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bigbookgeek's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow, I have made it this far in life without reading much of Joyce Carol Oats' work! I have read an occasional short story in collections, but that's it. This was such a good collection of shorts that I will now definitely seek out more of her work. Chilling, creepy, and very real, she really knows how to keep readers on the edge of our seats!
georgiaand's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
magicofthepages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
freyaa_p's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
another_dahlia's review against another edition
dark
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Medical content, Torture, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
ljjohnson8's review against another edition
3.0
There's something about Oates' writing style that just mesmerizes me. When I read her, I walk aroung my real life with her book playing in my head. But that feeling, while wonderful, is what caused my problem with this book - it doesn't translate well to short stories. They were never long enough for me to fully be carried away...
That said, this was great. The stories were creepy and unsettling in a way that only Oates can manage. I couldn't put it down and it only doesn't rate a much higher rating from me because of the above and the fact that I've never been a short story person.
That said, this was great. The stories were creepy and unsettling in a way that only Oates can manage. I couldn't put it down and it only doesn't rate a much higher rating from me because of the above and the fact that I've never been a short story person.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
The title piece had me alternately tearful and holding my breath. As usual Oates gift for the macabre and making the everyday and not so every day uncomfortable was beyond satisfying in this collection of short stories. I have yet to be let down by her austere and honest way of looking at humanity. Well worth the read.
abiveeke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5