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With Shuddering Fall
The first novel from New York Times-bestselling author Joyce Carol Oates, a thrilling, dark tale of family, revenge, and two souls intertwined by love and violence—now back in print for fans of America’s most prolific storyteller.
Written when Joyce Carol Oates was in her early twenties, and first published in 1964, With Shuddering Fall is her powerful debut novel, the first of five new Oates reprints from Ecco.
Following the turbulent story of two lovers who discover themselves mortal enemies, the author explores the struggle for dominance in erotic relationships that has become a predominant theme in her work, as well as the perils of patriarchal inheritance, and the ripple-effects of emotional loss in adolescence. The result is an unsentimental yet sympathetic rendering of a disastrous love affair in which hatred is nearly as powerful as love, and a yearning for destruction is an abiding and insatiable passion.
Discover what prompted the New York Times to compare this young writer’s debut to Shirley Jackson’s famous short story, “The Lottery.” Readers looking for a place to start in Joyce Carol Oates’s vast catalogue will be intrigued by the sheer narrative force of the young author, and her willingness to anatomize the darkest recesses of humanity in a search for redemption and resolution.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1964
138 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Carol Oates
853 books9,614 followersJoyce Carol Oates is an American writer. Oates published her first book in 1963, and has since published 58 novels, a number of plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Her novels Black Water (1992), What I Lived For (1994), and Blonde (2000), and her short story collections The Wheel of Love (1970) and Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories (2014) were each finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. She has won many awards for her writing, including the National Book Award, for her novel Them (1969), two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019).
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 1, 2019
Genre: Literary Gothic
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Pub. Year: 1964
It was such a joy to find Joyce Carol Oates’ debut novel, “With Shuddering Fall.” She is an all-time favorite author of mine. Written in 1964, when the author was in her mid-twenties, the novel does not disappoint. In a previous review of “Night-Gaunts,” 2018, I wrote that a recurring theme in her work is the abuse of women, as portrayed in “Do With Me What You Will,” 1973, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” 2002, “The Gravedigger's Daughter,” 2007, “Blonde: A Novel, 2009,” “The Sacrifice”, 2016. I have read them all. They are flawless. (I admit that when I read her memoir, “A Widow’s Story,” 2011, I was surprised to see how very ordinary her own marriage was). So I wasn’t overly surprised to read that she began her career on a theme that we have come to associate with this author— a dark tale of two lovers entwined in sexual chaos
On Oct. 25, 1964, the NY Times reviewed “Shuddering” and wrote of the female protagonist, “Karen Herz at 17 is fragilely beautiful, and, as she herself recognizes, a little “queer in the head.” Her impulses are ungovernable; her whims must be carried to the limit.” Her being queer in the head actually reads as if she may be autistic. I did wonder if Karen embraces a twisted love affair because those with childhood neurodevelopment disorders often struggle with processing social cues. I have no idea if that is how Oates meant for her character to present, but that is my take on Karen. Her born-angry 30-year-old racecar driving lover is Shar. He appears to have a death wish. There is little doubt that his violent occupation symbolizes their relationship. Karen marries Shar and things go from bad to worse. Remember the Billie Holiday song, “My Man?” “My life is just despair, but I don't care, He beats me, too, what can I do?” Well, that can be Karen singing about her man Shar. But then again, Shar’s feelings about Karen are just as bizarre. He literally cannot live with her (he never was a one-woman kind of guy) or without her (he stays since he is obsessed that he cannot bring her to sexual orgasm). There is a constant struggle of brutality and indifference between them.
Although the story may revolve around sex, her prose is never porn-like. The Times reviewer also wrote, “This material is not as garish as it sounds because of the clarity, grace, and intelligence of the writing.” For Oates to pull this off at such a tender age is nothing short of amazing. However, this does not mean “Shuddering” is flawless. The story can wander off at certain times with unneeded subplots, which detract from the real tale. She was still in the process of learning her craft.
So why does Oates’ unwavering theme on the abuse of women keep working for her? I believe it is her willingness to unabashedly dive into the darkest cavity of the human psyche. And let’s face it—such tales are fascinating to read. She always seems to ask the question ‘Just what is insanity?’ Aren’t we all just a little scared to find bits of ourselves in her unstable characters? You might cringe, but Oates has a unique voice and is one hell of a storyteller.
