Scan barcode
A review by willowscarlet
Cardiff, by the Sea: Four Novellas of Suspense by Joyce Carol Oates
3.0
Okay, over all I liked this collection of novellas. The writing was unique yet easy to read. I like the unhinged, odd ending that Joyce Carol Oates executes. But let me take the Novellas individually for review.
Cardiff by the sea - The first novella - 3.5 stars
I was captivated by this novella. I quite enjoyed it! It was paced well and around page 70 it really got good. The ending was, not my favorite. It was a confusing ending to me. But it’s the type of ending to a thriller I don’t particularly love.
Miao Dao - the second novella - 4 stars
This may be my favorite Novell out of the four. I don’t know why but this one especially captivated me and the end was very interesting. I liked the way it kind of pointed out some issues young girls often go through in life. And the ending put a sinister twist on the story that I think really flowed well with the story.
Phantomwise:1972- the third novella - 3.5 stars
I liked this novella a lot. It was intriguing. I liked the characters in this one more than the others. I liked the ending. This novella I think had the most interesting story line, but I didn’t like it more than Miao Dao
The surviving child - the fourth novella - 2.5 stars
I’m not sure why, but this novella was my least favorite. I think it was lacking something, but I’m not sure what. Like the ending. But I was not super interested throughout the story. The end intrigued me but the first 80% of the story was somewhat boring to me. I still liked it but I didn’t love it. This novella was forgettable to me.
Cardiff by the sea - The first novella - 3.5 stars
I was captivated by this novella. I quite enjoyed it! It was paced well and around page 70 it really got good. The ending was, not my favorite. It was a confusing ending to me. But it’s the type of ending to a thriller I don’t particularly love.
Miao Dao - the second novella - 4 stars
This may be my favorite Novell out of the four. I don’t know why but this one especially captivated me and the end was very interesting. I liked the way it kind of pointed out some issues young girls often go through in life. And the ending put a sinister twist on the story that I think really flowed well with the story.
Phantomwise:1972- the third novella - 3.5 stars
I liked this novella a lot. It was intriguing. I liked the characters in this one more than the others. I liked the ending. This novella I think had the most interesting story line, but I didn’t like it more than Miao Dao
The surviving child - the fourth novella - 2.5 stars
I’m not sure why, but this novella was my least favorite. I think it was lacking something, but I’m not sure what. Like the ending. But I was not super interested throughout the story. The end intrigued me but the first 80% of the story was somewhat boring to me. I still liked it but I didn’t love it. This novella was forgettable to me.