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millen13's review against another edition
5.0
Joyce Carol Oates is one of my favourite writers , especially her sprawling thick novels are so good. This one deals with an abortionist doctor who is murdered by a religious fanatic and the aftermath for both families. You witness the daughters of both growing up and trying to give focus and meaning to their lives. Definitely one of her best books.
ida_s's review against another edition
4.0
Impressive detail and scope. The narrative style put me at a bit of a distance from the characters, but it suited the epic scope of the novel.
nurtu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
basicallybacik's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
What a journey. First Joyce Carol Oates ever, and I am looking forward to more of her great prose.
What a journey. First Joyce Carol Oates ever, and I am looking forward to more of her great prose.
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa. This is one hell of a read. I was going to give it 5 stars, but this book was long and could've used some serious editing. The last quarter of the book started to feel like a different novel entirely. But it's a fast read despite its size; I couldn't put it down, and the very last paragraph felt like a long-awaited reckoning.
This book covers so many themes: there's the obvious "pro-choice vs. pro-life" that any reader can get from the book jacket, but it's so much more than that. It's about religious zealotry and poverty and education. It's about idealism and taking personal risks in the interest of the greater good; the two main characters believe so strongly in what the are doing, they put their ideals over the well-being of their families. The book lets the reader see how the choices of the fathers play out in their daughters' lives. It's about family dynamics and what makes a "good mother". I empathized with almost all of the characters, even the ones that I didn't agree with politically. This book will stay with me for a long time.
This book covers so many themes: there's the obvious "pro-choice vs. pro-life" that any reader can get from the book jacket, but it's so much more than that. It's about religious zealotry and poverty and education. It's about idealism and taking personal risks in the interest of the greater good; the two main characters believe so strongly in what the are doing, they put their ideals over the well-being of their families. The book lets the reader see how the choices of the fathers play out in their daughters' lives. It's about family dynamics and what makes a "good mother". I empathized with almost all of the characters, even the ones that I didn't agree with politically. This book will stay with me for a long time.
pickettreads's review against another edition
2.0
WOW that was long. It did make me stop and think about a lot of things. Can you imagine growing up with parents who were part of a radical Christian group and your dad shot someone because he really felt like he was doing the work of God. How does one grow up in an environment with that type of belief system. Imagine being the child of an abortion doctor or a man on death row. So many potentials with this story yet I had a really hard time finishing it. It took me almost a month of these depressing characters. I am glad I am done.
zoes_human's review against another edition
dark
emotional
4.0
Complicated yet still stereotypical in some ways.
The characters are complex, unlikeable, and real. The scenario is not only plausible but has happened. The writing was exemplary. Yet it still bought into stereotypes of the poor and it had some very unrealistic moments. Fetuses were never found in dumpsters. There are rules about the disposal of 'medical waste'. Also, carpenters are not generally poor. It's very skilled labor, and the pay is, while not doctor pay, certainly well above poverty wages. It is, in fact, ~20K over the median income.
Overall it was good, but the author's class biases were evident.
The characters are complex, unlikeable, and real. The scenario is not only plausible but has happened. The writing was exemplary. Yet it still bought into stereotypes of the poor and it had some very unrealistic moments. Fetuses were never found in dumpsters. There are rules about the disposal of 'medical waste'. Also, carpenters are not generally poor. It's very skilled labor, and the pay is, while not doctor pay, certainly well above poverty wages. It is, in fact, ~20K over the median income.
Overall it was good, but the author's class biases were evident.
isheekagoswami's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this. Oates writes so beautifully and treats her characters with such warmth and compassion (though I did feel that her political biases came out). I just wish there had been a bit more - perhaps more of a focus on the children and less on the adults - but all in all, I'd highly recommend this to anyone who has the time and heart to read such a big book!