A review by re_oanslay
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart by Joyce Carol Oates

3.0

I really loved the first part of this book. While learning about Jinx and Iris, their respective families, and how their lives intertwine allowed the prose to shine. However, the latter half of the novel focuses more on Iris, who I found to be the less compelling protagonist when compared to Jinx. It would seem that his life is more dramatically affected by Little Red’s death and, as such, I wish the narrative gave him more attention. The literary side of me would like to hand wave it with the excuse of an example of privilege - we follow the young white woman as she is successful but privately tortured and ignore the young black man who’s sense of guilt destroys his ability to rise above - however, I don’t think that’s the case.