Reviews

Babysitter by Joyce Carol Oates

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felkyo_grey's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bethchatsbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

I think this wasn’t the right book at the right time for me. I absolutely love the true crime element of The Babysitter case and I would have liked more on that. I found Hannah was a frustrating and naive character to follow but I think that was the point. I hated the perspective of the ponytail etc characters and completely skipped those chapters. I also found Hannah and her fascination/ affair with this Y.K character confusing and i lacked interest in the development of that plot point. I really respect JCO as an author and want to read all her back list. Maybe this novel needed me to read it much slower and reflect upon it more. Or maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I think I will return to this book in physical form one day and find out.

chloew94's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

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2.0

This one was rough. Not even remotely as interesting as the inner flap would suggest. Was this a book about a serial killer? A wife having an affair with a blackmailer? A young thug falling in love with a suburban housewife? A dysfunctional marriage? An abusive clergyman? All of the above? Or none of the above? Fever dream or flashbacks after death? Who knows. I should’ve known upon seeing that the novel was pieced together from shorter works published 20 years ago in mystery magazines that it would be too sketchy to be good. What would’ve been called a fix up novel back in the day, or a mosaic novel in the present. Very close to being my first 1-star read of the new year.

harrietthacker85's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

bookscatsbooks's review against another edition

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[SPOILERS]The writing style does not jive with me. It appears to start with a death and implies a Groundhog Day-esque repeat but not at the same time. I’m going to try another of her books to see if it’s just how she is or if this one was poorly written.