Find all my book reviews at:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Leave Me Alone I am Reading & Reviewing: https://books6259.wordpress.com/
Twitter: Martie’s Book Reviews: https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Pub. Year: 1964
It was such a joy to find Joyce Carol Oates’ debut novel, “With Shuddering Fall.” She is an all-time favorite author of mine. Written in 1964, when the author was in her mid-twenties, the novel does not disappoint. In a previous review of “Night-Gaunts,” 2018, I wrote that a recurring theme in her work is the abuse of women, as portrayed in “Do With Me What You Will,” 1973, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” 2002, “The Gravedigger's Daughter,” 2007, “Blonde: A Novel, 2009,” “The Sacrifice”, 2016. I have read them all. They are flawless. (I admit that when I read her memoir, “A Widow’s Story,” 2011, I was surprised to see how very ordinary her own marriage was). So I wasn’t overly surprised to read that she began her career on a theme that we have come to associate with this author— a dark tale of two lovers entwined in sexual chaos
On Oct. 25, 1964, the NY Times reviewed “Shuddering” and wrote of the female protagonist, “Karen Herz at 17 is fragilely beautiful, and, as she herself recognizes, a little “queer in the head.” Her impulses are ungovernable; her whims must be carried to the limit.” Her being queer in the head actually reads as if she may be autistic. I did wonder if Karen embraces a twisted love affair because those with childhood neurodevelopment disorders often struggle with processing social cues. I have no idea if that is how Oates meant for her character to present, but that is my take on Karen. Her born-angry 30-year-old racecar driving lover is Shar. He appears to have a death wish. There is little doubt that his violent occupation symbolizes their relationship. Karen marries Shar and things go from bad to worse. Remember the Billie Holiday song, “My Man?” “My life is just despair, but I don't care, He beats me, too, what can I do?” Well, that can be Karen singing about her man Shar. But then again, Shar’s feelings about Karen are just as bizarre. He literally cannot live with her (he never was a one-woman kind of guy) or without her (he stays since he is obsessed that he cannot bring her to sexual orgasm). There is a constant struggle of brutality and indifference between them.
Although the story may revolve around sex, her prose is never porn-like. The Times reviewer also wrote, “This material is not as garish as it sounds because of the clarity, grace, and intelligence of the writing.” For Oates to pull this off at such a tender age is nothing short of amazing. However, this does not mean “Shuddering” is flawless. The story can wander off at certain times with unneeded subplots, which detract from the real tale. She was still in the process of learning her craft.
So why does Oates’ unwavering theme on the abuse of women keep working for her? I believe it is her willingness to unabashedly dive into the darkest cavity of the human psyche. And let’s face it—such tales are fascinating to read. She always seems to ask the question ‘Just what is insanity?’ Aren’t we all just a little scared to find bits of ourselves in her unstable characters? You might cringe, but Oates has a unique voice and is one hell of a storyteller.
Find all my book reviews at:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Leave Me Alone I am Reading & Reviewing: https://books6259.wordpress.com/
Twitter: Martie’s Book Reviews: https://twitter.com/NeesRecord
August 30, 2018
JCO’s first novel. I can see that she’s creating her unique voice but at times it was hard to follow. It was a good story but not an excellent one. I always find it interesting to read an authors early works. It was almost there but not quite.
September 22, 2019
This the first novel by Joyce Carol Oates. I read it once before in 1992 and judging from what I said about the book in my reading log, I had little idea what it was about except that the characters were like no one I had yet met in books or in life.
Rereading it 27 years later I could hardly believe it was a debut novel. I do know from having read Invisible Writer, a biography of JCO by Greg Johnson, that she wrote several novels and then threw them away before even seeking publication. I also learned that she was raised in a small rural town similar to the one in this novel.
She therefore did not just make up a dark story wherein an innocent 17 year old girl gets mixed up with the violent son of the crazy hermit who was a neighbor and old friend of her father. She saw lives like these around her as a child.
I don't agree with the synopsis/summary on the Goodreads page but to tell you why would be to reveal too much about the plot. The girl Karen does enter into a compulsive affair with Shar, a race car driver, but her reason for doing so is buried in the first section of the story. Revenge is the main theme formed from a violent act against her father which was beyond Karen's experience of life so far.
Her unwavering commitment, her lack of concern for herself, her icy control, are portrayed in scenes as chilling as anything I have read by Shirley Jackson or Carson McCullers or Flannery O'Connor.
I am pleased that I took the time to reread With Shuddering Fall. I have been reading Joyce Carol Oates for many years, but sporadically and in no particular order. I hope to read all the novels in order, a large project because she is so prolific. She has devoted fans as well as readers who dislike her books with equal passion. I am one of the former. How about you?
