into this book at all... I couldn't care about the vapid, cloudy characters, I couldn't get into the plot (or significant lack thereof), and I gave it a really good try - I got 320 pages into this 500 page book, and finally said forget it, I can't stand this any more.
The Impact of a Death
Sociologist Eric Erickson speaks of a stage of generativity, wanting to leave something behind for those who would mourn us. Until this book, I conceived of that as either something finished -- a piece of art ,perhaps, or a poem, or even a business or an invention. JCO, however, takes us on a journey through the lives of several people who continue to grow and change and discover because their friend has died. It's a fascinating construct done in her usual indomitable manner.
Sociologist Eric Erickson speaks of a stage of generativity, wanting to leave something behind for those who would mourn us. Until this book, I conceived of that as either something finished -- a piece of art ,perhaps, or a poem, or even a business or an invention. JCO, however, takes us on a journey through the lives of several people who continue to grow and change and discover because their friend has died. It's a fascinating construct done in her usual indomitable manner.
Wavering between a five-star read and four stars. Five for the ultimately redemptive close of the book, with ends tied up and possibilities opened up like windows, to admit fresh air. Five for the intricately woven plot, embedding a mystery which serves as a touchstone for multiple story threads: you can re-invent yourself, in some pretty surprising ways. Five for character growth--lots of originally annoying characters show some amazing but believable transformations. There's some dark humor (although this is not a "comic romp" as the cover suggests).
But--Joyce Carol Oates (as always) lacks a serious editor. The prose is repetitive. The similes and metaphors range from brilliant to confusing to repulsive, including a point where a central character's penis is referred to as a "thalidomide arm." Oates tries to shock us, paint pictures for us, instruct and inspire us--and succeeds only sometimes. It takes awhile for the plot to kick in, to hook us on the story. Until then, it just feels overwritten.
But--Joyce Carol Oates (as always) lacks a serious editor. The prose is repetitive. The similes and metaphors range from brilliant to confusing to repulsive, including a point where a central character's penis is referred to as a "thalidomide arm." Oates tries to shock us, paint pictures for us, instruct and inspire us--and succeeds only sometimes. It takes awhile for the plot to kick in, to hook us on the story. Until then, it just feels overwritten.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.7 stars rounded up. This was a weird read for me in that sense that I didn't particular enjoyed the storyline but the writing was somehow compelling to keep reading and I didn't completely hate it. By someone else's writing skills might not have enjoyed my reading experience but Joyce Carol Oates pulled it off
This was my first...and probably last...Joyce Carol Oates book. I had heard mixed reviews about her and wasn't too interested, but this book sounded good. Overall, I was quite disappointed, and I found some of her word choices and comma usage distracting. Did this book not have an editor?
As a fan of Joyce Carol Oates, I was surprised how much work it was to finish this book. The prose lumbered along and the plot meandered. What happened?!?
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes