A review by silodear
A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates

3.0

I was so drawn in by the first half of this novel. JCO writes with raw, palpable grief about the unexpected death of her husband. I couldn't help but draw parallels between this book and Joan Didion's My Year of Magical Thinking, though Didion's novel was better suited for me. I decided to stop reading about 3/4 through because I felt too weighed down by the pain and redundancy of this story. I know that this pain and redundancy is likely very real for JCO and reflective of what it feels like to be a new widow, but I've had enough. There are also several moments of overt racism in this book, and an odd moment of trans/homophobia. Plus, JCOs unexamined privilege is nauseating at times. Still, this is an often beautifully written and heart rending book about the pain of losing someone you love. Despite its flaws, there remains something to be gained from this book - particularly for those who love someone who is grieving as JCO has woven into her story some good advice about how to care for a grieving loved one.