Rereading it 27 years later I could hardly believe it was a debut novel. I do know from having read Invisible Writer, a biography of JCO by Greg Johnson, that she wrote several novels and then threw them away before even seeking publication. I also learned that she was raised in a small rural town similar to the one in this novel.
She therefore did not just make up a dark story wherein an innocent 17 year old girl gets mixed up with the violent son of the crazy hermit who was a neighbor and old friend of her father. She saw lives like these around her as a child.
I don't agree with the synopsis/summary on the Goodreads page but to tell you why would be to reveal too much about the plot. The girl Karen does enter into a compulsive affair with Shar, a race car driver, but her reason for doing so is buried in the first section of the story. Revenge is the main theme formed from a violent act against her father which was beyond Karen's experience of life so far.
Her unwavering commitment, her lack of concern for herself, her icy control, are portrayed in scenes as chilling as anything I have read by Shirley Jackson or Carson McCullers or Flannery O'Connor.
I am pleased that I took the time to reread With Shuddering Fall. I have been reading Joyce Carol Oates for many years, but sporadically and in no particular order. I hope to read all the novels in order, a large project because she is so prolific. She has devoted fans as well as readers who dislike her books with equal passion. I am one of the former. How about you?
November 6, 2011
With Shuddering Fall is out of print, and it must be hard to get. No Amazon reviews, no Library Thing reviews, and none on Goodreads to speak of. Almost makes me sorry I don't have more to say about it.
It's Oates' first novel, and I think it shows. That said, it's got the twisted domesticity and gothic suspense that she masters later. It's a brilliant start.
It's just all tied up in auto racing.
It's an odd combo --one that loses me in the middle. I get the race car as a symbol of violence, danger, etc. It's just a milieu I can't quite wrap my head around.
It's Oates' first novel, and I think it shows. That said, it's got the twisted domesticity and gothic suspense that she masters later. It's a brilliant start.
It's just all tied up in auto racing.
It's an odd combo --one that loses me in the middle. I get the race car as a symbol of violence, danger, etc. It's just a milieu I can't quite wrap my head around.
December 31, 2018
So boring. It was all about an absolutely pointless toxic love affair in which the characters behave like headless chickens. The writing is beautiful though.
November 1, 2021
This was Oates' first novel, published when she was 26 (interestingly, John Updike, Philip Roth, and John Irving all published their first books at the age of 26). The story takes place within the scope of about nine months; the sections are titled "Spring", "Summer", and "Fall". I still don't know what the book's title means; apparently I missed something.
The story is about a teenage girl and a man in his twenties, who carry on a relationship that is equal parts love and hate, and is pursued with fierceness on the part of both, in both aspects. The story contains elements that will become common in Oates' work: violence, dysfunctional families, troubled romantic relationships, tortured psychological pathologies, inexplicable or random acts, and darkness.
I was a little amazed at the maturity of Oates writing at such a relatively young age. How a 26-year-old could have acquired such a large vocabulary, an ability to describe scenes and settings at great length and skill, and demonstrate a knowledge of deeply troubled people and troubling situations is a marvel. Other than that, however, this novel failed to capture my interest. Long before the end I ceased to care about the protagonists; there was nothing in either one of them to draw out my sympathy.
This was the ninth of Oates' novels I have read. I think it will be a while before I attempt another one.
The story is about a teenage girl and a man in his twenties, who carry on a relationship that is equal parts love and hate, and is pursued with fierceness on the part of both, in both aspects. The story contains elements that will become common in Oates' work: violence, dysfunctional families, troubled romantic relationships, tortured psychological pathologies, inexplicable or random acts, and darkness.
I was a little amazed at the maturity of Oates writing at such a relatively young age. How a 26-year-old could have acquired such a large vocabulary, an ability to describe scenes and settings at great length and skill, and demonstrate a knowledge of deeply troubled people and troubling situations is a marvel. Other than that, however, this novel failed to capture my interest. Long before the end I ceased to care about the protagonists; there was nothing in either one of them to draw out my sympathy.
This was the ninth of Oates' novels I have read. I think it will be a while before I attempt another one.
November 20, 2019
A rather strong, solid debut novel—from my favorite writer no less!
I didn’t expect to like With Shuddering Fall as much as I did—it’s no secret I’ve struggled with some of JCO’s older works—but it grabbed from the jump, never letting up. Many themes that Oates has come back to in her long career pop up here: namely, difficult relationships with parents/siblings, and the mental/sexual abuse of young girls.
