A review by elisebrancheau
Mudwoman by Joyce Carol Oates

2.0

I'm not sure I really "got" this one...I understand that the main character, "M.R" is succumbing to the pressures of her job, as well as the pressure she places on herself (something I can relate to), but the story seemed to meander too much at times, and I could have done with less political rambling and administrative details about the University, as well as the heavy philosophical element. I feel like the author was trying to make some sort of statement, or provide some profound insight, but I didn't quite understand what that was. Maybe this passage is supposed to be the "moral of the story": "You don't have to understand why anything that has happened to you has happened nor do you even have to understand what it is that has happened. You only have to live with the remains." But I am not sure. I'm not sure about a lot of the story. The end was also a bit confusing, but I just finished the book this morning and might have to think about it for a while before I (hopefully) understand it. I can see others enjoying this book, but it wasn't really for me.