Joyce Carol Oates discussion

So far, everything I've read has earned at least 3 stars from me. Was wondering what books other Oates fans didn't like very much.

I didn't like A Fair Maiden, but I listened to it on audio and that might've made the difference. Also Missing Mom - but probably didn't give it enough time. I will give JCO the benefit of the doubt! (-:

It took me a while to get into Missing Mom, but after that I really liked it. I haven't read Fair Maiden and really don't know anything about it.

I liked some more than others, but never one that I disliked. I guess my least favorite was The Assassins. I found it a bit slow.

I didn't enjoy Zombie. Even though I read a ton of true crime, trying to take in the point of view of a serial killer was just too disturbing. JCO did a great job writing from that perspective, but it was too much for me.

I couldn't get into the collection of short stories titled Sourland, but I didn't even read half the stories to be fair

A Widow's Story. I liked it, but it was heavy. It gave me a lot of insight into her as a person.

I've never read one I disliked. Some are better than others but she writes on an impressively high level of quality, especially when the amounts of books she writes is taken into consideration.

I concur on Zombie. Well written, but it felt very clinical, almost like a writing exercise. And admittedly, the subject matter was unappealing to me.

I liked Zombie, but I didn't think it was the "masterpiece" that I'd heard it was, and there were some parts that were a bit hard on the stomach.

I didn't love We Were the Mulvaneys. It wasn't awful and it has various redeeming qualities, it just didn't quite have the darkness that I've come to expect and love from Oates.

It was really a commercial hit, not typical JCO. For what it was, it was good. Great character study about family that turns her back on the girl. I loved Saint Maybe, and that was kind of the same...what happens to someone when things go awry...that is JCO, right? (-: Anyone read My Sister, My Love? Have on my kindle. Very interested in true crime type things so I thought I would like it since its based on the JB Ramsey case.

Thank you!

What I have found with JCO, either you are a fan or you're not. A friend of mine loves her, but not her gothic stuff. I am so possessed and immersed when I read anything by her, no matter what it is. Probably favorite of all time is The The Falls.

Thanks for the comments - looks like I'll have to put The Falls and My Sister My Love at the top of my reading list ;-)

I really don't think so.... can't remember disliking any of them. Some I have loved more than others, but nope...not a dislike in the bunch!! :)

I disliked Mudwoman and the so- called historical vampire novel (I forget the title, it's fairly recent). Sometimes, the books just don't hit the mark. Also not a big fan of Son of the Morning and Black Girl/White Girl. When you've read most of her humongous oeuvre some books are bound to fall flat. But I love most of her work. Blonde is a masterpiece. Them, The The Tattooed Girl, Foxfire, Missing Mom, The Falls, Wonderland, A Widow's Story. Love them all.

Some I have enjoyed much more than others, but I couldn't say I disliked anything I read of hers. There may have been one or two I have read and afterwards thought, what was that? But that's not a bad thing!

Diana wrote: "Some I have enjoyed much more than others, but I couldn't say I disliked anything I read of hers. There may have been one or two I have read and afterwards thought, what was that? But that's not a ..."

True; even her lesser works are worth reading.

I second the disappointment with Sourland. Most of her short stories are brilliant, but Sourland didn't appeal to me. Zombie, while the subject matter may be bizarre and obscene, is brilliant. Judging by the number of JCO readers who mention this, over On Boxing, with strong comment indicates the powerful writing.

I find some of her short stories hard to get into. I think she is better at writing novels, but that's just my personal opinion.

I couldn't get into Bellefleur. I concur with what others have written here about Zombie. My fave JCO works are Foxfire, and the collection Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque. There is a story in this collection about Thanksgiving that I will never forget. I also really liked What I Lived For, We Were the Mulvaneys, Them, Beasts, and American Appetites.

I love that people also talk about favorites on this feed. Now I'll have to pick up Haunted! Currently reading Evil Eye right now, not quite sure how I feel about it. Story 1 didn't quite do it for me.

I love that people also talk about favorites on this feed. Now I'll have to pick up Haunted! Currently reading Evil Eye right now, not quite sure how I feel about it. Story 1 didn't quite do it for me.

Hi all

I am new to this group and enjoy the comments. I just finished "What I live for " and thinks it is one of her best. Still think however the Falls is outstanding

I find most of her books are about self destruction - ever owing to the environment all by ones own actions the above two books being good examples of this

alex

Just what I'm looking for with the darkness of fall closing in. Perfect. Maybe Evil Eye will have to wait...I don't know if anyone has read that but the short story, Evil Eye, just didn't resonate with me....