Oates manages to ratchet up a sense of impending doom throughout, and it mostly pays off. At times the narrative wanders around, especially in part two. I just couldn’t get into some of the boxcar racing stuff, and it doesn’t add much to the overall plot. But pacing and padding issues are to be expected from any author’s debut.
I quite liked this read and I’m sure I’ll come back to it in the years ahead.
I didn’t expect to like With Shuddering Fall as much as I did—it’s no secret I’ve struggled with some of JCO’s older works—but it grabbed from the jump, never letting up. Many themes that Oates has come back to in her long career pop up here: namely, difficult relationships with parents/siblings, and the mental/sexual abuse of young girls.
Oates manages to ratchet up a sense of impending doom throughout, and it mostly pays off. At times the narrative wanders around, especially in part two. I just couldn’t get into some of the boxcar racing stuff, and it doesn’t add much to the overall plot. But pacing and padding issues are to be expected from any author’s debut.
I quite liked this read and I’m sure I’ll come back to it in the years ahead.
Read
April 8, 2023This is Joyce Carol Oates’s first novel, recently re-released with a new cover and new audiobook. I recently read and reviewed her other early novel “them” and found it more or less ok but mired by some issues regarding pacing, tone, and plotting. And the same is true here.
Let me start by explaining why I keep reading Joyce Carol Oates. I am chasing a dragon. I LOVE her short story “Where are you Going? Where have you Been?” I think it’s virtuosic and weird and dark and sinister and wonderful. And then when I read other of her early novels I am hoping for the same blend. But then what I get instead is a kind B-movie plotline with a similar kind of tone. It’s falsely overserious and hooks two very different set of events onto one another in a single novel and I am not sure it works that well. The characters are fairly well-rendered, but the plot is goofy and not good. It reads like Faulkner wrote Rebel Without a Cause, but it doesn’t have the Southern gothic genius or the geographical spaces that cultivate that weirdness. And so it feels played at. It reminds me a lot of a movie no one really saw “The Place Beyond the Pines” and like that movie it fails because it borrows heavily from Southern gothic, takes places in the North, and assumes the same kind of magic can happen. And it turns out it just can’t, really.
Let me start by explaining why I keep reading Joyce Carol Oates. I am chasing a dragon. I LOVE her short story “Where are you Going? Where have you Been?” I think it’s virtuosic and weird and dark and sinister and wonderful. And then when I read other of her early novels I am hoping for the same blend. But then what I get instead is a kind B-movie plotline with a similar kind of tone. It’s falsely overserious and hooks two very different set of events onto one another in a single novel and I am not sure it works that well. The characters are fairly well-rendered, but the plot is goofy and not good. It reads like Faulkner wrote Rebel Without a Cause, but it doesn’t have the Southern gothic genius or the geographical spaces that cultivate that weirdness. And so it feels played at. It reminds me a lot of a movie no one really saw “The Place Beyond the Pines” and like that movie it fails because it borrows heavily from Southern gothic, takes places in the North, and assumes the same kind of magic can happen. And it turns out it just can’t, really.
Read
September 27, 2022"It is insane to look for meaning in life, and it is insane not to."
This is very clearly a first novel. But, it's JCO's first novel, so the writing is exquisite. While I didn't love it, I appreciated the storytelling, because I could see glimmers of what was to come. All the themes that she explores in her later work — they are all tucked away very neatly in this story.
This is very clearly a first novel. But, it's JCO's first novel, so the writing is exquisite. While I didn't love it, I appreciated the storytelling, because I could see glimmers of what was to come. All the themes that she explores in her later work — they are all tucked away very neatly in this story.
July 26, 2019
Interesting experience to read JCO's first novel but it's certainly not one of my favorites by her.
May 1, 2024
Awesome
Binge read it in one day. Unusual plot. Extremely unusual heroine. I've read many of Oates' novels. This is one of the best.
Binge read it in one day. Unusual plot. Extremely unusual heroine. I've read many of Oates' novels. This is one of the best.
October 9, 2018
I made it through a little more than half of With Shuddering Fall, then just couldn't go any further. This is a novel of mood, not of story or character. Sure, there are characters and I guess you could make an argument that there is also a story, but neither is well developed, both being neglected to build a mood, a dull, dry mood. I feel that there is something going on here and that Oates has something important to say, but I don't get it.
