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booksandhappyhabits's review against another edition
Writing style was not for me - stopped after first novella
lvlarly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
devikapha's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
princesschela1978's review against another edition
2.0
My thoughts on each novella:
Cardiff, by the Sea was too long and not much happened, and I still don’t understand the end. The way the great aunts talk drove me crazy, too.
Miao Dao was my favorite of the novellas. I liked the characters of Mia and Miao Dao and I liked the ending of that one, too.
Phantomwise, 1972 was pretty forgettable.
The Surviving Child was just weird and the “explanation” of what happened doesn’t really answer many of my questions.
I also didn’t enjoy the writing style. The author sometimes uses a particular word dozens of times within a story (if I ever read the word wraith again, it will be too soon).
I will at least say that I did like the spooky vibe; a few days before Halloween was definitely the right time to read it.
Cardiff, by the Sea was too long and not much happened, and I still don’t understand the end. The way the great aunts talk drove me crazy, too.
Miao Dao was my favorite of the novellas. I liked the characters of Mia and Miao Dao and I liked the ending of that one, too.
Phantomwise, 1972 was pretty forgettable.
The Surviving Child was just weird and the “explanation” of what happened doesn’t really answer many of my questions.
I also didn’t enjoy the writing style. The author sometimes uses a particular word dozens of times within a story (if I ever read the word wraith again, it will be too soon).
I will at least say that I did like the spooky vibe; a few days before Halloween was definitely the right time to read it.
jilliebeanreads's review against another edition
4.0
“Cardiff, by the Sea” is my very first read by the celebrated contemporary American author Joyce Carol Oates. And it’s the perfect time of year to dig into this collection of four, suspenseful novellas. (Publishers Weekly even calls Oates the “grand mistress of ghoulishness.")
Each story features a teen or young woman at the center who must battle with threats (mostly of the opposite sex). There’s bullying, sexual abuse, exploitation and murder (oh my). And each ending leaves me wanting to talk another reader to determine if I think happened really happened. These psychological thriller essays are perfect book for a book club!
While I read the ebook on my Kindle, I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by the talented voice actress Lauren Ezzo. Based on some research, Ezzo has done a ton of narration for other suspense stories, so she’s perfect for this genre. As usual, I sped up the audio to 2 to 2.5 times the normal speed, and it made the storytelling even more dramatic. Ezzo’s voice is especially awesome in the first novella when she creates the characters of the aunts who live in Cardiff, Maine.
I recommend these spooky stories whether or not you’re an avid reader of Oates or not. She’s an award-winning author for a reason.
Special thanks to the publishing houses RB Media (High Bridge Audio) and Grove Atlantic, via NetGalley, for the electronic copies in exchange for my honest review.
Each story features a teen or young woman at the center who must battle with threats (mostly of the opposite sex). There’s bullying, sexual abuse, exploitation and murder (oh my). And each ending leaves me wanting to talk another reader to determine if I think happened really happened. These psychological thriller essays are perfect book for a book club!
While I read the ebook on my Kindle, I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by the talented voice actress Lauren Ezzo. Based on some research, Ezzo has done a ton of narration for other suspense stories, so she’s perfect for this genre. As usual, I sped up the audio to 2 to 2.5 times the normal speed, and it made the storytelling even more dramatic. Ezzo’s voice is especially awesome in the first novella when she creates the characters of the aunts who live in Cardiff, Maine.
I recommend these spooky stories whether or not you’re an avid reader of Oates or not. She’s an award-winning author for a reason.
Special thanks to the publishing houses RB Media (High Bridge Audio) and Grove Atlantic, via NetGalley, for the electronic copies in exchange for my honest review.
elise_allberry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual harassment, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Blood, Mental illness, Child death, and Miscarriage
pawstoodream's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
shelleyann01's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 Stars
All four novellas are vintage Joyce Carol Oates, classic literary fiction. These stories are perfect for a cold, rainy night or a Halloween read...I highly recommend them...and that cover is so beautiful and haunting. The theme here seems to be that males are predators and the females have had enough...how very timely.
Cardiff, by the Sea: ☆☆☆☆
This is the way a story should be...creepy, suspenseful and entertaining. I love everything about the novella...creepy house, weird relatives, bumps in the night. I could see it in my head happening in every chilling detail. Great story with great writing, excellent plot and characterization. I was completely immersed in this one.
Miao Dao: ☆☆☆☆☆
This story is narrated by 13 year old Mia. Her parents have divorced, her father has moved away and she is developing into a young lady. She is being bullied at school and becomes friends with a bunch of feral cats. Someone complains about the cats and they are removed but for one white kitten, that Mia rescues and takes home. I felt so bad for Mia as her story is so similar to my own. My heart was breaking for her. This story read like poetry and I loved it so much, maybe is it because I felt the connection but the story was so beautiful in it's sadness.
Phan-tomwise, 1972: ☆☆☆☆
I read this story in one sitting. Interesting characters with unusual motivations. I liked the style of writing and storyline and I was completly engaged through the end. Makes you think...does anyone ever really win in situations like these?
The Surviving Child: ☆☆☆☆
Fantastic story, and the characters instantly became alive to me through the author's writing, I felt emotionally connected with all of them, and at times wanted to shout at them, console them, encourage them but always felt part of them. A very dark and thought provoking tale, and a story that I would definitely read again.
Thank you NetGalley, Joyce Carol Oates and Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#CardiffbytheSea #NetGalley
All four novellas are vintage Joyce Carol Oates, classic literary fiction. These stories are perfect for a cold, rainy night or a Halloween read...I highly recommend them...and that cover is so beautiful and haunting. The theme here seems to be that males are predators and the females have had enough...how very timely.
Cardiff, by the Sea: ☆☆☆☆
This is the way a story should be...creepy, suspenseful and entertaining. I love everything about the novella...creepy house, weird relatives, bumps in the night. I could see it in my head happening in every chilling detail. Great story with great writing, excellent plot and characterization. I was completely immersed in this one.
Miao Dao: ☆☆☆☆☆
This story is narrated by 13 year old Mia. Her parents have divorced, her father has moved away and she is developing into a young lady. She is being bullied at school and becomes friends with a bunch of feral cats. Someone complains about the cats and they are removed but for one white kitten, that Mia rescues and takes home. I felt so bad for Mia as her story is so similar to my own. My heart was breaking for her. This story read like poetry and I loved it so much, maybe is it because I felt the connection but the story was so beautiful in it's sadness.
Phan-tomwise, 1972: ☆☆☆☆
I read this story in one sitting. Interesting characters with unusual motivations. I liked the style of writing and storyline and I was completly engaged through the end. Makes you think...does anyone ever really win in situations like these?
The Surviving Child: ☆☆☆☆
Fantastic story, and the characters instantly became alive to me through the author's writing, I felt emotionally connected with all of them, and at times wanted to shout at them, console them, encourage them but always felt part of them. A very dark and thought provoking tale, and a story that I would definitely read again.
Thank you NetGalley, Joyce Carol Oates and Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#CardiffbytheSea #NetGalley
keepreadingbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was my first Joyce Carol Oates, and it was such a nice surprise. A really strong collection. Only the second story, Miao Dao, had me a little bored for the first half, but the second half got much stronger, and the other three stories just had me hooked from the get-go.
The novellas are suspenseful and mysterious but not exactly ‘scary’, so if you’re worried about that, don’t be – they can easily be read by those of us who stay clear of horror and scary books. It’s more psychological than anything, with a bit of a gothic feel too. The writing is unique and almost feels impulsive and even poetic, but not in a contrived or overly complex way – rather in a way that makes brilliant use of pauses and tension. Oates’ narrative style feels fresh and unique too, mixing third-person narration with glimpses of inner thoughts and blurring what the characters imagine and what actually happens, which means you’re never quite sure how much is “fact” (if that word can be used about things happening in fictitious stories). This combination really made me fly right through the stories, almost unable to put them down once I’d started one. Highly recommend it.