Scan barcode
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I can’t quite figure what I read in this book. It certainly disappointed me in multiple ways. I loved Mudwoman so much that I’ve been hoping to find another of those author’s that was equally as compelling. I keep trying and failing. I thought this one was going to be close, but just when I thought it was going to be good, it dropped into a chasm that made me want to DNF it. I kind of wish I had. It was a long book to slog through with very little payoff. And the characters were all disgusting aside from the doctor at the very beginning - for him, I only feel pity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
craftbuzz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
beefmaster's review against another edition
4.0
Two of the five children are a bit too sketchy, considering that two others are so wonderfully, sharply defined and expanded and filled in. Kind of wish this had been focused exclusively on the widow, as this is where Oates absolutely shines. I couldn't help but think of Oates herself, widowed recently. This is not Oates in her Gothic mode, despite the metal-sounding title; rather is her in meditative mode: what is grief and how do we grieve?
mcrammal's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It took me a bit to really immerse myself in the writing style but I eventually found the story to be really engaging. You don’t really root for anyone too much; everyone is so flawed, you sometimes find yourself irritated with the character’s decisions, actions, and personalities. It made the story feel much more realistic, as if Joyce Carol Oates had randomly selected a real life family and wrote down what she saw. This book also helps with the coping of death, how natural it is and how life moves on and eventually happiness can be found, even if you don’t go back to the person you once were.
pattiillbee11's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure what to say about this one. I came close to putting it down about half way through but it kept pulling me back. I still can't say that I liked it. Too many characters, too spread out, unfocused but there is a good book in there somewhere.
clarbineds's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book even though I was not sure I was going to complete it after a few pages. Luckily the story kicked into gear in my Covid brain because I was completely on board. I did not like the characters- well, I didn't mind the younger 2-until nearly halfway through the book.
(I'll try to get back to finish this tomorrow)
(I'll try to get back to finish this tomorrow)
sugarlife's review against another edition
3.0
Note this book mat be triggering for suicidal ideation and toxic masculinity.
I enjoyed many of the characters though their personalities were exaggerated - it would have been interesting to learn about the development of their varying personalities
I enjoyed many of the characters though their personalities were exaggerated - it would have been interesting to learn about the development of their varying personalities
jimmyscott_31's review against another edition
4.0
oof this took a while BUT I DID IT - my first finished book of 2022!
that’s not to say this book was bad, but more to highlight how bad of a reading slump I had found myself in!
this was a brilliant book - funny, poetic, haunting, surprising!
i can’t wait to jump into other Joyce Carol Oates stories … this is my first, but won’t be my last!
that’s not to say this book was bad, but more to highlight how bad of a reading slump I had found myself in!
this was a brilliant book - funny, poetic, haunting, surprising!
i can’t wait to jump into other Joyce Carol Oates stories … this is my first, but won’t be my last!
thaynes31's review against another edition
4.0
Its not a bad book the writing style isn't my favorite I like a little more dialogue in my books. That being said I do not think the book would have been good if we were not just listening to the inner workings of this family. Not going to lie none of these characters has a redeeming quality. They mostly focus on themselves and how the world works against them. Whoa is me kind of feel but at the same time they are going thru something that is dramatic and does take a toil on a person that will up heave your life. It would be interesting to see what these people were like before although I do not think they would be much different. Overall four stars it did lose my interest in one very long, seemingly pointless, part in the middle otherwise would have been five stars.