September 5, 2014
I finished this at a coffee shop and I seriously wanted to turn to the unsuspecting girl next to me and ask "what the hell did I just read?" This book is crazy. It centers around a love affair between a backwoods hill person and a race car driving potential murderer. There are race riots, a freak show, a trip to a mental institution and so much more. I flew through the first third of this, but it actually lost my interest as Karen got crazier and crazier in the brains. I can't believe this was Joyce's first novel...I can't wait to read the next 34.
March 30, 2019
I struggled to enjoy this novel. I bought it because I have other unread novels by JC Oates, but noticed it was her first novel, and what better place to begin reading some of her work. I admit I approached it judgmentally, more like an English Major than just a reader. In any event, it was tough going.
What struck me first was how UN-likable her characters were......just about all of them, but particularly Karen and Shar. The pre-reading hype focused on Oates' ability to lucidly write of tragic, vengeful and violent relationships. Is there such a thing as "ugly prose"??
Oates' characters are constantly behaving badly, contradicting themselves and acting as hurtfully, self centeredly and arrogantly as possible. Long descriptive pages tried to explain their feelings, only to have them act unpredictably or strangely. Long parts of the story were like reading through a fog or veil, as events 'seemed' to happen, mixed with confusion and a lack of clarity. I kept having the feeling that Oates was just trying too hard. Rather than just letting her story naturally unfold and "tell itself", the novel was wrapped up in words, explanations and analyses.
I saw the greatness as a writer that Oates displayed. Some of her more lucid descriptions were awesome, clear and focused. The overall structure of the story and attention to detail were terrific. If anything, her sense of character development was too much in depth. As a first novel this was a stunning achievement.
But yet i hated the characters and the story was depressing and tragic. Perhaps Oates is at her best writing 'hard to swallow' prose. I'll find out in future reads, and I suppose it's not fair to judge a book harshly because it succeeds in being unpleasant. But I can't say it was so awful that I loved it! Like I asked above, Is there such a thing as "ugly prose"?
What struck me first was how UN-likable her characters were......just about all of them, but particularly Karen and Shar. The pre-reading hype focused on Oates' ability to lucidly write of tragic, vengeful and violent relationships. Is there such a thing as "ugly prose"??
Oates' characters are constantly behaving badly, contradicting themselves and acting as hurtfully, self centeredly and arrogantly as possible. Long descriptive pages tried to explain their feelings, only to have them act unpredictably or strangely. Long parts of the story were like reading through a fog or veil, as events 'seemed' to happen, mixed with confusion and a lack of clarity. I kept having the feeling that Oates was just trying too hard. Rather than just letting her story naturally unfold and "tell itself", the novel was wrapped up in words, explanations and analyses.
I saw the greatness as a writer that Oates displayed. Some of her more lucid descriptions were awesome, clear and focused. The overall structure of the story and attention to detail were terrific. If anything, her sense of character development was too much in depth. As a first novel this was a stunning achievement.
But yet i hated the characters and the story was depressing and tragic. Perhaps Oates is at her best writing 'hard to swallow' prose. I'll find out in future reads, and I suppose it's not fair to judge a book harshly because it succeeds in being unpleasant. But I can't say it was so awful that I loved it! Like I asked above, Is there such a thing as "ugly prose"?
January 26, 2025
This is a very good debut novel from my favorite writer. She packs a lot into 316 pages.
JCO's budding genius is on full display here. As with all Oates novels, it will benefit from a second or third reading as there is such depth and hidden meaning in her narratives. The narrative itself can be confusing and unclear in places, but that is because Oates has a lot to say about some interesting psychological concepts like individuation and Biblical parallels like God's commanding of Abraham to kill Isaac. Reading Greg Johnson's "Invisible Writer: A Biography of Joyce Carol Oates" was very helpful in discerning the full meaning of "With Shuddering Fall."
I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to Oates, but for established fans of hers, it is a very thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining read. I am looking forward to reading this one again at some point in the future.
JCO's budding genius is on full display here. As with all Oates novels, it will benefit from a second or third reading as there is such depth and hidden meaning in her narratives. The narrative itself can be confusing and unclear in places, but that is because Oates has a lot to say about some interesting psychological concepts like individuation and Biblical parallels like God's commanding of Abraham to kill Isaac. Reading Greg Johnson's "Invisible Writer: A Biography of Joyce Carol Oates" was very helpful in discerning the full meaning of "With Shuddering Fall."
I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to Oates, but for established fans of hers, it is a very thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining read. I am looking forward to reading this one again at some point in the future.
