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tcannon's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
acton's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I read Joyce Carol Oates, I don't understand why I don't do it all the time. This novel was first published in 1967, which JCO later revised. This is the 2002 edition. That is another fascinating thing about Oates, as an author: that she has rethought and revised some of her work.
The title comes from a Hieronymus Bosch painting, which has been interpreted to represent the idea of paradise lost. Indeed, this historical novel, which starts during the depression, illustrates much that is tragic about society.
Clara Walpole is the central character, but her life is defined by the men in her life, who are drawn vividly. Her life starts as the daughter of a migrant worker, which means she worked from an early age and did not get an education. When she runs away and accepts help from a man she believes she is in love with (at about age fourteen), her life is defined by his visits. Eventually, she is married to a rich man, which defines her socially. In the end, it will be her son who will change her life.
I've now completed The Wonderland Quartet, though I read the others ages ago. Each one is excellent.
The title comes from a Hieronymus Bosch painting, which has been interpreted to represent the idea of paradise lost. Indeed, this historical novel, which starts during the depression, illustrates much that is tragic about society.
Clara Walpole is the central character, but her life is defined by the men in her life, who are drawn vividly. Her life starts as the daughter of a migrant worker, which means she worked from an early age and did not get an education. When she runs away and accepts help from a man she believes she is in love with (at about age fourteen), her life is defined by his visits. Eventually, she is married to a rich man, which defines her socially. In the end, it will be her son who will change her life.
I've now completed The Wonderland Quartet, though I read the others ages ago. Each one is excellent.
hayley_s's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lfordham9's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
rociog's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is my favourite novel I've read this year, especially the first half. Oates' prose is remarkable in painting an expansive yet particular picture of mid-century rural America. She brings the Walpoles to life with astonishing force and clarity.
The novel ostentively centers around Clara Walpole in particular, as each section is named after pivotal men in her life: Carleton, her father, Lowry, her rescuer and would-be lover, and Swan, her son. I liked Carleton's chapters in particular: an unflinching look at the life of a family of migrant farm workers, traveling from place to place, during the worst of the Great Depression. Oates refuses to romanticize life at the lowest rung of society,where people live on the edge of violence and where clinging to humanity seems almost an impossible task.
As Clara claws her way into "better lives" the tone and scope of the novel change in fascinating ways. Depressingly enough, there seems to be no "better way", as each of the Walpoles-Carleton, Clara, Swan- seem as bereft of choice, as imprisoned by circumstance, as motivated by violent desperation, despite the marked change of their material circumstances.
The novel ostentively centers around Clara Walpole in particular, as each section is named after pivotal men in her life: Carleton, her father, Lowry, her rescuer and would-be lover, and Swan, her son. I liked Carleton's chapters in particular: an unflinching look at the life of a family of migrant farm workers, traveling from place to place, during the worst of the Great Depression. Oates refuses to romanticize life at the lowest rung of society,where people live on the edge of violence and where clinging to humanity seems almost an impossible task.
As Clara claws her way into "better lives" the tone and scope of the novel change in fascinating ways. Depressingly enough, there seems to be no "better way", as each of the Walpoles-Carleton, Clara, Swan- seem as bereft of choice, as imprisoned by circumstance, as motivated by violent desperation, despite the marked change of their material circumstances.
anfribogart's review against another edition
5.0
Questo è il secondo romanzo di J.C.Oates e, come lei stessa afferma nella postfazione di questa riedizione, è un romanzo pieno della vitalità, dell'energia e delle idee di una scrittrice agli esordi.
La storia è quella dell'ascesa sociale di Clara, figlia di braccianti nomadi, ambiziosa e spregiudicata, arriverà dove non poteva nemmeno immaginare. Ma contro le legittime ambizioni di Clara si schierano l'ostracismo sociale e un ancora più oscuro destino avverso, che la dicono lunga sul cosiddetto sogno americano.
La storia è quella dell'ascesa sociale di Clara, figlia di braccianti nomadi, ambiziosa e spregiudicata, arriverà dove non poteva nemmeno immaginare. Ma contro le legittime ambizioni di Clara si schierano l'ostracismo sociale e un ancora più oscuro destino avverso, che la dicono lunga sul cosiddetto sogno americano.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
A Garden of Earthly Delights by Joyce Carol Oates is a 2009 Random House publication.
At some point in time, I acquired a paperback copy of ‘Expensive People’ the second book in the ‘Wonderland Quartet’. It has been sitting on my shelves for several years, but recently I have been craving something different, so I took this book down, planning to read it immediately, only to discover it was part of a quartet of books, and although no one has said it was absolutely necessary to read the books in order, to be on the safe side, I went in search of ‘A Garden of Earthly Delights’, and was relieved to discover my library had a copy.
For those unfamiliar with this critically acclaimed novel, it was originally published in 1966/67, and the author was only in her mid-twenties, at that time! Joyce Carol Oates, is a prolific writer, but her novels can take a little getting used to. Over time, I have come to enjoy her novels more than when I was younger, since I'm not a huge fan of heavy literature. But, JCO has some books that have a Gothic tones to them, which is what drew me to her work in the first place, but this author is also known to have a wicked sense of humor, too.
This book, however, may not be for everyone, and the younger audiences may find the characters and their backgrounds too harsh and may have a hard time relating, or coping with the author’s prose.
But, for me, I have found this author’s style of writing to be incredibly absorbing, if not shocking on occasion. The era of time and the situations described here are probably more accurate than people wish to think, or believe, especially in a time when people prefer a total rewrite of history, avoiding anything difficult, offensive, or distasteful.
The work camps during the depression were beyond harsh, the work hard, with families living in incomprehensible conditions. From such an environment, Clara was born and raised. Her father was a rough,drinking man, but he always showed Clara a certain favoritism. However, he turns on her one fateful day and hits her, causing her to run away.
It’s during this second and third part of the book that the characterizations really took shape and the story took hold of me. I can’t say I loved how it all ended up, and it is my understanding this book has undergone a major rewrite, so I can only give you my opinion of the updated version.
Clara’s character grows in leaps and bounds, takes on many different forms and it was utterly fascinating to watch the transformation, although she still remained an enigma. Oates gives up a bird’s eye view of life, its hardships, triumphs, and tragedies. We see Clara develop from childhood, to young adult, to parenthood, to a woman totally exhausted by life. But, I did feel that she paved a way for herself, she made a life that was better than her stark beginnings could have predicted, became a strong woman, despite errors in judgment and the uncontrollable events life throws in her path.
This book is surely considered a literary classic, and although, it’s not exactly an uplifting, feel good story, and really is pretty heavy reading, I am glad I took the time to read it.
4 stars
At some point in time, I acquired a paperback copy of ‘Expensive People’ the second book in the ‘Wonderland Quartet’. It has been sitting on my shelves for several years, but recently I have been craving something different, so I took this book down, planning to read it immediately, only to discover it was part of a quartet of books, and although no one has said it was absolutely necessary to read the books in order, to be on the safe side, I went in search of ‘A Garden of Earthly Delights’, and was relieved to discover my library had a copy.
For those unfamiliar with this critically acclaimed novel, it was originally published in 1966/67, and the author was only in her mid-twenties, at that time! Joyce Carol Oates, is a prolific writer, but her novels can take a little getting used to. Over time, I have come to enjoy her novels more than when I was younger, since I'm not a huge fan of heavy literature. But, JCO has some books that have a Gothic tones to them, which is what drew me to her work in the first place, but this author is also known to have a wicked sense of humor, too.
This book, however, may not be for everyone, and the younger audiences may find the characters and their backgrounds too harsh and may have a hard time relating, or coping with the author’s prose.
But, for me, I have found this author’s style of writing to be incredibly absorbing, if not shocking on occasion. The era of time and the situations described here are probably more accurate than people wish to think, or believe, especially in a time when people prefer a total rewrite of history, avoiding anything difficult, offensive, or distasteful.
The work camps during the depression were beyond harsh, the work hard, with families living in incomprehensible conditions. From such an environment, Clara was born and raised. Her father was a rough,drinking man, but he always showed Clara a certain favoritism. However, he turns on her one fateful day and hits her, causing her to run away.
It’s during this second and third part of the book that the characterizations really took shape and the story took hold of me. I can’t say I loved how it all ended up, and it is my understanding this book has undergone a major rewrite, so I can only give you my opinion of the updated version.
Clara’s character grows in leaps and bounds, takes on many different forms and it was utterly fascinating to watch the transformation, although she still remained an enigma. Oates gives up a bird’s eye view of life, its hardships, triumphs, and tragedies. We see Clara develop from childhood, to young adult, to parenthood, to a woman totally exhausted by life. But, I did feel that she paved a way for herself, she made a life that was better than her stark beginnings could have predicted, became a strong woman, despite errors in judgment and the uncontrollable events life throws in her path.
This book is surely considered a literary classic, and although, it’s not exactly an uplifting, feel good story, and really is pretty heavy reading, I am glad I took the time to read it.
4 stars
ericka_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite book in the Wonderland series. What I enjoyed about this book and all of Oates' books is the character development. They are always perfect, she can provide you with a strong connection to them without giving away too much. The first part of the novel made me think of The Grapes of Wrath, but not just because of the similar circumstances. This is one of my all time favorite books, I loved it!
mark_bear's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25