April 4, 2020
I love JCO, which is why I wanted to read her first novel. Despite the two-star rating I did finish the book but unfortunately there was nothing I liked about it . I do not recommend this book to anyone who has not read her before. That said, I’m glad I read it because it’s interesting to see how she started out, and how her writing has developed over the years.
February 23, 2023
Taken as an individual book, this was hard to follow and a little...disconcerting. But if you have read other works by Joyce Carol Oates and then read this one, knowing it was her first novel, it's actually pretty interesting. You can tell she is finding her voice, but all the emotions and themes are already in her, working their way out.
March 4, 2018
The first third of this book was fabulous, and then I genuinely could not follow the plot or understand anything happening with the characters. Karen was SO weird, and not in a regular Joyce Carol Oates way. I'm still glad that I read this book, though.
August 30, 2021
How far is JCO trying to imagine hormone-driven morons in an original way, and how far is she just honestly being one? (They can't tell love from hate!?)
I'll have to read more to see. If the years weren't wrong I'd suspect her of basing it on 'Badlands' with Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen.
I'll have to read more to see. If the years weren't wrong I'd suspect her of basing it on 'Badlands' with Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen.
April 26, 2022
I love JCO and aim to give everything of hers that is readily available a chance, and though this first novel started out strong with lots of foreboding atmosphere, it quickly devolved into general confusion with motives very difficult to understand.
September 24, 2022
Please do not think this is an indication of Oates future works, which are far superior. It's well-written, but the name "Shar" made me laugh, and the plot really does not have nearly as much substance as her other books. Second to "Beast", this is the worst Oates book I've read. Skip it!
October 29, 2018
Giving it one extra star just because I love JCO, but ugh. Not one likable character in the book and the main characters are particularly dreadful. I just couldn't enjoy it. Any of it.
April 7, 2019
Audible
August 26, 2019
Tough book to start. Started two times before I could continue. It did get better but still not a good book.
August 27, 2020
3 1/2 *s
September 7, 2020
Promising writing (I will definitely read more Joyce Carol Oates) but I struggled to connect with the plot.
December 19, 2020
While Oates has beautiful descriptions of places and events, I felt somewhat lost over the plot. Only a personal preference, I needed a bit more understanding of the characters motivations.
April 1, 2023
A typical "contemporary literature" offering -- overwhelming interior anguish only peripherally related to thin plot. No characters to like or identify with, especially the protagonist
April 9, 2024
My very first JCO read today.
Well, maybe I read the story that became Smooth Talk a few years ago.
This one was rather disturbing and crazy, sorta like life is.
Well, maybe I read the story that became Smooth Talk a few years ago.
This one was rather disturbing and crazy, sorta like life is.
January 13, 2016
This was the first book published by Joyce Carol Oates when she was 26 years old and am I ever glad to be finished with it. The psychologically tortured characters were odd and strange and much of the reasoning for their weird behavior was not fully explained. I got stuck in the middle and had to speed read my way through the muck and mire. Very dark crazy stuff. The writing was not the polished prose of her more recent books although this definitely foreshadowed her writing to come . . . much of the dark mood and subject matter is what you could call ‘Oatesian’.
According to biographer Greg Johnson in the book “Invisible Writer”, the female protagonist in this story is autobiographical to which I say 'wow'. Which assertion points out to me the immense impact that the neighboring country people in upstate New York had on a young impressionable Joyce in her growing up years. These violent and volatile country people turn up quite a bit in her fiction. They were a crude and rough farmer sort who contrasted sharply with her own loving parents. It is a FACT that Oates writes from personal experience and what she observes from life happening around her.
Joyce has even said that everything in “With Shuddering Fall” is “very strictly parallel” to the Bible story of Abraham and Isaac. She called it “a religious work.” That was one reason that I was enticed into reading this book in the first place but I did not see that parallel at all. Someone is going to have to further explain that one to me.
According to biographer Greg Johnson in the book “Invisible Writer”, the female protagonist in this story is autobiographical to which I say 'wow'. Which assertion points out to me the immense impact that the neighboring country people in upstate New York had on a young impressionable Joyce in her growing up years. These violent and volatile country people turn up quite a bit in her fiction. They were a crude and rough farmer sort who contrasted sharply with her own loving parents. It is a FACT that Oates writes from personal experience and what she observes from life happening around her.
Joyce has even said that everything in “With Shuddering Fall” is “very strictly parallel” to the Bible story of Abraham and Isaac. She called it “a religious work.” That was one reason that I was enticed into reading this book in the first place but I did not see that parallel at all. Someone is going to have to further explain that one to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews